Cruciferous
vegetables have been widely used in preventing cancer diet. The important
ingredient in the cruciferous vegetables is called I3C. I3C is acid-catalyzed
in the stomach into diindolylmethane (DIM). DIM is believed to be the active
beneficial constituent in I3C of cruciferous vegetables. Both I3C and DIM
induce biochemical pathways to metabolize potential carcinogens. I3C has been
shown to decrease the proliferation of numerous forms of cancer including
breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, and leukemia.
Animal studies have
shown that long-term administration of I3C decreased spontaneous breast tumor
development by 50 percent and endometrial tumors by 24 percent. Additionally,
animal models show that supplementation with I3C prior to exposure of a known
carcinogen decreased the development of breast tumors by 70-90 percent. Studies
on human breast cancer cell lines show that DIM inhibits the growth of both
estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent cancer cells by approximately 60
percent. This study also showed that DIM binds to the estrogen receptors in
these cells, inhibiting the binding of estradiol, the bad estrogen, with
estrogen receptor. Other evidence shows that I3C decreases both the growth of
blood supply to cancer cells and the spread of the cancerous cells locally and
that it protects the liver from carcinogens.
Image By Scott Bauer
Another interesting
property of DIM is that it exhibits anti-androgenic activity. Research shows
that DIM inhibits dihydyrotestosterone (DHT) from binding to androgen receptors
in androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cells, decreasing the induction of
DNA synthesis. DIM also decreased levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA).
This protein is frequently measured to evaluate prostate cancer risk.
Additional research has shown that DIM induces cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis
in prostate cancer cells as well as by regulating several genes.
Resveratrol is a
natural polyphenol found in high concentrations in red grape skins, berries,
and peanuts. It is found in high concentration in red wine and red grape juice.
Resveratrol is widely studied due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
anticancer and anti-aging properties. Studies with resveratrol indicate that
this polyphenol inhibits the activity of aromatase in breast cancer cells, a
particularly important fact considering aromatase is expressed at a higher
level in breast cancer tissue than in surrounding healthy tissue. In fact,
resveratrol inhibits the conversion of estrogen from testosterone and decreases
the synthesis of the aromatase enzyme, thus indicating that it may support the
health of individuals concerned about breast cancer.
Research also shows
that red wine extracts reversed aromatase-induced increased tissue size and
other neoplastic changes in breast tissue. In conclusion, resveratrol decreases
tumor initiation, promotion, and progression, and induces apoptosis in many
types of cancer cells. This does not mean we should drink more wine because
alcohol can also enhance the activity of aromatase and damage the liver and
brain function. Eating red grapes is much better choice than drinking wine.
Cruciferous
vegetables have a lot of fibers. We need good digestive system to absorb the
valuable nutrients. Acupuncture can help improve the function of digestive
system, so we can digest those vegetables more efficiently. We also need to see
how much we can eat those vegetables, too much good things may not good for the
body. Cooked cruciferous vegetables are much easier to be digested than the raw
ones.
Dr. Li Zheng, PhD
is a licensed acupunturist & herbalist with a PhD in medical science. A
graduate of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine who practiced as a
physician in China, she has 26 years of experience. In addition, she is also a
professor and clinical supervisor of the New England School of Acupuncture,
consultant for Health Grid Inc. and author of two books, "Acupuncture and
Hormone Balance" and "Chinese Acupuncture and Herbs for Common
Diseases". Her website is https://www.bostonchineseacupuncture.org.
