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Broccoli Sprout Extract Health Benefits
Broccoli sprout extract health benefits include anticancer and antibacterial properties. These advantages appear to come from sulforaphane, a potent phytonutrient found in high concentrations in broccoli sprouts. The concentration of sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts is about 20 to 50 times greater than it is in mature broccoli.
Sulforaphane is a potent inducer of enzymes that protects against cancer-causing chemicals. For this reason, some researchers have investigated broccoli sprout extract health benefits associated with this phytonutrient.
In a recent Japanese study, scientists evaluated the effect of broccoli sprout extract and selenium against prostate cancer cell lines. Selenium is a mineral and antioxidant that has potential as an anticancer agent. The researchers discovered that selenium-enriched broccoli sprout extract was superior to normal broccoli sprout extract in several ways. Those areas included inhibiting cell proliferation, reducing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) secretion, and inducing cell death among prostate cancer cells. (Abdulah 2009)
Investigators at Stanford University in California explored the impact of sulforaphane against prostate cancer cell growth and life cycle. Their analyses demonstrated that sulforaphane both inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and induced arrest of the life cycle. They also concluded that sulforaphane appears to be the main active ingredient in broccoli sprouts and thus it may be an appropriate source for sulforaphane in studies. (Bhamre 2009)
Further evidence of the anticancer properties of broccoli sprout extract was seen in a 2011 Canadian study. In that case, researchers found that high levels of hydrogen sulfide are released when sulforphane is added to prostate cancer cells. This is important because it shows that hydrogen sulfide helps sulforaphane inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. (Pei 2011)
No recommended dose of broccoli sprout extract has been established, and no significant side effects have been noted. If you want to explore broccoli sprout extract health benefits, consult your healthcare provider before taking the supplement.
References
Abdulah R et al. Selenium enrichment of broccoli sprout extract increases chemosensitivity and apoptosis of LNCaP prostate cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2009 Nov 30; 9:414
Bhamre S et al. Temporal changes in gene expression induced by sulforaphane in human prostate cancer cells. Prostate 2009 Feb 1; 69(2): 181-90
Pei Y et al. Hydrogen sulfide mediates the anti-survival effect of sulforaphane on human prostate cancer cells. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 2011 Dec 15; 257(3): 420-28
