Kale force

With all the expensive cancer drugs on the market these days, it’s hard to believe that something as simple as a bowl of kale or broccoli could dramatically boost your chances of beating this disease.

But it’s true. And clinical support for this shockingly simple solution just keeps mounting.

Chinese scientists recently carried out a meta-analysis of 13 different epidemiological studies of more than 18,000 women with breast cancer. Results revealed that cruciferous veggies reduce risk of developing the disease by 15 percent.

The researchers cited a class of compounds called glucosinolates as the driving factor behind this benefit. Your body converts these cruciferous phytochemicals into potent anticancer compounds like isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol.

This conclusion came with one caveat, however. Protection was only statistically significant in the case of postmenopausal breast cancer.

But bear in mind that the vast majority of new breast cancer diagnoses occur in women over 40. So don’t let this exception deter you from adding a few extra servings of cruciferous veggies into your diet.

Just remember that variety is the spice of life. Cruciferous vegetables are just one class of produce with an impressive track record against cancer. Needless to say, there are a lot more where these particular leafy greens came from.

I’ll be talking all about how to choose the right foods to escape a cancer diagnosis in the December issue of Logical Health Alternatives. So if you haven’t subscribed yet, do yourself a favor and sign up now.

Source:
“Cruciferous vegetables intake is inversely associated with risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis.” Breast 2012; Aug 6 (epub ahead of print)