| Earlier clinical and laboratory studies have shown | | | | effect on normal prostate tissue and it is only |
| that sulforaphane, a compound that occurs in | | | | when prostate cells become pre-cancerous or |
| significant quantities in mustard, wasabi (and | | | | fully malignant that it manifests its cancer fighting |
| cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels | | | | properties. This is an attribute known as |
| sprouts and others) has unique and highly | | | | pathological-activated-therapy (PAT) and is a rare |
| effective anticancer activities. | | | | and valuable asset when it comes to the search |
| Although sulforaphane has shown strong activity | | | | for bioactive compounds with therapeutic |
| against respiratory diseases and malignancies such | | | | potential. |
| as cancers of the lung, breast, stomach and colon, | | | | Sulforaphane works its therapeutic magic on |
| the research spotlight has once again focused on | | | | abnormal prostate tissue in two ways: |
| its role as a potential treatment and preventive | | | | 1) It stimulates the activation of alternative gene |
| agent for prostate cancer. | | | | splicing mechanisms so that normal, fully functional |
| Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent | | | | PTEN genes can be formed during cell division and |
| cancers in the west and accounts for the annual | | | | the creation of new DNA strands. |
| death of over 25,000 men in the USA alone. | | | | 2) It stimulates the expression of existing PTEN |
| Although early detection and treatment are the | | | | genes that, for various reasons, have been |
| mainstays of the management of this scourge, | | | | inactivated. |
| medical scientists are turning their attentions to | | | | By means of these two mechanisms this |
| safe, food based compounds that demonstrate | | | | compound has the remarkable ability to actually |
| strong cancer fighting properties. | | | | stimulate the repair of damaged DNA as well as |
| Writing in the journal, Molecular Cancer, Scientists | | | | switch on previously inactive cancer-fighting genes. |
| at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in | | | | Sulforaphane has two other attributes that makes |
| the United Kingdom have published a paper that | | | | the daily consumption of this spice-derived |
| describes the phenomenal ways in which | | | | compound an absolute necessity. |
| sulforaphane acts against the commonest form | | | | - It is a powerful eliminator of heterocyclic amines |
| of prostate cancer - adenocarcinoma. | | | | - these are cancerous compounds produced when |
| How prostate cancer develops | | | | meat is cooked at high temperatures that occur |
| Adenocarcinoma of the prostate develops when | | | | when using methods such as grilling or frying. |
| epithelial cells of the prostate gland change into | | | | Heterocyclic amines are thought to be one of the |
| pre-cancerous cells. The reason they do so is that | | | | main reasons why the incidence of prostate |
| the aging prostate cells either drop their PTEN | | | | cancer is so high in countries where large |
| gene or lose the ability to activate this important | | | | quantities of meat (especially beef) are consumed. |
| anti-cancer gene; the PTEN gene's vital role is to | | | | Although it does not neutralize these compounds |
| oppose the cancer promoting PI3K/AKT enzyme. | | | | directly, sulforaphane accelerates their elimination |
| If the PTEN gene is inactivated or damaged during | | | | from the body. |
| the process of DNA replication, the prostate gland | | | | - Although sulforaphane is not an antioxidant itself, |
| loses its ability to counter the PI3K/AKT enzyme | | | | it stimulates the production of the body's own |
| and the pre-cancerous cells progress into full | | | | antioxidants such as glutathione. As well as giving |
| blown cancer cells. | | | | us a clearer insight into sulforaphane's anticancer |
| Sulforaphane and prostate cancer | | | | properties this study also underlines the |
| This study has shown us something really | | | | importance of the foods that supply us with this |
| interesting - that sulforaphane has almost no | | | | key phytonutrient. |
| activity on healthy prostate cells that have | | | | These foods 'cut the mustard' |
| normally paired PTEN genes and full expression | | | | Whether you have a prostate gland or not, a daily |
| (functioning) of these genes. | | | | serving of a spice such as mustard, wasabi, |
| However, if the PTEN genes become damaged or | | | | horseradish or one or more of the other brassica |
| begin to malfunction only then do they become | | | | vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, |
| sensitive to the beneficial effects of sulforaphane. | | | | cress, rocket and others) should be an essential |
| In other words sulforaphane has absolutely no | | | | part of your diet. |