ALL plants contain naturally occurring toxins that are meant to deter attacks
by bacteria, fungi, and insects. To a large extent, the content of vitamins
and minerals compensate for the toxins (except in what most people recognize
as truly deadly plants). In addition, the body's cytochrome P450 enzyme
system breaks down these toxins and prepares them for excretion. The
cytochrome P450 system is dependent on a good diet with abundant vitamins and
minerals, or it doesn't function properly. Bruce N. Ames, PhD, of UC Berekely
has written a number of excellent papers describing what happens. Some people
don't like Ames because he has said that the naturally occurring pesticides
are more dangerous than the manmade variety. I'm not going to get into that
argument...but Ames is a sound, respectable scientist. He has pointed out,
for example, that potatoes and alfalfa spouts also contain potent
carcinogens. You should be able to find references to his papers without too
much difficulty. His is quite prolific (and a big supporter of the use of
antioxidant vitamins, which are needed for the cytochrome P450 system).

Jack Challem
Editor & Publisher
THE NUTRITION REPORTER TM newsletter

Garlic contains mercaptanes, volatile Se
compounds, diallylsulfides, ..., all of them quite toxic, though
quite healthy in the concentration given (Nature).

Broccoli contains betacarotene (and -like compounds) which may
explain the anti-cancer properties. And BTW there are much more
toxins and carcinogens in processed meat, particularly those of
the aminocarboline type. Nevertheless people just do not care
about that, untill colon cancer erupts.

Angier, Natalie.
     Benefits of broccoli confirmed as chemical blocks tumor growth.
(research by Dr. Paul Talalay and Dr. Gary H. Posner on sulforaphane in
broccoli, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences)...
     New York Times v143 (Tue, April 12, 1994):B8(N), C11(L), col 5, 17
col in.

Angier, Natalie.
     Potent element to fight cancer seen in broccoli. (sulforaphane)
     New York Times v141, sec1 (Sun, March 15, 1992):1(N), 1(L), col 1,
28 col in.

For the time being I stick to thiodipropionates.

Best regards,

This sounds a little like a search for magic bullets. According to my copy of
the Nutrition Almanac (a fairly basic reference), broccoli is high in
beta-carotene, vitamin C, and selenium. It's also high in sulforaphane and
fiber. All have anti-cancer benefits. I'll stick with the whole food, thank
you.

Jack Challem
Editor & Publisher
THE NUTRITION REPORTER TM newsletter

Angier, Natalie.
     Benefits of broccoli confirmed as chemical blocks tumor growth.
(sulforaphane)
     New York Times v143 (Tue, April 12, 1994):B8(N), C11(L), col 5, 17
col in.

Angier, Natalie.
     Potent element to fight cancer seen in broccoli. (sulforaphane)
     New York Times v141, sec1 (Sun, March 15, 1992):1(N), 1(L), col 1,
28 col in.

Zhang Y; Talalay P; Cho CG; Posner GH.
     A major inducer of anticarcinogenic protective enzymes from
broccoli: isolation and elucidation of structure. (sulforaphane)
   Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States
of America, 1992 Mar 15, 89(6):2399-403.

I can post the abstract of the Zhang et al. article from Medline
if anyone is interested. Certainly there are other substances in
broccoli that have anti-carcinogenic properties, but sulforaphane
seems to be *by far* the most important. If I can get 400 times
as much by taking a pill as by eating whole broccoli (see my first
post in this thread) then I think I'll take the pill.....

Angier, Natalie.
     Benefits of broccoli confirmed as chemical blocks tumor growth.
(sulforophane)
     New York Times v143 (Tue, April 12, 1994):B8(N), C11(L), col 5, 17
col in.

Angier, Natalie.
     Potent element to fight cancer seen in broccoli. (sulforaphane)
     New York Times v141, sec1 (Sun, March 15, 1992):1(N), 1(L), col 1,
28 col in.

Zhang Y; Talalay P; Cho CG; Posner GH.
     A major inducer of anticarcinogenic protective enzymes from
broccoli: isolation and elucidation of structure. (sulforaphane)
   Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States
of America, 1992 Mar 15, 89(6):2399-403.

I can post the abstract of the Zhang et al. article from Medline
if anyone is interested...... certainly other substances in
broccoli have anti-carcinogenic properties, but sulforophane
seems to be *by far* the most important, and if I can easily
get 400 times as much by taking a pill as I would by eating
whole broccoli (see my first post in this thread) I think I'll
take the pill........

David,

   If your pill actually does contain 400 times as much sulforaphane as
broccoli, then I *know* that I do not want it.  There is a proper dose
for everything, and even though a certain amount may be beneficial, 400
times as much can just as well be downright harmful.  Taking this tablet
makes as much sense as taking 400 aspirin tablets, or drinking 400 glasses
of orange juice.

I'm not going to beat this into the ground, but you're making an assumption
that sulforaphane is the most important. Broccoli also contains
beta-carotene, vitamin C, and selenium, which are also important...and, by
the way, backed up by far more research. While you're taking your pills,
consider the fact that you might be missing something as yet undiscovered in
broccoli. I'm one of the biggest advocates of supplements around (read my
articles), but supplements don't replace foods.

Jack Challem
Editor & Publisher
THE NUTRITION REPORTER TM newsletter