Broccoli is one of Nature’s great cancer fighting foods.

All of the cruciferous vegetables, better known as the cabbage family, contain compounds that fight cancer and modulate hormones.

Human studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables can help to reduce the risk of lung, stomach, colorectal, prostate, cervical and bladder cancers.

The cabbage family includes Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprout, and Kale. One of the most valuable components of these food plants is called sulphoraphanes, such as DIM (Di indole methane) and I3C (Indole 3 carbinol) and another sulphur rich compound called glucosinolate.

Broccoli, Kale and Broccoli sprouts have the highest concentration of these compounds.

How do they work???

Detoxification: These compounds act in the detoxification pathways of the liver. When we are exposed to environmental toxins and chemicals it is the job of the liver to transform toxic chemicals into forms that can be easily removed and excreted from the body through the stool and the urine.

Antioxidant: Additionally sullphoraphanes have potent antioxidant effects protecting our skin, the retina of the eye (our vision), the linings of our blood vessels and joints from free radical oxidation damage.

Anti Inflammation: Sulphoraphanes have potent anti-inflammatory effects reducing levels of the COX-2 enzymes, which are elevated in arthritis and many cancers.

Hormone Metabolism: Sulphoraphanes also help us to metabolize our own hormones properly decreasing the cancer promoting effects of estrogens in both men and women.

Anti Cancer: Why are sulphoraphanes so effective in treating and preventing cancer? Because all of the above factors are implicated in cancer development and progression. Even the National Cancer Institute recognizes the potent value of sulphoraphanes in these food plants and has devoted several human studies to understanding how they work.