A reason to eat broccoli
Researchers have discovered a big reason to eat broccoli – sulforaphane.
What is sulforaphane?
It’s a compound in broccoli that is known to help prevent prostate cancer. New research has found that it has a positive influence on long, non-coding type of DNA known as lncRNAs.
lncRNAs play a critical role in triggering cells to become malignant and can contribute to multiple disease processes, including cancer.
In the genes
The research showed that one lncRNA, called LINC01116, is upregulated in a human cell line of prostate cancer, but can be decreased by treatment with sulforaphane.
An increased consumption of cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, appears to be associated with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
“We showed that treatment with sulforaphane could normalise the levels of this lncRNA,” says Laura Beaver, a research associate in the Linus Pauling Institute and College of Public Health and Human Sciences, and lead author on the study.
“This may relate to more than just cancer prevention. It would be of significant value if we could develop methods to greatly slow the progress of cancer, help keep it from becoming invasive.”
Beyond prostate cancer
It’s not only men who should be eating their greens. Researchers found the same lncRNA is also overexpressed in several other types of cancer, including brain, lung and colon cancer.
Some other lncRNAs have been found at higher levels in breast, stomach, lung, prostate cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
So, make sure those dark leafy green vegetables are an important part of the weekly meal plan. It may help protect you and your family from cancer.
Source: Oregon State University via Sciencedaily.com
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