Broccoli Could Reverse Diabetes

The Medical Sanctuary Holistic Medical Centre

Eating broccoli may undo the damage that diabetes inflicts on heart blood vessels. Brassica vegetables such as broccoli have previously been linked to a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. Research conducted by a University of Warwick team believe the key is a compound found in the vegetable, called sulforaphane.

Sulforaphane encourages production of enzymes that protect the blood vessels, and reduces the number of molecules that cause significant cell damage by up to 73 percent.

People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes; both of which are linked to damaged blood vessels.

The Warwick team, whose work is reported in the journal Diabetes, tested the effects of sulforaphane on blood vessel cells damaged by high glucose levels (hyperglycaemia), which are associated with diabetes. They recorded a 73% reduction of molecules in the body called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Hyperglycaemia can cause levels of ROS to increase three-fold and such high levels can damage human cells.

The researchers also found that sulforaphane activated a protein in the body called nrf2, which protects cells and tissues from damage by activating protective antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.

One of broccoli’s most powerful compounds is the phytochemical sulforaphane. Broccoli is not the only vegetable that contains sulforaphane, though. Most of the veggies in the cruciferous family also contain it, and this includes vegetables such as turnips, cabbage, bok choy, rutabaga, mustard greens, cauliflower, radishes and many others.

What’s the Best Way to Eat Broccoli?

If you’re looking for the variety of broccoli that will pack the most nutritional punch, broccoli sprouts are as close to a “sure thing” as you will get. Because sprouts are just beginning their growth process, they are packed with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and more. The nutrition in sprouts is so concentrated that they are said to be among the healthiest ways to consume vegetables, and broccoli is no exception.

Just 5 grams of broccoli sprouts contain concentrations of the compound glucoraphanin (a precursor to sulforaphane) equal to that found in 150 grams of mature broccoli.

By far the most simple and most effective way to exploit the benefits of sulforaphane is to take a broccoli sprout in a concentrated powder form with a guaranteed level of sulforaphane. DefenCell 12000 is the only product on the market which has been developed through unique Australian technology to yield a standardized product with high sulforaphane activity.

The Medical Sanctuary are currently stocking the  DefenCell / EnduraCell broccoli sprout powder in both 100gm and 250gm  containers. Contact the clinic for more details.

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