Life Extension Update Exclusive

Vegetable compound fights hereditary cancers

A study conducted at Rutgers University found that an isothiocyanate compound known as sulforaphane (SFN) that occurs in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower may help lower the risk of developing hereditary cancers. The research was published online on May 4, 2006, in the journal Carcinogenesis.

Since the compound had previously been shown to help prevent the development of some chemically-induced cancers, researchers involved in the current study sought to determine whether sulforaphane could also inhibit cancers arising from one’s genetic makeup. Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy professor of pharmaceutics, Ah-Ng Tony Kong and his colleagues used mice bred with a mutation that switches off a tumor suppressor gene known as APC, leading to the spontaneous development of intestinal polyps. APC is the same gene that is inactivated in the majority of human colon cancers. The team fed one group of animals diets supplemented with 300 parts per million (ppm) of sulforaphane, and a second group received 600 ppm for three weeks. A control group of mice from the same strain received unsupplemented diets.

At the end of the three week period, mice who received the diet enhanced with the lower dose sulforaphane had 25 fewer polyps, and those who received the higher dose had 47 percent fewer polyps than the control mice. In addition, tumors were smaller with higher apoptotic and lower proliferative indices in the intestines of the mice that received sulforaphane. The researchers found that sulforaphane suppressed enzymes known as kinases that are expressed in mice and humans with colon cancer.

"Our research has substantiated the connection between diet and cancer prevention, and it is now clear that the expression of cancer-related genes can be influenced by chemopreventive compounds in the things we eat," Dr Kong stated.

"Our study corroborates the notion that SFN has chemopreventive activity. Based on these findings, we feel SFN should be evaluated clinically for its chemopreventive potential in human patients with APC related colon cancers," Dr Kong recommended.

Health Concern

Cancer prevention

Cancer is a disease caused by genetic mutation. Most people have a difficult time grasping the molecular complexities of genes and their relationship to cancer. To bring this down to the simplest level, the following definition from the New England Journal of Medicine (Haber 2000) should enable lay persons to understand how genes are intimately involved in cancer processes: "Cancer results from the accumulation of mutations in genes that regulate cellular proliferation."

The first line of defense against the many carcinogens in the human diet is agents that prevent gene mutation. Many antimutagenic agents have been identified in fruits and vegetables, the most potent being the indole-3-carbinols, the chlorophylls, and chlorophyllin (Negishi et al. 1997). The traditional dietary antioxidants should be considered only as a secondary line of defense against cancer because it is more important to inactivate or neutralize carcinogens in the first place than to try to protect the cells and proteins downstream from their effects. Chlorophyllin is the modified, water-soluble form of chlorophyll that has been tested as an antimutagenic agent for more than 20 years.

Because the accumulation of gene mutations is the underlying cause of cancer and a host of other diseases, it appears logical to add chlorophyllin to one's supplement program. Chlorophyllin is an antioxidant that quenches a wide variety of reactive oxygen species and exhibits a multitude of anticancer effects at very low doses.

https://www.lifeextension.com/protocols

Featured Products

Chloroplex Formula (Vegetable Extract Complex) Capsules Chloroplex contains a variety of carotenoids and other plant extracts that can protect against DNA mutation and enhance cardiovascular and ocular health. Chloroplex also contains chlorophyll, an antioxidant and DNA protectant. In addition, chlorophyll has the ability to neutralize aflatoxins, produced by the Aspergillus flavus mold that grows on corn and peanuts. While vitamin A and beta-carotene can neutralize aflatoxins to some degree, chlorophyll is much more effective. https://www.lifeextension.com/vitamins-supplements/item02270/dna-protection-formula

Dual-Action Cruciferous Vegetable Extract The glucosinolates are major constituents of cruciferous vegetables that have been shown to promote normal apoptosis and induce the expression of the beneficial p53 gene via an estrogen-independent action. Watercress contains isothiocyanates, but in a broader spectrum than does broccoli. The primary isothiocyanate precursor (PEiTC) in watercress functions via four specific mechanisms to maintain healthy cell division. An extract from rosemary enhance liver metabolism of estradiol and estrone, inhibits the formation of DNA adducts, and have been shown to impede estrogen-induced growth promotion in certain tissues. Based on a growing body of evidence that cruciferous vegetable extracts (in addition to I3C) provide bountiful health benefits, Life Extension has reformulated its I3C supplements to more closely resemble what one would obtain from a vegetable-rich diet. https://www.lifeextension.com/newshop/items/item00809.html

New online information on health concerns

Life Extension has newly updated its information for the following health concerns:

Asthma

Complementary Alternative Cancer Therapies

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

If you have questions or comments concerning this issue or past issues of Life Extension Update, send them to ddye@lifeextension.com or call 1-800-678-8989.

For longer life,

Dayna Dye
Editor, Life Extension Update
ddye@lifeextension.com
954 766 8433 extension 7716

Sign up for Life Extension Update at https://mycart.lifeextension.com/subscribe.asp

Help spread the good news about living longer and healthier. Forward this email to a friend!

View previous issues of Life Extension Update in the Newsletter Archive.