Cabbage clue to heart treatment
Monday September 7th, 2009
Broccoli
and cabbage may have a near-magic ability to help combat the development
of heart disease, British researchers have reported.
Vegetables such as brussels sprouts contain a chemical that reacts in a special way to prevent disease of the arteries, according to the new findings.
The chemical, sulforaphane, is found in so-called brassica vegetables, green leafy vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, rocket and brussels sprouts. It is richest in broccoli.
According to the researchers at Imperial College, London, sulforaphane "switches on" a protein called Nrf2.
The research shows that Nrf2 often fails to work in those parts of the arteries that are prone to swelling and clogging up. This especially happens in the bends and branches of arteries, which are known to be prone to disease.
The finding provides more evidence of the health benefits of green leafy vegetables - but may also lead to specific treatments for heart disease.
The findings come from laboratory studies of mice and are reported in the journal Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
Researcher Dr Paul Evans said: "Sulforaphane is found naturally in broccoli, so our next steps include testing whether simply eating broccoli, or other vegetables in their family, has the same protective effect. We also need to see if the compound can reduce the progression of disease in affected arteries."
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, added:
"These fascinating findings provide a possible mechanism by which eating vegetables protects against heart disease.
"As well as adding evidence to support the importance of eating five-a-day, the biochemistry revealed in this research could lead to more targeted dietary or medical approaches to prevent or lessen disease that leads to heart attacks and strokes."
Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology September 3, 2009 DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.109.193375
Tags: Diet & Food | Heart Health | UK News
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