Some sciency info regarding healty and helpful diet

Cruciferous vegetables are capable of inhibiting the expression of two genes connected with cancer of genetic origin: BRCA1 and BRCA2. By cruciferous vegetables we mean cabbage and alike: Brussels sprouts, collard, cauliflower, headed cabbage, turnip and radish. These products constitute an important part of cancer patient’s daily nutrition needs. Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates that possess anticancer properties. Most widely studied glucosinolates that affect cancer are: indole-3-carbinol (large amounts of which are found in broccoli) and sulphoraphane (in cauliflower). Glucosinolates bring the specific aroma and taste to cruciferous vegetables. When walls of cells of these vegetables are squeezed by pestle or cut by knife, its enzyme, myrosinase, comes into play and transforms glucosinolates into isothiocyanates, real anticancer agents.

In this case olive oil deserves a special attention. It contains an irreplaceable fatty acid called oleic acid (omega-9) that reduces expression of HER2/neu oncogene. High level of protein encoded by HER2/neu gene is found in the fifth of all breast cancer patients. This gene is associated with aggressive tumors and bad prognosis not only in case of breast cancer but also in case of ovarian and stomach cancer Olive oil is very useful in treating these types of tumors.

Oleic acid increases the effect of Trastuzumab (Gerpecin®), a drug that contains monoclonal antibodies that target HER2/neu and intended to prolong the life of breast cancer patients. Turmeric (curcuma longa) also possesses similar properties and proven its effect that is comparable with this pharmaceutical product of Roche company. This spice inhibits the factors of tumor necrosis and blocks HER2 gene. Moreover, oleic acid strengthens the effect of another widely used medicine in ovarian and breast cancer patients - paclitaxel.

Saint Mary’s thistle helps adjusting the level of estrogens in blood and is useful in treating hormone-dependent tumor. Be careful when taking tamoxifen (breast cancer drug), because Saint Mary’s thistle and pomegranate increase its absorption by the body.