Many forms of cancer are ultimately deadly, and few cancers are more dangerous than pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which represents less than 2% of all cancer cases but is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women.
The disease had a five-year survival rate of less than 5% as of 2013, according researchers from the Medical College at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Alabama-Birmingham, who released the results of a promising clinical trial in August 2020.
The researchers studied the effects of a potent natural substance on the deadly cancer: broccoli sprouts, a powerful yet inexpensive dietary addition that could hold the key to higher survival rates.
Death Rate Much Lower in Broccoli Sprouts Group
The pilot study, undertaken on 40 patients with palliative chemotherapy, divided the subjects into two groups: one with a placebo and one with a treatment regiment of 15 capsules of pulverized broccoli sprouts containing 90 mg/508 μmol sulforaphane (a natural compound found in cruciferous vegetables with many health benefits) and 180 mg/411 μmol glucoraphanin (another cruciferous vegetable compound that is converted to sulforaphane) or methylcellulose (a chemical compound derived from cellulose) were administered daily for up to 1 year.
“Broccoli sulforaphane is a promising new treatment due to the results of recent epidemiological, experimental and patient studies,” the researchers stated as part of the abstract of the study, which was published in the journal Investigational New Drugs.
Twenty-nine of the patients took the broccoli sprouts supplement while 11 took the placebo.
When the trial was finished, the mean death rate was found to be lower in the treatment group during the first six months after intake (day 30: 0%/18%, day 90: 0%/25%, and day 180: 25%/43%).
A Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a higher survival rate, the study’s abstract section added.
After one year, a high drop-out rate was recorded (72% in the treatment group and 55% in the placebo group) according to the study.
Some patients had difficulty taking in 15 capsules of the broccoli sprouts supplement, the study’s authors write, and the sprouts sometimes increased digestive problems, nausea and emesis (vomiting). But for those who were able to continue consuming the sprouts, the pay-off was clear.
Broccoli Sprouts to Be Patented as a Drug in Near Future?
According to the researchers, the results were not “statistically significant,” but they did state that the “knowledge about the feasibility is the basis for the development of new sulforaphane drugs.”
Any potential new drugs would be based off of the natural substance studied, as is often the case, allowing pharmaceutical companies to patent their formulas for the purposes of preserving profits. As usual, this research is being suppressed and ignored in the mainstream media, as pharmaceutical giants swoop in to create and patent new drugs based off of natural healing supplements that are incredibly powerful just the way nature made them.
Aside from the possible digestive issues (which could very well have been caused by the chemotherapy being administered), broccoli sprouts have no known side effects other than the potential for them to be contaminated with harmful bacteria if they are not grown in a sanitary environment.
Broccoli Sprouts Are One of the Most Powerful Healing Foods of All-Time
According to Dr. David Jockers, broccoli sprouts help facilitate profound healing at the cellular level, in six specific ways:
- Activating Antioxidant Pathways-
The sulforaphane mentioned above is a precursor to healthy bodily function in a wide variety of areas, paving the way for a powerful anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting response.
“Studies found that a powerful antioxidant signaling gene referred to as NRF2 is dependent on the bioavailability of SF in the body,” Jockers wrote.
The substance is “like a strong leader that provides the tools and support for his team to reach a goal.”
- Anti-Cancer Enzymes-
The anti-cancer enzymes Quinone Reductase, Glutathione S-Transferase, and Phase II Enzymes are all provided by broccoli sprouts as well.
- Glutathione Production-
report this adKnown as the body’s “master antioxidant,” glutathione production is stimulated in the body by both broccoli and cauliflower sprouts.
“It is estimated that each cell in the body withstands 10,000 hits by free radicals each day. Glutathione disarms these free radicals before they wreak havoc and cleans up the oxidative stress related damage that has occurred,” Jockers said.
- Source of Quercetin-
Jockers states that the sprouts also contain quercetin, which is “intricately involved with preventing the spread of cancer” by blocking the signals telling cancer cells to reproduce and spread.
The substance also allows cancer cells to perform apoptosis, a natural, ongoing process in which they self destruct within the human body before they have a chance to proliferate and become harmful.
- Antimicrobial Powers-
Jockers cites a 2014 study published in the journal Trials stating that broccoli sprouts have been used since ancient times as natural antibiotics and key components of antiviral drugs.
The antimicrobial compounds in broccoli sprouts help to cleanse the digestive tract of harmful bacteria, fostering a far healthier environment where cancer cells are hard-pressed to survive.
- Sprouts Improve Gut Microflora-
Again because of the “magic antioxidant” sulforaphane, broccoli sprouts are able to protect against harmful gut bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori in the gastrointestinal tract.
This antioxidant, found in broccoli sprouts or broccoli sprout supplements, is known to protect against gastritis and to help reduce the risk of stomach cancer.
Consuming sprouts or supplements containing sprouts can also protect against intestinal and colorectal cancer, Dr. Jockers states on his website.
“Maintaining healthy gut microflora is essential to a healthy immune system required for reducing inflammation and reducing your risk of cancer,” Jockers concludes.
How to Get More Broccoli Sprouts in Your Diet
Despite being one of the biggest powerhouse cancer-fighting foods in the world, broccoli sprouts are not widely found at most grocery stores, especially in their most pure, organic form. I do find them at Meijer and Kroger grocery stores from time-to-time, where they are generally cheaper than at the health food store.
If you can’t find them at the store, you can always grow them at home, using a simple sprouting process involving organic broccoli sprout seeds, a few inches of filtered water, and mason jars.
The website WellnessMama has an excellent guide on how to get started sprouting at home, including information from Dr. Rhonda Patrick on how to increase the powerful sulforaphane healing compound at home using a heat-based preparation method.
Alternatively if you don’t have time to set up and tend to your sprouts, you can also add more broccoli sprouts to your diet through supplementation.
This particular product includes a blend of organic sprouts designed to support healthy immune function, weight loss, digestive function, energy production and more.