Helpful Hints

Amazing Broccoli:

When Grandmother said to eat your
vegetables, she really knew what she
was talking about! Researchers at the
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in
Batimore have isolated what they call
a "Chemoprotectant" for cancer from
a vegetable. (A chemoprotectant is a
substance which gives protection against
disease to those who eat it.)

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli,
brussels sprouts, and cabbage have long
been felt to offer this protection. Now,
the specific substance in broccoli that
gives protection from cancer has been
identified. It is called sulforaphane.

Researchers say sulforaphane is possibly
the most potent cancer protecting agent
yet discovered! Molecular pharma-
cologist Paul Talalay reported, in the
"Proceedings ot the National Academy
of Sciences", on how the sulforaphane
in broccoli actually stimulates the body's
cells to produce cancer fighting enzymes.

This chemoprotectant remains in broccoli
after careful cooking. Studies have not yet
shown if, or how sulforaphane directly
blocks tumor formation, but researchers
feel the evidence is strong enough to
provide a scientific basis for including
vegetables like broccoli in the diet.