Sulforaphane: Powerful Greens Against Cancer

Sulforaphane is a natural compound — an isothiocyanate — found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. It has shown promising effects against cancer, as well as against cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes.

How sulforaphane may work against cancer

Many studies have found that sulforaphane can be used in cancer prevention, and it appears to act in two broad ways.

First, it helps protect healthy cells. Sulforaphane activates the body's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses and shields healthy cells from carcinogens — substances that can cause cancer — by preventing them from binding to DNA. This helps stop healthy cells from mutating into cancer cells.

Second, it acts on cancer cells that have already formed. Sulforaphane activates apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death, and blocks the cancer cell cycle responsible for cancer cell growth and development, which prevents cancer cells from proliferating. It has also been found to act synergistically with certain chemotherapy drugs.

These anti-cancer properties have been observed across various types of cancer, including breast, prostate, colon, skin, lung, stomach and bladder cancer.

How sulforaphane is taken

Sulforaphane can be taken orally as a supplement.

What the research suggests

Several studies have examined the anti-cancer effects of sulforaphane. Some explain the mechanisms behind its anti-cancer action, while others review its biochemical and biological properties and how these relate to its anti-cancer effects. A further article summarises the clinical studies conducted on sulforaphane and cancer, and another explores how it works synergistically with a chemotherapy drug to suppress ovarian cancer.