These conditions have been found to benefit from broccoli sprout extract and improvement of detoxification pathways.
The Chinese medicine way of thinking suggests liver support when there are issues with chronic irritability, digestion problems, inflammation, etc. When the liver is burdened, circulation is inhibited, eyes and connective tissues are not well nourished, fluid and inflammation builds up. This effects brain function, mood, digestion, and contributes to pain. Notice in the image below, all of the sulphur containing compounds that aid detoxification of the liver (cruciferous vegetables, garlic, onions, and amino acids/building blocks of protein).
What is so special about broccoli sprout extract?
Vegetables in the brassica (cruciferous) family contain ‘Sulforaphane’, a chemical that stimulates the body’s natural ability to fight cancer. More than twenty years ago, scientists discovered that certain vegetables have the power to prevent cancer. This was a significant finding because it indicated that people could reduce their risk of cancer by eating, or not eating, certain foods. In 1992, a team of researches found a possible explanation for the anticancer power. They then made an unexpected discovery, 3 day old Broccoli Sprouts contained up to 100 times the level of Sulforaphane found in mature Broccoli.
How does Sulforaphane fight cancer?
Scientific research suggests that Sulforaphane induces enzymes which deactivate carcinogens (cancer causing compounds) and free radicals, and induces phase 2 detoxification, enhancing the body’s own defense system against cancer-causing chemicals (16,17).
Show us the research!
Cancer and Sulphurophane
Pancreatic and prostate cancer research indicates that broccoli sprout extract does not interfere with chemotherapy, it enhanced it, and induces cancer cell death (1-5).
Sulphurophane inhibits breast cancer stem cells (6).
Sulphurophane inhibit antibiotic resistant strains of H pylori, associated with stomach cancer (7,10,11).
Broccoli sprouts inhibit bladder cancer (8).
It protects against skin cancer and upper airway disorders (9, 12).
Broccoli seed extract has no reported adverse reactions noted in liver or thyroid function tests (15).
Consumption of broccoli sprouts were associated with increased aflalotoxin elimination, a cancer causing compound found in moldy foods (14).
Broccoli sprouts enhanced antiviral host defense/natural killer cell production (18).
Purchase organic broccoli sprout powder here and save 10% when you use the coupon code: DRJONES10
Autism
Individuals randomized to take broccoli sprout extract showed improvements in behavior and social responsiveness, with a significant decrease in irritability, and hyperactivity. Over the course of the 18-week study, there was a significant increase in communication and an overall improvement on severity of complaints. Many parents and caregivers articulated the positive effects both during the intervention phase and in the ensuing 3 years. At the conclusion of this study, many parents or caregivers expressed interest in their sons continual consumption of broccoli sprout extract (19).
Alzheimer's and Traumatic Brain Injury
Sulphurophane was found to ameliorate cognitive impairment and protect against the increment deposition of amyloid plaque in the brains of Alzheimer's disease model mice (21).
Make a healthy shot using organic broccoli sprout powder.
References
Fan, P, et al. Continuous exposure of pancreatic cancer cells to dietary bioactive agents does not induce drug resistance unlike chemotherapy. Cell Death & Disease volume 7, page 22-46 (2016).
Kallifatidis G, et al. Sulforaphane targets pancreatic tumour-initiating cells by NF-kappaB induced antiapoptotic signalling. Gut. 2009, 58: 949-963.
Rausch V, et al. Synergistic activity of sorafenib and sulforaphane abolishes pancreatic cancer stem cell characteristics. Cancer Res. 2010, 70: 5004-5013.
Kallifatidis G, et al. Sulforaphane increases drug-mediated cytotoxicity towards cancer stem-like cells of pancreas and prostate. Mol Ther. 2011, 19: 188-195.
Abdulah R, Faried A, Kobayashi K, et al. Selenium enrichment of broccoli sprout extract increases chemosensitivity and apoptosis of LNCaP prostate cancer cells. BMC Cancer. 2009;9:414.
Li Y, Zhang T, Korkaya H, et al. Sulforaphane, a dietary component of broccoli/broccoli sprouts, inhibits breast cancer stem cells. Clin Cancer Res. 2010;16(9):2580-2590.
Fahey JW, Haristoy X, Dolan PM, et al. Sulforaphane inhibits extracellular, intracellular, and antibiotic-resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori and prevents benzo[a]pyrene-induced stomach tumors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. May 28 2002;99(11):7610-7615.
Munday R, Mhawech-Fauceglia P, Munday CM, et al. Inhibition of urinary bladder carcinogenesis by broccoli sprouts. Cancer Res. Mar 1 2008;68(5):1593-1600.
Talalay P, Fahey JW, Healy ZR, et al. Sulforaphane mobilizes cellular defenses that protect skin against damage by UV radiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Oct 30 2007;104(44):17500-17505.
Moon JK, Kim JR, Ahn YJ, Shibamoto T. Analysis and anti-Helicobacter activity of sulforaphane and related compounds present in broccoli ( Brassica oleracea L.) sprouts. J Agric Food Chem. Jun 9 2010;58(11):6672-6677.
Yanaka A, Fahey JW, Fukumoto A, et al. Dietary sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts reduce colonization and attenuate gastritis in Helicobacter pylori-infected mice and humans.Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa). Apr 2009;2(4):353-360.
Riedl MA, Saxon A, Diaz-Sanchez D. Oral sulforaphane increases Phase II antioxidant enzymes in the human upper airway. Clin Immunol. 2009;130(3):244-251.
Hoelzl C, Glatt H, Meinl W, et al. Consumption of Brussels sprouts protects peripheral human lymphocytes against 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and oxidative DNA-damage: results of a controlled human intervention trial. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008;52(3):330-341.
Kensler TW, Chen JG, Egner PA, et al. Effects of glucosinolate-rich broccoli sprouts on urinary levels of aflatoxin-DNA adducts and phenanthrene tetraols in a randomized clinical trial in He Zuo township, Qidong, People’s Republic of China. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2005;14(11 Pt 1):2605-2613.
Shapiro TA, Fahey JW, Dinkova-Kostova AT, et al. Safety, tolerance, and metabolism of broccoli sprout glucosinolates and isothiocyanates: a clinical phase I study. Nutr Cancer. 2006;55(1):53-62.
Park EJ, Pezzuto JM. Botanicals in cancer chemoprevention. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2002;21(3-4):231-255.
Clarke JD, Dashwood RH, Ho E. Multi-targeted prevention of cancer by sulforaphane. Cancer Lett.2008;269(2):291-304.
Muller L, Meyer M, Bauer RN, et al. Effect of Broccoli Sprouts and Live Attenuated Influenza Virus on Peripheral Blood Natural Killer Cells: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study. PLoS One.2016;11(1):e0147742.
Lynch, R, et al. Sulforaphane from Broccoli Reduces Symptoms of Autism: A Follow-up Case Series from a Randomized Double-blind Study. Global Advances in Health and Medicine. October 26, 2017
Zhang, R et al. Sulforaphane Ameliorates Neurobehavioral Deficits and Protects the Brain From Amyloid β Deposits and Peroxidation in Mice With Alzheimer-Like Lesions. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias® .Vol 30, Issue 2, pp. 183 - 191
Zhang, J et al. Beneficial Effects of Sulforaphane Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease May Be Mediated through Reduced HDAC1/3 and Increased P75NTR Expression. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2017; 9: 121.
Dr Tiffanie A Jones is passionate about empowering others with information and preventative care approaches. Click here to schedule a Naturopathic consult with Dr Jones or call 314-647-3999