D-Ribose

Recommendation: CAUTION: Best to use ONLY for short periods, first assessing overall situation to weigh benefits versus risks. Work with your Medical team when disease present.

The following insight and new information is in direct contrast to the recommendations of many nutritionists, and even Dr Steven Sinatra, a cardiologist. YES, the immediate benefits for heart patients may outweigh these longer term glycation risks. If family history of cancer, DO NOT USE RIBOSE, or vitamin B1 without medical monitoring. ref   Plus, neurodegenerative tissue damage is rapidly becoming a major health issue. ref This is just one of glycations major spheres of influence. 

D-Ribose is a 5 sided specialty sugar that is a limiting factor in the amount of energy available for muscle action. D-Ribose is slowly built back up in muscle cells after it is used up by exercise. D-Ribose is used by athletes to enhance recovery and also Seniors to prevent fatigue. Some nutrients, far too many, have a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde complex. In theory they have great benefits but also a dark side. D-Ribose is just such a nutrient.

While Ribose supports a very necessary energy building process and a critical nucleic RNA messenger response, there is another side to consider. Do not supplement without knowing these facts. The references listed below give a good idea why too much sugar is harmful in explaining the action for AGEs formation, (Advanced Glycation End Products). Here is definition of Glycation. ref   The Precautionary approach for long term health is to prevent, limit, and/or slow down the formation of AGEs and Glycation effects. Thus, a DO NOT USE RIBOSE unless under Medical care approach may be prudent. Cataract formation appears to be a readily observable glycation influenced event. ref  Curcumin helps prevent or slows down cataract formation in diabetic rats. ref   ref

CAUTION:  Do not take D-ribose if you are younger than 60, and then only if monitored by a medical practitioner knowing expected length of life, and assessment of risk/benefit which includes analysis of overall lifetime dietary sugars, animal proteins and fats, and family history for cancers and dementia. These might indicate damage already present from AGEs. Wow, now that is a real bombshell. 

Why? Research out of China reveals that D-ribose participates in forming AGEs faster than any other form of sugar. AGEs are indicated in many degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. ref  Plus, cancer cells use more ribose than normal cells to grow faster. Thus, the under 60 should especially use with caution. Every little bit builds up and at some point, it may be too late to correct or mitigate these influences.  ref

EVERYTHING IS ALWAYS A MATTER OF DEGREES. IF OVERALL SUGAR IN DIET IS LOW, RIBOSE USE WOULD HAVE LESS OF AN EFFECT. But, the typical American diet is fat too high in sugars and oxidizing stress that adding D-Ribose could push glycation activities into overdrive. ref If cancer not present, Ribose could help prevent, but if there is a family history, best to stay away. 

Testing safety of Ribose might not have lasted long enough for AGEs to be detected, or even associated. Yes, most references used animal studies and more research in humans is vitally needed. Benefits have to be balanced against risks, and using age as a factor for how long it takes AGEs to form and Ribose to influence health. Or at what amount Ribose would impact AGEs formation compared to overall sugar amounts in diet. Short term use may be more appropriate. Here is the research for the DO NOT USE recommendation for RIBOSE.  ref  ref  ref

One nutrient of value to help slow down or prevent AGEs formation, Carnosine. ref

Here is a study looking at the amount of AGEs already formed in different foods, often influenced by cooking methods and temperatures, and their effects on inflammatory markers after consumption by diabetics. ref  Look at the changes on some of these inflammation markers. This is a very revealing important small study on the impact of diet and cooking methods on health. Foods with high AGEs already formed, increase the amount of AGEs the body produces.

Ribose and Cancer

It is of interest to note that ribose can play a positive role with potassium in cancer cells. At just the right concentration, ribose may carry potassium into cancer cells which slows the division rate of these cells. D-ribose also participates in Krebs pathway to supply energy to healthy cells, but cancer cells must hinder this uptake by healthy cells and hijack more for themselves to produce DNA and RNA necessary for rapid tumor cellular growth. Vitamin B1 aids this process. ref More to discover here. Cancer cells are quite devious. They produce enzymes to bypass the respiration (oxidized glucose) energy process that slowly makes new ribose to favor the anabolic process that builds ribose faster. Cancer cells grab more glucose for this process. Thus one more damage from high sugar and simple carbohydrate diets.

N-Acetyl-Cysteine

Recommendation:  DO NOT TAKE (without medical supervision)*       INCLUDES section on Cyr61 and Cancer

NOTE: NAC is often recommended for diabetes control since it increases the antioxidant Glutathione Peroxidase. This article is about the relationship of NAC to cancer and not as diabetes control aid. But both conditions need to be a factor for consideration when NAC is supplemented. NAC is a ROS or oxidative stress reducer. Since ROS is involved in skin breakdown, NAC plays a beneficial support.

If one searches the internet for NAC effects on cancer, overwhelming positive studies surface first and lead to an apparent verification of NAC use to stop or slow down many cancers. BUT, there are also some potential adverse effects for some cancers that call for caution with NAC. When and how to approprietely use NAC is the question?

*A very complex nutrient. Because cancers can take such a long time to manifest, taking NAC for one of it's many benefits could jeopardize health if certain types of cancers are already developing. Work with your health care professionals for health check ups to spot cancers early. See * below. ref  This reference appears to miss some vital cancer problems with NAC on the CYR61 pathway. This is a secondary process since NAc provides the body with cysteine, a part of NAC.    

This is perhaps the best example of a nutrient with many benefits (such as an expectorant plus as a chemopreventive agent) but also with a few potential negatives not mentioned often enough. ref  Here are some of the positive actions.  ref  ref ref  ref  ref  The cancer applications mentioned are significant since NAC influences Glutathione, GSH, production in cells.  ref  ref  and in anti-cancer drug interference, not a desirable happening. >ref ref

Attempting to find out how NAC and thus GSH influence cancer, it was found that among the many positive cancer inhibiting functions for NAC, a twist was also found that NAC increased production of Cyr61, which has shown both tumor promoting and surpassing aspects in different cancers. First, the following study shows NAC reduces prostate cancer cell growth by mechanisms that eventually lead to the over expression or production of Cyr61, also known as CCN1.  ref  ref  This reference shows higher Cyr61 protective against Prostate Cancer spreading, while the next is a study showing how higher Cyr61 levels correlate with more aggressive non organ contained prostate cancers. There is a piece missing in this puzzle. Thus the precautionary approach to limit supplementation is necessary until these issues are researched in more detail.

It has often been found that a nutrient under study will decrease the slower growing form of prostate cancer while increasing the less seen aggressive form, or vice versa.  ref  In this study, higher Cyr61 means lower risk of Prostate cancer coming back after treatment.  The action of Cyr61 in some cases might protect against Prostate cancer spreading by triggering a unique counter response in another pathway. ref  While other studies show a higher level associated with greater spreading and aggressiveness of cancer? Here is how it works and might do both. ref  There is a balancing effect of CCN3 on CCN1, or Cyr61. This is an intense area of cancer research right now. Sooner rather than later the results should become clearer. Between CCN-1 and CCN-2 ref

To continue to show greater complexity for this element, here is copy from a breast cancer study on Cyr61:

"We have shown that Cyr61 is overexpressed in invasive and metastatic human breast cancer cells and tumor biopsies (Tsai et al.," 2000). In addition, we demonstrated that Cyr61 function is necessary for heregulin (HRG)-mediated chemomigration of breast cancer cells (Tsai et al., 2000). We further determined that Cyr61 is sufficient to promote breast cancer cells to bypass their normal estrogen requirement for growth, to induce progression of breast cancer cells to more aggressive and invasive phentoypes in vitro, and to induce tumor formation in vivo (Tsai et al., 2001, manuscript submitted)."  ref    ref

Plus another study showing how low oxygen levels in body cells lead to Cyr61 expression. study

Skin Health and CCN1 (Cyr61)

Here is another twist to this story. CCN1 levels are elevated at sites of skin collagen breakdown. ref  article

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN

NOTE: First, not mentioned is that GSH production increased by NAC concerns Doctors because GSH protects cells against the action of chemo drugs. Cancer Doctors give patients one drug to first decrease GSH production so that the chemo drug can function and kill cancer cells. But this leaves the normal cells open to ROS (reactive oxygen species, or oxygen radicals) damage, presenting a dilemma for Oncologists. NAC was thought to be beneficial against cancer initiation due to it's ability to increase GSH and act like an anti-oxidant to protect cells against ROS damage. It may be working too well as the cancer drugs are looked at like a radical and destroyed when GSH is elevated.

Now, is Cyr61 a good element or a bad element concerning cancer growth?

In the men's study above positive effects of NAC found for cancer also generated increased Cyr61 levels. In this case, the increased Cyr61 generated a controlled release of ROS radicals that proved beneficial to the function of other elements created in this cascade of effects started by ROS. Cyr61 may have positive influence at some prostate cancer stages while negative ones at other stages, especially later more advanced ones. Also the expression level may vary depending on the activity of other elements which determine how Cyr61 functions in cell adhesion, proliferation, and cell death mechanisms. These functions are critical in cancer cells since they do not die like normal cells (apoptosis) and love to spread throughout the body. Cyr61 becomes a target for cancer researchers just because this is how it naturally functions. Measuring levels of Cyr61 may give Doctors a good indication about how cancers will progress. Some organ-contained prostate cancers are very slow growing and don't need aggressive treatments. 

In the breast cancer study, greater Cyr61 was associated with detrimental outcomes. Or, maybe it is under the influence of estrogen. Do cancer cells first develop and then over-express Cyr61? Or does the over-expression lead to cells becoming cancerous? Cry61 is not always over-expressed in all cancers. Thus, it must take other related factors to direct it's response. The most likely happening is that Cyr61 expression gets dysregulated, does not function correctly in nature's controlled plan, and gets either over or under-expressed. Is the cancer cell smart enough as it is with other nutrients to actually cause the over-expression of Cyr61 so cancer cells can grow faster? Like using vitamin B1 for faster growth or eliminating interfering vitamin D activation and speeding it's breakdown to less effective cancer fighting forms.

BACK TO NAC INFLUENCE

And now lastly, does supplemental NAC increase the production of Cyr61 as the prostate study reported? Cyr61 stands for cysteine-rich protein 61. NAC contains cysteine. NAC can act as either a pro-oxidant or an anti-oxidant. ref 

Scientists can modify conditions to determine which oxidative function NAC will perform. This gives greater power to control cancer behavior. Watch for more cancer treatments based upon this knowledge soon. ref  Cyr61 expression is a major player in both health and disease.

Yes, Cyr61 appears to have both benefits and detriments. It is needed in just the right amounts to properly heal wounds without excessive scarring. Funny thing, this benefit is derived from it's ability to create damage in cells, the ROS pathway, setting off a cascade of events that eventually leads to the desired positive healing process. Nature's grand design. ref

This report best sums up the CCN family actions of which Cyr61, or CCN1, may be the most important.

*RECOMMENDATION: DO NOT TAKE N-ACETYL-CYSTEINE unless directed by a medical practitioner until it's influence on Cyr61 levels, direction of Cyr61 effects, and your body conditions are known. You often do not know if you already have a growing cancer before it is too late. It might be OK to use NAC for short periods at moderate dosages in certain conditions described here. Sometimes drastically different actions occur as dosages vary and go past regular dietary amounts. It appears wise to also take vitamin C to prevent cysteine for turning into kidney stone forming format. Here is a report on exercise and NAC functions. Still more to learn.

OF INTEREST: Vitamin D has a transient stimulatory effect on Cyr61 expression??? ref Is this a positive or a negative for vitamin D???  Could be either depending upon disease stages and body conditions. Did you notice that vitamin A has the opposite effect? Maybe they balance each other.

Summary copied from abstract referenced above:

"In summary, we have demonstrated that Cyr61 is regulated by E2 (Estrogen), and that anti-estrogens can block this induction in MCF-7 cells (most common of 4 types of breast cancer, Estrogen Receptor-positive). Interestingly, we determined that a possible negative regulator of Cyr61 is present in MCF-7 cells. By contrast, the effects are different when Cyr61 overexpressing cells are treated with these agents. In addition, we demonstrated that both TPA and vitamin D up-regulate the expression of Cyr61 in breast cancer cells that express high levels of ER, such as MCF-7 cells. In contrast, the differentiating agent RA inhibits the expression of Cyr61 in MCF-7 cells. All of these results are consistent with our previous findings that Cyr61 promotes breast cancer cells and tumor growth, and that tumor-promoting agents have a positive impact on cells in which Cyr61 expression is low, whereas these agents have no significant effect on cells that express high levels of Cyr61. On the other hand, down regulation of the growth-promoting activity of Cyr61 by RA may account for the ability of RA to induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

In conclusion, we demonstrate that regulation of Cyr61 is involved in breast cancer progression, and that Cyr61 should be considered as a new target for therapy. We have demonstrated that Cyr61 is highly expressed in breast carcinomas and that it induces the progression of breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. We are therefore currently investigating the mechanisms that account for Cyr61 induction of breast cancer progression."

 Analysis:

Recommendation:  DO NOT TAKE NAC without medical supervision. Yes, NAC has many beneficial functions on ROS elimination and resulting prevention of some cancers. BUT, along with many beneficial antioxidant actions, there are a few pro-oxidant ones that need to be monitored for certain subsets of the population. Does NAC increase GSH enough to interfere with the cancer destroying actions of certain chemo-drugs? 

Resveratrol

Red Vine Resveratrol on Obesity and Diabetes...
Imagine, health benefits by drinking red vine!

Here is the research:

Eur J Pharmacol. 2010 Jun 10;635(1-3):1-8. Epub 2010 Mar 19.

"Resveratrol, obesity and diabetes.

Szkudelska K, Szkudelski T.

Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland. tszkudel@jay.up.poznan.pl

Abstract

Resveratrol belongs to the large group of biologically active substances found in plants. This compound is classified as phytoestrogen because of its ability to interact with estrogen receptor. Numerous beneficial effects of resveratrol described in the literature involve cardioprotective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Recently, this broad spectrum of effects is enlarged by new data demonstrating a great potency of this compound in relation to obesity and diabetes. It is well established that resveratrol exerts beneficial effects in rodents fed a high-calorie diet. In some studies, resveratrol was reported to reduce body weight and adiposity in obese animals. The action of this compound involves favourable changes in gene expressions and in enzyme activities. The accumulating evidence also indicates the benefits of resveratrol in diabetes and diabetic complications. It is known that resveratrol affects insulin secretion and blood insulin concentration. In animals with hyperinsulinemia, resveratrol was found to reduce blood insulin. Moreover, numerous data indicate that in diabetic rats, resveratrol is able to reduce hyperglycemia. The mechanism of resveratrol's action is complex and is demonstrated to involve both insulin-dependent and insulin-independent effects. These data point to the potential possibility of use of resveratrol in preventing and/or treating both obesity and diabetes."

Another study report on blood sugar support. ref  REMEMBER: Wine still has a lot of calories.

OF INTEREST: This reference shows resveratrol increases Glutathione production to help against smoking damage to lung cells.  Next, Resveratrol regulates Cyr61 cellular actions, especially for inflammatory conditions.  See NAC above. Here is how it might influence Cyr61 type actions. Notice these are from Europe because American Researchers are not free to say such things without getting AMA and FDA upset. Germany set the agenda for plant action research when they created the Commission E reports.  ref

Caution: There are some controversies surrounding the merits of resveratrol. It got off to a shaky start in the beginning. Here is the story. article ref It seems some early research stretched some results and hid others. The chief advocate failed to satisfy certain requirements in reporting study results. Since then, more resveratrol research has surfaced where it gained back some credibility. List of research>ref ref

Quercetin

The Research

Quercetin (Que) is one half of rutin compound. For Allergies study. Here is the last line in study conclusion: "Que is a promising candidate as an effective mast cell inhibitor for allergic and inflammatory diseases, especially in formulations that permit more sufficient oral absorption."

Pretty good research on antioxidant properties and as anti-histamine for hay-fever. There is some talk about cancers, especially ones like ovarian cancer since quercetin has phytoestrogen properties*. ref**  ref 

Quercetin is showing some neuroprotective properties as well. ref

But, since it also has phytoestrogen activities, some precaution is warranted and more research is needed in this area. It may work with progesterone and estrogen and at certain doses, hinder adverse effects, especially on EM tissues. ref

Just for interest since only a rodent study of quercetin on fertility.

Vital Coronavirus Impact

 Quercetin and zinc together are under study for Coronavirus, as well as vitamin C and quercetin. While Quercetin acts to reduce inflammation, it is the ability of quercetin to function as a zinc ionophore to increase zinc uptake by cells that is critical in Covid-19. In test tubes, this combination stops the coronavirus. Obviously, a test tube is not the same as in the body study, thus the reason for continuing research. article

NOTE: It is interesting to note that the malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine is also a zinc ionophore. This ionophore might just be the best. ref Zinc is the main necessary ingredient to take with the drug. Sadly, negative results from a recent large study on hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 cast doubt on it's usage. BUT, the study results have now been retracted and the results that it increased heart disease risks are not longer valid. Far to many problems exist with the gathered data to confirm the results. Hydroxychloroquine effects on coronavirus are still in limbo. But zinc uptake may be the real issue.  Due to less possible side effects, Quercetin is a viable option to use with zinc for preventative activity.

STUDY for COVID-19 starting July 2020 now here.

* The term "phytoestrogen" might ilicit strange connotations for males consuming such products. Here is report that covers this topic. Notice that phytoestrogens can work opposite directions. One to block estrogens, or one to increase estrogen actions. As males age, estrogen levels increase, so blocking effects of phytoestrogens might extend maleness somewhat. Some females might hope for the opposite actions. Lowering prostate and breast cancer risk probably trumps.

** Copied form this study: "Furthermore, significant number of studies focused on anti-cancer properties of this bioactive compound. Several pathways have been identified which are affected by quercetin in different cancers [11, 12]. Based on available evidences, quercetin can inhibit a broad range of cancers such as breast [13], lung [14], nasopharyngeal [15], kidney [16], colorectal [17], prostate [18], pancreatic [19], as well as ovarian [20] cancers. According to the previous literature, consuming vegetables that are rich in quercetin has been associated with lower risks of ovarian cancer [21]. Similarly, consuming fruits with high levels of quercetin, including apples as well as citrus or their juice can decrease occurrence of ovarian cancer [22]. 

Quercetin is not harmful for healthy cells, while it can impose cytotoxic effects on cancer cells through several mechanisms, making it a good candidate to treat ovarian cancer or to be employed as a supplementary factor along with other anti-cancer medications [23]. In this review, we summarized the recent and eminent researches on quercetin properties in cancer therapy, especially ovarian cancer."

This is only a two year old study. Here is summary of actions for Quercetin from authors: "Quercetin is reported to have several beneficial effects on human health such as anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular protection and anticancer activity. It can act as an anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, anti-allergy, anti-viral, anti-inflammation, and anti-diabetes agent, exerting gastro-protection, anti-hypertension, immune-modulation, as well as anti-infection features are among its advantageous effects [27]." <lists 141 reference studies and reports.

Keep eating vegetables and fruits, and drinking green tea. 

1.  Onions

All onions contain quercetin, but since it’s a pigment, red and yellow onions contain the most. To keep the quercetin, peel off as little as possible of the outer layers. Onions contain many other vitamins and minerals, and they are especially rich in the vitamin biotin.

2. Kale  

Kale has a well-deserved reputation as a nutritional powerhouse. Besides quercetin, it’s also a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber. Half a cup contains only 18 calories.

3. Cherry tomatoes

All tomatoes are good sources of quercetin. Cherry tomatoes are the best because they have the highest ratio of skin to flesh. They make a great low-calorie snack, with only 37 calories per dozen.

4.  Broccoli

Along with quercetin, broccoli is rich in vitamin K and vitamin C. It also contains another flavonoid, kaempferol, that offers potent antioxidant capabilities. A one-cup serving provides 5 grams of fiber.

5.  Blueberries

Blueberries are antioxidant superstars. On top of quercetin, they contain 17 different phytochemicals including resveratrol, the antioxidant best known for appearing in red wine.    

6. Apples

Apples contain four different phytochemicals along with the beneficial fiber known as pectin. To get the benefits of quercetin, eat your apples unpeeled. Apple juice doesn’t provide the same benefits as the whole fruit.      

While the benefits appear to outweigh thses Two issues of concern, awareness might be a prudent protocol.

PRECAUTION 1: Like some nutrients, Quercetin appears to have amazing benefits (ref) along with a few potential concerns. So far, only one study with this next possibly negative result. Sometimes what looks like a negative, turns out to really be the method Mother Nature wisely harnessed for good. Remember that the body uses a damaging free radical action to help kill viruses.

This new study reveals a possible quercetin pathway leading to increased amounts of PGE-2 which are responsible for generating inflammation. The Omega 3 fatty acid EPA regulates levels of PGE2. There are far more studies on Quercetin showing an anti-inflammatory response to offset this potential negative one. ref  Quercetin levels in foods probably are not much of a factor with the presence of counter balance nutrients, but at supplement amounts, questions arise. PGE-2 also has both positive actions as well as negative ones. A positive one is to help prevent sacropenia, a muscle wasting condition, versus the major negative one of generating chronic inflammation.  ref  And even some inflammation has a value. article Balance and harmony between opposing forces are often the norm for health status.

Here is a study that found counter results that quercetin suppressed PGE-2 production. There are many more. But even with just one opposite action study, an explanation for clarification is needed. Still searching. 

Thus, until the exact ramifications of this new PGE2 aspect are analyzed and correct dosage and usage for quercetin determined, the precautionary approach might be to cycle quercetin on and off, taking only when conditions show a need.  

NOTE: Research using animals, or test tube studies with isolated cells, do not always play out the same way inside the body. More research is needed.

PRECAUTION 2: When consuming supplements of quercetin, take vitamin C at a different time, and probably better to rotate quercetin on and off. Quercetin has been shown to inhibit vitamin C transporter SVCT1. Funny, since quercetin is made from one of the vitamin C family members, rutin, it is often put together with vitamin C in supplement formulas.

There are some important links of quercetin with vitamin C functions that warrant putting the two together. Thus, why would nature add this quark of quercetin blocking out SVCT1 transportation of vitamin C. Here is one possible reason. Glucose and vitamin C are often found together in fruits. Since Vitamin C and glucose are very close in structure, quercetin ends up blocking both transporters. SVCT1&2 for vitamins C and SGLT and GLUT for glucose. The GLUTs also transport oxidized vitamin C, dehydroascorbate. The body knows it is not good to overwhelm the body with too much glucose all at once. So, taking quercetin helps to block out some of the glucose transportation.  This action of quercetin would benefit diabetics and hinder some cancers, but could it also jeopardize vitamin C intake amount and functions? 

This is why one needs to slightly increase vitamin C when taking quercetin as well as rotate quercetin off and on for different time periods. This needs more research for appropriate protocols.

Bottom Line

Nature has methods to deal with Quercetin and vitamin C together in food, as well as a sound reason. But, it may be better to take quercetin supplements at a different time of day than vitamin C. Quercetin can block a vitamin C transporter SVCT1 during absorption from the digestive tract. This should help vitamin C absorption. But once in the system, vitamin C in both reduced and oxidaized forms is continually transported around between cells and tissues. Plus, there is a process which converts the oxidized vitamin C form dehydroascorbic acid back into the active reduced form, ascorbic acid. Quercetin could negatively impact some of this transportation, but sometimes it may have a positive twist as mentioned in next paragraph. Thus, a slightly increased amount of vitamin C may be needed when taken with quercetin to offset reduced vitamin C transport. ref

Nature may have a reason for giving opposite actions to some nutrients or putting opposite nutrients together. Cancer cells such as melanoma, contain larger amounts of vitamin C than the surrounding normal tissue cells. Tumor cells gather in glucose transporters GLUT that contain the oxidized form of vitamin C.  In the tumor cells, the oxidized vitamin C is reduced back to the active vitamin C form. In this form, vitamin C ends up protecting the tumor cells from chemo-drugs. This could be one reason that querecetin and some other flavonoids like curcumin, are designed to hinder glucose transporters, especially at tumor locations. Cancer cells use glucose as their growth energy source. In animal studies, the master detox enzyme SOD given with vitamin C blocks or limits vitamin C uptake and accumulation into tumors. ref

There is more to this story that needs to be told and discovered. This will get it's own article soon.

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of Nature's Awesome foods. The sulfur compounds formed, responsible for it's strange taste, are nothing short of a gift from God. The US Government and Drug companies researched the impact of these sulfur compounds on cancers for over 20 years with remarkable results. ref ref  ref The research was abandoned because the drug companies could not artificially make the natural compounds in the lab. Thus without an element to patent, they could not protect their investment. 

Sulforaphane Glucosinolate (SGS) is one of the most dynamic compounds. It promotes healthy cell replication, especially due to its stimulation of cellular phase 2 detoxification. ref article One trade name product, BRASSICA, uses a special type of broccoli that has a far greater concentration of glucosinolates than the vegetable form sold for consumption. More research to consider on:  Bladder cancer   Lung cancer   Breast Cancer  Oral cancers  Pancreatic  Prostate

Broccoli extract ingredient Sulforaphane makes chemodrugs work better with less toxicity to normal cells. For a very complete but high technical analysis of actions for broccoli sulforaphane (SFN) and other cruicferous related nutrients, (PEITC and BITC).  ref 

One method of action explained here.  Broccoli capsule supplements are available that are much higher in sulforaphane glucosinolate content than eating fresh broccoli and avoids the taste. One example is BroccoMax by Jarrow Formulas. A new version includes the enzyme myrosinase to further increase the production of active ingredients. BUT be sure to occasionally eat some fresh broccoli too for the other valuable elements.

Copied below is a study that shows how the active elements in broccoli work on breast cancer pathways.

Preclinical and Clinical Evaluation of Sulforaphane for Chemoprevention in the Breast 2007

Brian S. Cornblatt1, Lingxiang Ye2, Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova2, Melanie Erb3, Jed W. Fahey2, Navin K. Singh3, Min-Shue A. Chen4, Tracey Stierer5, Elizabeth Garrett-Meyer6, Pedram Argani4, Nancy E. Davidson6, Paul Talalay2, Thomas W. Kensler1,2,6, and Kala Visvanathan6,7

Departments of Environmental Health Sciences1, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences2, Surgery3, Pathology4, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine5, Oncology6 , and Epidemiology7, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205

Abstract:  "Consumers of higher levels of Brassica vegetables, particularly those of the genus Brassica (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), reduce their susceptibility to cancer at a variety of organ sites. Brassica vegetables contain high concentrations of glucosinolates that can be hydrolyzed by the plant enzyme, myrosinase, or intestinal microflora to isothiocyanates, potent inducers of cytoprotective enzymes and inhibitors of carcinogenesis. Oral administration of either the isothiocyanate, sulforaphane, or its glucosinolate precursor, glucoraphanin, inhibits mammary carcinogenesis in rats treated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. In this study we sought to determine whether sulforaphane exerts a direct chemopreventive action on animal and human mammary tissue. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single 150 μmol oral dose of sulforaphane were evaluated in the rat mammary gland. We detected sulforaphane metabolites at concentrations known to alter gene expression in cell culture. Elevated cytoprotective NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene transcripts were measured using quantitative RT-PCR. An observed 3-fold increase in NQO1 enzymatic activity, as well as 4-fold elevated immunostaining of HO-1 in rat mammary epithelium, provides strong evidence of a pronounced pharmacodynamic action of sulforaphane. In a subsequent pilot study, eight healthy women undergoing reduction mammoplasty were given a single dose of a broccoli sprouts preparation containing 200 μmol of sulforaphane. Following oral dosing, sulforaphane metabolites were readily measurable in human breast tissue enriched for epithelial cells. These findings provide a strong rationale for evaluating the protective effects of a broccoli sprouts preparation in clinical trials of women at risk for breast cancer."

Broccoli extract on lung cancer. ref

CAUTION:  While phase 2 detox enzymes perform vital functions to neutralize toxic elements, they are only part of the process. There is another one called phase 1 detox enzymes that often work on important preparation processes especially converting fat soluble toxins into water soluble ones. ref These two phases are normally matched in activity creating a balanced approach, but if too much phase 1 activity develops, it can have detrimental actions on the body since phase 2 will lag behind. The still toxic and highly reactive elements would remain for too long.

One study on SGS showed that while it induced phase 2 actions, it also generated phase 1 actions in rat lung tissue. In this study, SGS generated destructive results since too many reactive species or toxic forms of elements were created. Until this issue is resolved, it may be wise to just use SGS after the fact of disease development and not as a daily preventative agent. Balance between the two phases may be the answer.

"Isothiocyanates and indoles derived from the hydrolysis of glucosinolates, such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol (I3C), have been implicated in a variety of anticarcinogenic mechanisms, but deleterious effects also have been reported in some experimental protocols, including tumor promotion over prolonged periods of exposure."

This may well be a case of an extract from broccoli needing other elements in broccoli that did not make it out in the extract or are formed as by-products that upset or are used as a balancing factor. This was seen in beta carotene where the synthetic form did not have both forms found in nature, all-trans plus 9-cis. It was the 9-cis form that might protect smokers from increased cancer rates who only used the all-trans synthetic beta carotene in the study.

Broccoli Sprouts  

While fresh broccoli is a wise choice as a vegetable, for therapeutic actions a higher concentration is needed. Three day old Broccoli sprouts can contain 10-100 times the amount of active compounds than are found in fresh broccoli. ref If you take a supplement, while the amounts are sometimes compared to the amounts in fresh broccoli, the amounts still are usually less than in broccoli sprouts. Make sure any supplement mentions the enzyme myrosinase on label as this enzyme is needed to convert nutrients into the active form. ref

There is always the possibility that nutrients can have both benefits are one dosage and adverse effects at either low or excessive levels. Broccoli SGS may be such an ingredient. ref 

The precautionary approach says it probably is best to not take broccoli extracts or sprouts all the time, on and off as symptoms or history dictate.