Broccoli Extract Attacks Cancer Cells?
A component of broccoli, and of other vegetables in what is called the “cruciferous” group of veggies, has been isolated and determined to have some pretty serious cancer killing and preventive capabilities when it comes to mutated cells that become cancerous.
Broccoli extract has shown anti cancer activity in lab studies. It not only has the ability to seek out and destroy cancerous cells, but it also leaves normal, healthy cells alone, unlike the very invasive chemotherapy which is still the treatment of choice for most cancers.
The extract which comes from broccoli is called sulforphane, which gives broccoli, and other veggies like it the distinct smell when it cooks. Cabbage and cauliflower also contain this extract, and they also have that somewhat unpleasant smell released from them when they are heated.
While eating broccoli has long been considered a great health habit for its many nutrients, this may be yet another reason to add fresh broccoli into the mix of your daily meals. I like to eat it almost nightly. I make it fresh (it’s great, our grocer has fresh broccoli in bags, already cut up).
I also add some other veggies in there, and lightly steam it. Broccoli is delicious, and versatile as well. We usually will just put a little butter on it with a tiny bit of olive oil, rounding it out with a healthy dose of omega 3′s to boot, so it can give a kick in the pants to any unhealthy cells that might be forming in our bodies!
The unique ability of this sulforphane to selectively target and destroy only cancer cells is what makes it appear to have such great potential for cancer treatment.
For some reason, this extract has been particularly helpful in targeting and destroying a specific type of cancer cell – those in the bladder as well as the prostate, so those may be areas where the studies are concentrated.
It is not clear as to what types of exact benefits it may give for other cancer locations, but if it targets cancer cells in one area, it likely is a benefit for everyone to add to their diet, current cancer patients as well as healthy individuals as a preventive alternative medicine.