Glucoraphanin, also known as sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS(TM)), a naturally-occurring compound found in broccoli sprouts and broccoli, may reduce risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to new research published in the May 4 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA.
The study, titled, "Dietary Approach to Attenuate Oxidative Stress, Hypertension and Inflammation in the Cardiovascular System" was conducted by a team lead by Bernhard H.J. Juurlink, Ph.D. at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
The researchers looked at the association between a diet containing broccoli sprouts, selected for their highly concentrated levels of SGS, and reduced oxidative stress in a well-recognized animal model for hypertension in humans.
Oxidative stress occurs when an unstable molecule of a normal cell, also known as a free radical, reacts with oxygen compounds in the body, causing inflammation and damaging cells and tissues that may contribute to cancer and heart disease.
"Increasing evidence suggests that antioxidant defense mechanisms may be boosted by specific chemicals known as Phase 2 protein inducers, some of which can be found in certain foods," says Dr. Juurlink. "Nearly all the studies to date on sulforaphane, glucoraphanin and broccoli sprouts have focused on the protective effects of these substances against cancer.
This study is the first to show that broccoli sprouts rich in these compounds -- through raising the antioxidant and thereby the anti-inflammatory capacities of cells -- profoundly affect the cardiovascular system and can correct major dysfunctions such as hypertension and stroke."
To determine whether an SGS-rich diet would decrease oxidative stress and associated problems, Dr. Juurlink and his colleagues fed broccoli sprouts to rats that were prone to high blood pressure and stroke. For 14 weeks, the rats consumed broccoli sprouts that were either rich in glucoraphanin or depleted of glucoraphanin. Rats fed a glucoraphanin-rich diet exhibited increased tissue antioxidant defense mechanisms, lowered inflammatory response and improved cardiovascular health as demonstrated by decreased blood pressure and decreased inflammation in the heart, arteries and kidneys.
According to Dr. Juurlink, when one considers that the American Heart Association estimated the direct and indirect costs of hypertension to the U.S. health care system in 2003 at $50 billion, our research findings have added importance in that the results show that even a modest change in diet has the potential to have a major impact on health and reduce health care costs significantly.
"This study opens up a whole new area of research that may lead to a simple, preventive measure that may help millions of Americans reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease," says Dr. Juurlink. "Although more research needs to be done to fully establish the link between SGS and improved heart health, the findings are encouraging."
Phase 2 Enzymes - Long Lasting Antioxidants Glucoraphanin or SGS plays a role in boosting the body's natural Phase 2 enzyme antioxidant defense systems and functions as a powerful indirect antioxidant detoxifying carcinogens before they can damage cells.
Typical direct antioxidant molecules, such as Vitamins C and E, scavenge one free radical or other oxidant molecule at a time. Once a direct antioxidant molecule binds to a free radical molecule, rendering it harmless, the antioxidant is consumed and is no longer active.
The indirect antioxidant SGS works as a catalyst. It does not neutralize free radicals directly, but rather boosts the body's own antioxidant systems (including Phase 2 detoxification enzymes) that exert ongoing and prolonged antioxidant activity.
This is a broad spectrum of activity, cycling over and over, removing many free radicals. It is like an army of antioxidants, ready to neutralize free radicals over a period of time, and continues to be effective in the body for at least a day, even after SGS is gone.