Broccoli: A Natural Way to Build Immunity

Broccoli is already known for its health benefits in the nutrition world, particularly for its cancer-fighting abilities. It regularly finds its way to the “top ten” lists of healthy foods compiled by many nutritionists and health experts according to Dr. Jonny Bowden in his must-read book The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. This is not surprising, as it boasts a very powerful nutritional profile, containing loads of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, vitamin K, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and more. Now, another study by UCLA researchers finds that broccoli may play a role in rejuvenating the body’s immune system which weakens as people age.

The results of the study indicate that a chemical in broccoli known as sulforaphane activates certain antioxidant genes and enzymes in specific immune cells that can battle the damage from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecular fragments that can injure cells and which are associated with the aging process and the development of chronic diseases (i.e. cancer, heart disease). The principal researcher for this study, Dr. Andre Nel (also Chief of Nanomedicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA), said, “Our defense against oxidative stress damage may determine at what rate we age, how it will manifest and how to interfere in those processes. In particular, our study shows that a chemical present in broccoli is capable of stimulating a wide range of antioxidant defense pathways and may be able to interfere with the age-related decline in immune function."

The study conducted by the UCLA researchers involved the direct administration of sulforaphane in broccoli to old mice, and this appeared to actually reverse their diminishing cellular immune function. The researchers obtained similar results when they removed individual immune cells from the old mice, treated them with sulforaphane, and then put the cells back into the animals. Research scientist and first author of the study, Hyon-Jeen Kim, stated, “We found that treating older mice with sulforaphane increased the immune response to the level of younger mice.” Dr. Andre Nel said that the next step is to see how the results of this study would translate to humans. He did recommend adding broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

Parents looking to build the immune systems of their children naturally, after being barraged with reports of reactions to vaccines which include death, paralysis and autism, are probably already feeding their kids broccoli on a regular basis, but this study is good news. After all, you don’t have to worry about your child dropping dead from eating a plate full of broccoli. As an added benefit, broccoli also appeared on a list of foods least contaminated by pesticides in 2003 by The Environmental Working Group. For people in a hurry, it’s easy to add broccoli sprouts to salads and sandwiches. BroccoSprouts®, a brand developed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, is known to be very high in the antioxidant sulforaphane. No matter how you prefer to enjoy it, broccoli seems to be a prudent addition to any healthy diet.

© 2008 by Joanne Waldron. Feel free to link to this post. It is ok to quote the first paragraph and then provide a clickable link. All other uses require the author's permission. If you enjoyed this article, please use the e-mail feature to send it to your friends!

Say No To Candy Containing GM Sugar

Parents in Brazil are refusing to feed their children products made using genetically-modified sugar, according to an article at Food & Water Watch. Halloween is just around the corner, and unbeknownst to many American parents, foods like Kellogg's cereal and Hershey's chocolate may be made with sugar from genetically-modified sugar beets, warns Kisha Lewellyn Schlegel in a report at NewWest.net. There are many reasons that parents of American children need to be concerned.

Why Would They Use GM Sugar Beets?

Not surprisingly, it's all about the money. These sugar beets have been genetically altered so that they can withstand regular applications of a weed killer made by Monsanto known as RoundUp. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently increased the allowable residue of the active ingredient of the weed killer (known as glyphosate) on beetroots by a whopping 5000%. Those crackerjack scientists at the EPA are really doing their jobs protecting everyone, eh?

What's The Trouble With Glyphosate?

So, what's the trouble with the weed killer residue? Probably the biggest issue is that there have been studies linking glyphosate exposure to cancer and other health problems. Of course, there is also the Network of Concerned Farmers, a group of farmers who believe that glyphosate can create "super weeds" that are resistant to herbicides. Then, of course, there is a concern that these frankenfood crops may be responsible for the gene pollution of other crops and plants.

Monsanto Hires a Team of Lobbyists - Parents Must Take Action!

While the sugar industry is trying to keep their use of genetically-modified sugar beets quiet, Monsanto has hired a whole team of lobbyists to work on their behalf. This is why it is very important for concerned parents to make their views known before it is too late! Contact Nancy Pelosi at AmericanVoices@house.gov, and tell her that laws are needed to protect consumers from genetically-modified sugar beets. It is also important to send faxes to lawmakers. One can (at the time of this writing) send two free faxes per day at FaxZero.com right from any computer with an Internet connection (see terms and conditions at the site). Consumers should never have to worry about getting cancer from eating a piece of Halloween candy. (Even if parents are strict about what their children eat at home, it's hard to police what they might be given at at class parties at school.) Why not send a free fax to two different lawmakers every single day? If enough people complain, lawmakers will have to listen. E-mail or fax this article to lawmakers today.

Don't Support Child Slave Labor

Unfortunately, there is another reason to be concerned about the candy one purchases. According to an article by Dr. Edward Group, two of the companies that rule the chocolate industry (M&M/Mars and Hershey’s) purchase much of their cocoa from the Ivory Coast. Unfortunately, Ivory Coast cocoa farms use child slave labor to work their farms. Parents must consider whether they really want their children indulging in sweets made at the expense of other children.

Dr. Group: Put Your Money Where Your Health Is

Dr. Group believes parents can make their voices heard by voting with their dollars, by purchasing only organic chocolate and candy products. Dr Group asks parents to ask themselves if they would buy a chocolate bar if the label on the product said: "Consuming this candy bar may cause cancer - contains sugar from genetically engineered beets, cocoa harvested by child slaves, and harmful pesticides and fungicides." Sounds much less appealing, doesn't it?

© 2008 by Joanne Waldron. Feel free to link to this post. It is ok to quote the first paragraph and then provide a clickable link. All other uses require the author's permission. If you enjoyed this article, please use the e-mail feature to send it to your friends!