NaturalNews) Broccoli is already known for its health benefits in the nutrition world,
particularly for its cancer-fighting abilities. It regularly finds its way to the
"top ten" lists of healthy foods compiled by many nutritionists and health
experts. This is not surprising, as it boasts a very powerful nutritional
profile, containing loads of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, thiamin (B1),
riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, vitamin K,
pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc
and more. Now, another study
by UCLA researchers finds that broccoli
may play a role in rejuvenating the body's immune system which weakens as
people age.
The results of the study indicate that a chemical in broccoli known as sulforaphane activates certain antioxidant genes and enzymes in
specific immune cells that can battle the damage from free radicals. Free radicals are
unstable molecular fragments that can injure cells and which are associated with the aging
process and the development of chronic diseases (i.e. cancer, heart disease). The principal
researcher for this study, Dr. Andre Nel (also Chief of Nanomedicine at the David Geffen
School of Medicine at UCLA), said, "Our defense against oxidative stress damage may
determine at what rate we age, how it will manifest and how to interfere in those
processes. In particular, our study shows that a chemical present in broccoli is capable
of stimulating a wide range of antioxidant defense pathways and may be able to interfere
with the age-related decline in immune
function."
The study conducted by the UCLA researchers involved the direct administration of
sulforaphane in broccoli to old mice, and this appeared to actually reverse their
diminishing cellular immune function. The researchers obtained similar results when they
removed individual immune cells from the old mice, treated them with sulforaphane, and
then put the cells back into the animals. Research scientist and first author of the
study, Hyon-Jeen Kim, stated, "We found that treating older mice with sulforaphane
increased the immune response to the level of younger mice." Dr. Andre Nel said that
the next step is to see how the results of this study would translate to humans. He did
recommend adding broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables as part of a healthy diet.
Parents looking to build the immune systems of their children naturally, after being
barraged with reports of reactions to vaccines which include death, paralysis and autism,
are probably already feeding their kids broccoli on a regular basis, but this study is
good news. After all, you don't have to worry about your child dropping dead from eating a
plate full of broccoli. As an added benefit, broccoli also appeared on a list of foods
least contaminated by pesticides in 2003 by The Environmental Working Group. For people in
a hurry, it's easy to add broccoli sprouts
to salads and sandwiches. BroccoSprouts®, a
brand developed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, is known to be very
high in the antioxidant sulforaphane. No matter how you prefer to enjoy it, broccoli seems
to be a prudent addition to any healthy diet. (naturalnews, 4.25.2008, Joanne Waldron (see all articles by this author)|
Key concepts: broccoli, sulforaphane and antioxidant)
http://www.naturalnews.com/023105.html
Joanne Waldron is a computer scientist with a passion for writing and sharing
health-related news and information with others. She runs the Naked Wellness: The Gentle
Health Revolution forum, which is devoted to achieving radiant health, well-being, and
longevity.