Cancer Prevention Eat Your Cabbage
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Disease Illness.
Cancer Prevention: Eat Your Cabbage?
Can Cruciferous Vegetables Protect Against Lung Cancer?
Research suggests that incorporating broccoli and cabbage into your diet might offer protection against lung cancer. According to a study published in the October 29, 2005, issue of the British medical journal, Lancet, there is a potential link between these vegetables and cancer prevention.
A Significant Study
This is not the first time cruciferous vegetables have been linked to cancer prevention, but it is the most extensive study to date. Previous smaller studies hinted at such a connection but were not considered conclusive. Researchers from the Genetic Epidemiology Group at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, conducted the study across the Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia?"countries known for high consumption of vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
The study compared 2,141 people diagnosed with lung cancer to a group of healthy individuals and found protective effects with at least weekly consumption of these vegetables.
The Science Behind the Benefits
The potential cancer-preventive properties of cruciferous vegetables are thought to stem from their high content of isothiocyanates, phytonutrients with strong anti-cancer effects. These compounds, a bioavailable form of glucosinolates, are believed to play a key role in neutralizing cancerous cells by inhibiting their proliferation.
Typically, normal cells go through a life cycle involving division, specialization, and eventually apoptosis (cell death) when they're damaged or have completed their function. Cancer cells, however, often bypass this cycle. Isothiocyanates appear to act as catalysts for apoptosis, helping trigger cell death in cancerous cells. Laboratory experiments have shown these compounds can induce apoptosis in various cell lines and slow the proliferation of multiple types of cancer cells, including lung cancer.
Genetic Factors
The study also explored the genetic aspects of this protective effect. Two specific genes produce an enzyme that clears isothiocyanates from the body. In their analysis, the researchers linked dietary habits with blood tests to identify whether participants had active or inactive forms of these genes.
The findings revealed that individuals with an inactive variant of one gene had a 37% reduced risk of developing lung cancer, while those with an inactive variant of the other gene had a 33% lower risk. Remarkably, individuals with both genes inactive experienced a 72% reduction in lung cancer risk. Conversely, those with active gene types saw no change in risk.
Lead author Paul Brennan remarked, "This indicates a specific protective effect against lung cancer from cruciferous vegetables."
Recommendations
While random trials to conclusively confirm these findings would be costly and time-consuming, Brennan suggests incorporating cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or turnips into your diet at least once a week as a potential way to reduce lung cancer risk.
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