New study shows how broccoli helps reduce cancer risk
- From: rpautrey2 <rpautrey2@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 03:35:21 -0700 (PDT)
New study shows how broccoli helps reduce cancer risk
July 02, 2008
A scientific study published here Wednesday sheds light on why men who
eat a lot of broccoli are less likely to develop prostate cancer.
Scientists have already observed that diets rich in cruciferous
vegetables -- including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels
sprouts, bok choy and kale -- may reduce the risk of prostate cancer
and other chronic disease.
But the new research, by scientists at Britain's Institute of Food
Research, is the first attempt to show how that works in a clinical
study involving people, as opposed to animals or cell models.
For the new study, men at risk of developing prostate cancer ate 400
grams of broccoli or 400 grams of peas a week for 12 months, in
addition to their normal diet.
The researchers took samples of prostate gland tissue from the men at
the start of the study, at six months and at 12 months, to monitor
changes in genes linked to cancer.
"There were more changes in gene expression in men who were on the
broccoli-rich diet than on the pea diet, and these changes may be
associated with the reduction in the risk of developing cancer," said
a statement by the Public Library of Science, which published the work
Wednesday in its online journal PLoS ONE.
"The results of the study suggested that relatively low amounts of
cruciferous vegetables in the diet -- a few portions per week -- can
have large effects on gene expression by changing cell signalling
pathways," the statement said.
The signalling pathways are the routes by which information is
transmitted to the nucleus of the cell where gene expression occurs.
"Other fruits and vegetables have been shown to also reduce the risk
of prostate cancer and are likely to act through other mechanisms,"
said lead researcher Richard Mithen.
"Once we understand these, we can provide much better dietary advice
in which specific combinations of fruit and vegetable are likely to be
particularly beneficial.
"Until then, eating two or three portions of cruciferous vegetable per
week ... should be encouraged."
Prostate cancer is the most common form of non-skin cancer affecting
men in western countries.
© 2008 AFP
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URL: http://www.physorg.com/news134232276.html
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