WASHINGTON, Jul 17, 2001 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Home-grown broccoli, the vegetable George Bush, Sr. refused to eat, contains a potent anti-cancer compound that turns on a variety of enzymes that protect cells from genetic damage, according to a leading cancer researcher from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

"Cauliflower and broccoli are especially effective in ramping up the body's cancer defense mechanisms by increasing what we call 'phase 2 enzymes,'" Dr. Paul Talalay told journalists at the 11th annual American Institute for Cancer Research conference on Diet and Nutrition in Washington. "These vegetables are particularly rich in the compound sulforaphane, which boosts phase 2 enzymes."

Anti-oxidants come in two types, indirect and direct, Talalay told reporters. Unlike direct anti-oxidants, which bind to potentially cancer causing "free radicals," indirect anti-oxidants -- such as sulforaphane -- turn on a variety of phase 2 enzymes which protect cells against cancer.

"We found a significant correlation between the occurrence of bladder cancer and the consumption of vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli," Talalay said. "We also found that mice who were missing the gene that turns on phase 2 enzymes were shown to be more susceptible to tumors, a key finding that we believe shows the importance of these enzymes in cancer prevention. We have long awaited proof of this principle."

Talalay quickly pointed out that broccoli purchased from a supermarket is inferior to homegrown broccoli, and that broccoli sprouts are associated with a higher degree of cancer-preventing phase 2 activity than mature broccoli heads.

"When we first started research in this area 20 years ago, people pretty much ignored us," Talalay said. "They thought what we were doing bordered on quackery. I remember saying it was hard to find a room small enough to contain the number of people interested in nutritional prevention of cancer."

In recent years that attitude has changed noted Talalay, adding "cancer is a highly preventable disease, and nutrition plays an important role."

Cancer researcher Linda Quattochi agreed.

"In my own research, we have found that certain flavenoids in green tea compete with environmental carcinogens by binding with the cell receptors that activate cancer," Quattochi, from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, told reporters. "Green tea, in other words, can block the harmful action of many carcinogens."

"These days, diet and nutrition represent the most exciting fields of cancer research, without question," Talalay said.

From Healthy.net