Former President George H. W. Bush famously declared his dislike for broccoli. He isn't alone in his refusal to eat "little trees," but he and other Americans can still derive some of broccoli's protective benefits through a dietary supplement and tea called SGS.
What Is SGS?
Broccoli and cruciferous veggies are abundant in compounds called sulforaphane, shown to provide protective benefits to colon and other cells. Sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) is the precursor to sulforaphane found in broccoli, and this substance is most abundant and potent in broccoli sprouts.
SGS functions as an indirect antioxidant, accelerating the activity of the phase II detoxification enzymes. According to researcher Paul Talalay, MD, phase II enzymes "act as a defense mechanism, triggering broad-spectrum antioxidant activity that neutralizes many free radicals, cycling over and over again before they can cause the cell damage that may cause mutations, leading to cancer." He adds that the effects of these indirect antioxidants remain even after they have left the body.
Dr. Talalay and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins discovered sulforaphane in broccoli and continue to research the compound. More than 200 peer-reviewed studies have examined the efficacy of SGS in specific health areas, and it shows particular benefits for colorectal cancer.
Promising Research
Colorectal is the fourth most common cancer for men and women in the U.S. In most cases, this type of cancer develops from a polyp, or a growth of tissue into the center of the colon or rectum. One type of polyp-known as adenoma-can become cancerous. More than 95 percent of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas. Age, male gender, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking are linked to higher incidence of colorectal cancer.
In one cell line study, researchers found that sulforaphane significantly reduced the proliferation of colon cancer cells. Another study looked at how sulforaphane affected genetic disposition to cancerous colon polyps in animals: Supplementation with the broccoli compound decreased the number of polyps and reduced tumor proliferation compared to a control group. An in vitro study showed that sulforaphane both activated detoxifying enzymes as well as induced apoptosis, which is a mechanism of cellular "suicide" and, therefore, a desirable action to bring about in cancer cells.
While the pathways of protection by sulforaphane against the development of colorectal cancer are complex, SGS appears to activate a family of enzymes to seek and destroy potential carcinogens in the body and induce rogue cells that are potentially cancerous to self destruct. Supplements aren't meant to replace a healthy diet, but the protective phytochemicals in broccoli (and other cruciferous veggies) and broccoli sprouts are also available in tea and dietary supplements. With a growing body of research supporting the protective effects of sulphoraphane and SGS, even our former president may reconsider broccoli, at least in dietary supplement form!
Cancer Screening
Colonoscopy, a pictorial probe of the large intestine, can be an uncomfortable experience-starting with the intense bowel cleansing regimen that must be undertaken beforehand. However, it might save your life.
Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for everyone 50 years and better, along with younger individuals with a family history or increased risk of the disease. Why? Cure rates are high when this form of cancer is detected and treated early, but dramatically lower once the cancer has spread. During an exam, be sure your practitioner takes her time-a recent study of 12 highly experienced board-certified gastroenterologists found that some were 10 times better than others at finding adenomas. Researchers discovered that those who slowed down found more polyps.
American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org "Cancer chemoprevention of intestinal polypsosis in ApcMin/+ mice by sulforaphane . . ." by R. Hu et al., Carcinogenesis, 10/06 "Colonoscopy in colorectal-cancer screening for detection of advanced neoplasia" by J. Regula et al., N Engl J Med, 11/06 "Geographic variation in the incidence of colorectal cancer in the United States, 1998-2001" by S. M. Lai et al., Cancer, 9/06 "Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring isothiocyanate, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HT29 human colon cancer cells" by L. Gamet-Payrastre et al., Cancer Res, 3/00 "Sulforaphane inhibits growth of a colon cancer cell line" by H. R. Frydoonfar et al., Colorectal Dis, 1/04
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