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  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] Broccoli may undo diabetes damage
  • Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:00:36 -0600


Normally I don't bother with all the reports of how real food is good for us,
but this is from the BBC and unexpected.

paul, tradingpost@lobo.net

"The ignorance of mainstream America only makes it easier for the well
informed to rise above the masses and make some serious changes for the
better. "
-- Mike Adams
----------------------

Broccoli may undo diabetes damage
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7541639.stm

Eating broccoli could reverse the damage caused by diabetes to heart blood
vessels, research suggests.

A University of Warwick team believe the key is a compound found in the
vegetable, called sulforaphane.

It encourages production of enzymes which protect the blood vessels, and a
reduction in high levels of molecules which cause significant cell damage.

Brassica vegetables such as broccoli have previously been linked to a lower
risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli
may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in
diabetes

People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop
cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes; both 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.

Countering vascular disease

Lead researcher Professor Paul Thornalley said: "Our study suggests that
compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes
linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetes.

"In future, it will be important to test if eating a diet rich in brassica
vegetables has health benefits for diabetic patients. We expect that it will."

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, stressed that
research carried out on cells in the lab was a long way from the real life
situation.

However, he said: "It is encouraging to see that Professor Thornalley and his
team have identified a potentially important substance that may protect and
repair blood vessels from the damaging effects of diabetes.

"It also may help add some scientific weight to the argument that eating
broccoli is good for you."






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