Glorious WATERCRESS #3

WaterCress:

Part 3


The Brassica Family:

Key to Cancer Prevention

A study published in the International Journal of Oncology
demonstrated the link between diet and stress-induced cancer.
Researchers examined the possible growth-promoting effects of the
stress-associated hormone norepinephrine on immortalized human
pancreatic duct epithelial cells. The results indicated that
norepineph rine can increase the proliferation of these cells.
Norepinephrine also increased interleukin-6 and vascular
endothelial growth factor, both believed to promote cancer of
pancreatic duct epithelial cells. Simply put, this demonstrates
another verifiable link between stress and cancer.

Armed with this discovery, the researchers began to test the
dietary antioxidants sulforaphane and resveratrol to see if they
could inhibit norepinephrine-mediated increases in cell
proliferation. The results indicated that sulforaphane but not
resveratrol could do so. The researchers believe that
sulforaphane's anticancer activity is related to the induction of
phase 2 enzymes such as quinine reductase and glutathione
S-transferase, and the enhanced transcription of tumor suppressor
proteins.

Sulforaphane, discovered by accident in 1995 by a group of
scientists researching the anticancer compounds in broccoli, is a
phytochemical compound that can be obtained by eating cruciferous
vegetables such as arugula, watercress, brussels sprouts,
broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale,
collards, kohlrabi, mustard, turnip, radish, and rutabaga.
Sulforaphane is particularly abundant in watercress and broccoli
sprouts.

We know that stress accelerates aging and disease. When you are
under stress, your immune system is also compromised, weakening
your ability to ward off invading organisms. Chronic stress
raises the level of the excitatory hormones, including
norepinephrine and cortisol, which can wear your body down and
lead to disease. Sulforaphane inhibits the
norepinephrine-mediated increase in the interleukin-6 levels in
the cells, which is a very good thing. Interleukin-6 is
responsible for the shift from acute inflammation to chronic
inflammation, the root of so many diseases. Finding a safe and
effective substance that can inhibit the overproduction of
norepinephrine is a significant accomplishment.

Watercress, Turmeric, and Breast Cancer

Numerous studies validating the cancer-fighting properties of
watercress continue to appear in medical journals. Studies
include human trials in Germany and the University of Minnesota
that indicated that watercress consumption can repair damaged
DNA. Studies in the United Kingdom of breast cancer survivors,
published in early 2010, have recorded equally impressive
results.

Rutgers researchers tested turmeric, and its active ingredient,
curcumin (see page 43 for more on this Indian spice), along with
phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a naturally occurring substance
particularly abundant in the cruciferous vegetables, especially
watercress, cabbage, winter cress, broccoli, brussels sprouts,
kale, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and turnips. The discovery was
announced in the journal Cancer Research. According to Ah-Ng Tony
Kong, a professor of pharmaceutics at Rutgers: "The bottom line
is that PEITC and curcumin, alone or in combination, demonstrate
significant cancer-preventive qualities in laboratory mice, and
the combination of PEITC and curcumin could be effective in
treating established prostate cancers."
.............

SO TIME INDEED TO BE EATING WATERCRESS AS PART OF YOUR REGULAR
DIET. THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME ... IT'S EXCITING WHEN YOU FIND NEW
THINGS; WE SHOULD BE EVER LEARNING, WILLING, WANTING TO LEARN AS
PEOPLE DISCOVER MORE TRUTH ABOUT WHATEVER. IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL
THIS LAST YEAR OR TWO, TO FIND NEW HISTORY BOOKS ON THE REAL
TRUTH OF THE MATTER REGARDING HISTORY THAT IS RECORDED, BUT HAS
BEEN COVERED OVER FOR VARIOUS REASONS IN THE LAST 3 OR 4 HUNDRED
YEARS. I'VE MENTIONED IT AND EVEN PUT SOME OF IT UP ON MY WEBSITE
UNDER "HISTORY" SECTION.
......