Soy and cruciferous vegetables enhance DNA repair

[RedOnce]

The February 13, 2006 issue of the British Journal of Cancer reported the findings of researchers at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center that genistein and indole-3-carbinol, found in soy and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, enhance DNA repair. The finding could explain, in part, the protective effect these compounds have been shown to provide against some cancers.

The study is among the first to discover a molecular explanation behind the ability of increased vegetable consumption to reduce cancer risk. Senior author and professor of oncology, cell biology, and radiation medicine at Georgetown University, Eliot M. Rosen, MD, PhD, commented, "It is now clear that the function of crucial cancer genes can be influenced by compounds in the things we eat. Our findings suggest a clear molecular process that would explain the connection between diet and cancer prevention."
http://www.lef.org/whatshot/index.html#sacv

British Journal of Cancer - BRCA1 and BRCA2 as molecular targets for phytochemicals indole-3-carbinol and genistein in breast and prostate cancer cells:
http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v94/n3/abs/6602935a.html

[trotsky]

1. Pass the Brussels Sprouts!

Yum!

[Warpy]

6. You can have my share

but I want my cabbage, my broccoli, my kale, my cauliflower, my kohlrabi, and my broccoli rabe.

I have just never been able to cook Brussels sprouts and have them turn out both evenly cooked and palatable.

[peacetalksforall]

7. Steam them so that they don't touch the water. Don't cook for long. Take

them off when they are bright green. If in doubt, leave them sit for a munute or two more.

THEN - do you like stone ground mustard? Take a little and dip the sprout in it - just a touch.

Makes the healing properties go down pleasantly and with no cooking fuss and dirty pans.

[trotsky]

8. I will only eat them steamed.

Then with a good amount of butter and some salt. Perfection.

But yeah, I'll take any of the others you mention too. Never cared for any of them as a kid, but just love 'em now.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

16. Extra virgin olive oil and garlic salt works for me.... n/t.

[havocmom]

9. Had a cat who loved them. She lived to 21.

The new cat loves them too. She will probably live to bury me.

I like 'em nuked lightly with just a bit of water in a deep V-shaped bowl so the just get steamed. Wonderful! Have them for breakfast sometimes.

[EC]

12. She will probably live to bury me

THAT is a very funny picture (a cat with a shovel)

[havocmom]

13. She loves to bury stuff almost as much as she loves dem sprouts!

[Nay]

15. Ooooh, I had Brussels sprouts at lunch today. Love em. I knew they

were good for me, but it's nice to know exactly why.

[graywarrior]

2. George Osawa is laughing in his grave.

[CountAllVotes]

4. I think Michio Kushi is still alive (last living student of Ohsawa's)

and yes, I bet Ohsawa is laughing or perhaps crying in his grave. He was so very right! He was the one that said green tea was good for the health and the macrobiotic diet can cure a person of almost any disease. His ideologies were thwarted by the professionals in medicine. It seems every day I read about things being anti-cancer agents in foods that he suggested that everyone eat every day.

:kick:

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Not too hard, I hope

He was ahead of his time in many ways, but was also bone-headedly wrong occasionally.

For instance, he approved of smoking -- but only certain brands close to that special 4:1 K/Na ratio. (K/Na = "Potassium-to-Sodium")

On the other hand, with the current 1:20 K/Na nutrient ratio in most of our customary diets, a little more of Osawa's advice wouldn't hurt too much. But skip the smoking.

--p!

[graywarrior]

14. Yeah, the smoking thing. Also, the shabby 3-piece suit.

I stayed at Michio's house (so did every other macro-whacko in the world) a few years ago before Aveline died. He recently was treated for stomach cancer. Not surprised what with the bagels, coffee and cigarettes he consumed every day. Healthy appetite for the ladies, too.

[CountAllVotes]

17. geez I never knew that!

Thanks for the info. - I had NO idea Michio Kushi was ill with cancer!

That is like Hermann Aihara, he died of coronary heart disease! Another famous student of Ohsawa's as well.

:kick:

[graywarrior]

18. Yeah, and Aveline died of ovarian cancer. So did her daughter.

Sometimes your food can make you too tight and you end up like a pillar of salt.

[CountAllVotes]

19. wow how sad!

.... very sad. That is a very strict diet. I guess you've been there I take it. I have too - I couldn't last for too long on it. And now this ... :(

:kick:

[graywarrior]

20. Stay close to it, but not a whacko about it.

It sort of ruins your life. Once you start, you can't eat the way you used to.

[CountAllVotes]

21. yeah I know - same story here

I still buy the salts and I still drink many of the teas and I tend to avoid as many chemicals as possible. And the water thing is very important. I filter all of my water that I drink. That is perhaps the most important aspect of the diet - the water and the salt thing.

I never was a big fan of many of the things you are supposed to do and eat. I tried and wow, it was hard. It does wake you up doesn't it? I first got into it in the late 1980s.

I do believe that it does help.

:kick:

[graywarrior]

22. Go here. Good friend of mine. Funny book.

http://www.hipchicksmacrobiotics.com/

[applegrove]

3. Raw Cauliflower and Dip! That's the best!

[havocmom]

10. Broccoli souffle - It's what's for dinner!

You can make it up and freeze in small portions to bake and eat when you are strapped for time. GREAT stuff!

My favorite 5 year old will take broccoli and cauliflower over cookies every time. I loved introducing her to Brussels sprouts! She went home and insisted her parents get some IMMEDIATELY!

[EC]

11. There was a letter in the Sun-Times today

about a man with diabetes, who is okay and off meds when he visits Europe for as long as 6 weeks but as soon as he gets back to the states has to go back on meds. He contributes it to our food. I do too, since most of our food is genetically altered and now higher in fructose than ever...which the EU will not allow shipped in or grown.

[JohnWxy]

23. Good Post. THere recently seems to be an increase in disinformation

re Soy (Genestein and Daidzein) and reduction of cancer risk.

Too bad the solid research showing the anti-cancer effects of INdole-3-Carbinole and Di-indole-methane (from cruciferous vegetables) (not to mention curcumin) and the beneficial effects of Soy with regard to hormone sensitve cancers doesn't get any air time.

Indole-3-Carbinol has been shown to competitively inhibit production of estrone-16 the 'bad' estrogen which shows the mutagenetic properties.