For our last blog of 2011, I wanted to focus one more time on sulforaphane, a potent phytonutrient found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts, which is also the active ingredient in our new formula, Cell Protect. If you’re anything like me, you’ve had your share of holiday-related treats and feel like the new year should start with a time of detoxification! Below are a few interesting results related to detoxification from studies done on sulforaphane:

• Sulforaphane helps to activate “phase 2” detoxification enzymes in the liver, which are responsible for detoxifying many harmful compounds including carcinogens.
• Consumption of a drink containing broccoli sprouts, one of the richest sources of sulforaphane, was found to increase the rate at which the body is able to detoxify airborne pollutants known to cause cancer.
• Sulforaphane protects against injury to the liver caused by lack of oxygen.
• Sulforaphane has been found (in animal studies) to protect against liver damage caused by chemotherapy drugs when taken for three days prior to chemotherapy.
• Sulforaphane protects liver mitochondria (the energy producing parts of cells) from damage even in the presence of toxins and free radicals.

Last week we discussed the effects of sulforaphane on breast health, so this week I thought it would be important to include info for men! Below are the results of a few interesting studies surrounding prostate health and sulforaphane, a phytonutrient found in broccoli sprouts that is also the active ingredient in Cell Protect.

• Sulforaphane, along with other phytonutrients such as curcumin from turmeric and EGCG from green tea, may act as a barrier to prostate cancer and help to make anti-cancer drugs more effective.
• Sulforaphane and other sulfur-rich plant compounds, such as those found in garlic, were able to reduce the survival rates and proliferation of prostate cancer cells.
• Sulforaphane is turning out to be an important cancer preventive agent because of its ability to target cancerous prostate cells by encouraging their destruction while supporting the health of normal prostate cells. This ability is one of the most important factors in determining whether a compound is safe and clinically relevant for cancer prevention.
• Sulforaphane has been found to target rogue genetic patterns that lead to cancerous growth in the prostate and colon. So many studies have confirmed this fact, that nutrition-minded scientists are becoming excited about the potential for high-risk prostate cancer patients to increase survival rates simply by eating cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli and broccoli sprouts.
• Sulforaphane has also been found to target androgen receptors in prostate cancer cells. This is very important for enlarged prostates and prostate cancer caused by hormone imbalance.
• The way that sulforaphane is thought to work is two-fold:
  1.     It increases the genetic expression of enzymes in the cells that are responsible for protection of the cell.
  2.    It increases the activation of enzymes responsible for detoxification of carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.

This week I wanted to highlight the results of an interesting study that came from Johns Hopkins University regarding breast cancer and sulforaphane, the active ingredient in Cell Protect.

• The study as performed in 2007 and is titled “Preclinical and clinical evaluation of sulforaphane for chemoprevention in the breast.” Tantalizing title, I know!
• Researchers studied sulforaphane, a plant nutrient found in cruciferous vegetables—particularly broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. It is commonly known that people who consume higher amounts of these types of vegetables tend to experience a lower risk of cancer. This study was designed to see if sulforaphane had specific activity against breast cancer.
• The initial study was performed on rats (who have an uncomfortably similar metabolism to humans) and found that giving a single oral dose of sulforaphane was enough to change gene expression toward cancer prevention in breast tissue.
• A subsequent study was performed on eight healthy women who were undergoing breast reductions, which confirmed the above findings—an oral dose of sulforaphane directly targets breast tissue and can encourage gene expression toward breast cancer prevention.

• The way that sulforaphane is thought to work is two-fold:
  It increases the genetic expression of enzymes in the cells that are responsible for protection of the cell.
  It increases the activation of enzymes responsible for detoxification of carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.