Broccoli's cancer reduction link probed

Tag : broccoli

Agricultural scientist Mark McCann is investigating why somevegetables, such as broccoli, may reduce the risk of prostatecancers.
Dr McCann, from state sciences company Agresearch's Grasslandcentre near Palmerston North, was given a $NZ300,000 ($A247,116)grant for a three-year study of how a class of molecules found inmany foods may help prevent cancer and other diseases.
The grant is part of the taxpayer-funded Marsden Fund allocated bythe national science academy, the Royal Society.
He said the work will provide vital understanding of how dietarycompounds, from a normal balanced diet, can affect cell growth, andhow eating foods containing these compounds may help preventcancer.
Overseas studies have shown benefits from a plant-based diet highin cancer-fighting lignans , compounds found in seeds, wholegrains, vegetables and fruits have been shown to affect hormonelevels and tumour growth.
Some fruits and vegetables seem to offer more protection thanothers, with broccoli, peaches, oranges, strawberries, coffee andtea, and linseed featuring in American studies.
The plant lignans are turned by bacteria in the human gut into thecompounds enterodiol and enterolactone - known as enterolignans.
There is evidence that enterolactone may have a beneficial effecton the prostate, bones, breasts, menopause symptoms, heart, hairloss, acne and inflammation. Dr McCann is investigating whether theenterolignans reduce cell growth, and how they can affectuncontrolled cell division, which can result in cancer.
He is checking what concentrations of enterolignans affect celldivision in normal and cancerous prostate cells, whetherenterolignans reduce the growth of prostate tumours, how theychange the proteins expressed by genes.
© 2008 NZPA
Brought to you by
When you see news happening: SMS/MMS: 0406 THE AGE (0406 843 243), or us. More