Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables, including Arugula, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Watercress, Bok Choy, Turnip Greens, Mustard Greens, and Collard Greens, Rutabaga, Napa or Chinese Cabbage, Daikon, Radishes, Turnips, Kohlrabi, and Kale, are very special vegetables. They help our bodies fight cancer. Isothiocyanates stimulate our bodies to break potential carcinogens down. Therefore, they prevent our normal cells from becoming cancerous cells. They have been associated with metabolizing toxins from smoke and lowering the risk of tobacco-related cancers. Only cruciferous vegetables contain the nutrient isothiocyanates which has been associated with a decrease in lung cancer. Even nonsmokers benefit because of second-hand smoke. Sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol is most concentrated in these vegetables and this is linked with reducing the risk of breast, prostrate, cervical, and other cancers. It can delay the onset of cancer and reduce the size and growth of tumors. Cruciferous vegetables also help reduce homocysteine levels so they reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. http://www.deliciousorganics.com/recipes/b...cauliflower.htm

Vegetables and detoxification


Written by Dr Dan Rutherford, GP


Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables include the sub-group Brassicas, so named for their cross-shaped flowers. They include:


broccoli

brussels sprouts

cabbage

cauliflower

daikon radish

kale

kohlrabi

mustard/chard greens

parsnips

rutabagas

turnips

watercress.


Brussels sprouts and cabbage have always inspired contrasting feelings of school dinner trauma or welcome nourishment but accompanied by their relatives in the group they are important vegetables in disease prevention and the maintenance of good health.

Cruciferous vegetables contain phytochemicals called glucosinolates which promote the 'excretor' part of the detoxification enzyme system, thus enhancing the removal of toxic substances from the body.

Some of the benefits of these vegetables are lost in cooking, so try to follow these practical tips:


* eat raw vegetables at least twice a week.

* lightly steam vegetables so they retain their colour, fibrous structure, nutrient content and health giving benefits.

* don't overcook. This causes a change in colour and releases sulphides, the compounds responsible for the unpleasant smell of overcooked cabbage.


Allium vegetables

Garlic and onions are also helpful in attaining good health. They contain compounds called allyl sulphides which provide them with their distinctive, though not always pleasant smell.

The main chemical that has been isolated in garlic is alliin. When garlic is crushed, alliin combines with the enzyme allinase to produce allicin.

Allicin, along with other sulphur-containing chemicals, is thought to be responsible for helping reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. It is believed that onions behave in a similar manner to garlic, although to a lesser degree. They and the other Allium group vegetables increase the activity of Phase II excretor enzymes.
Vegetables in the allium group include:


chives

garlic

leeks

onions

shallots

spring onions.

Allicin and quercetin, another compound found in the allium family, are also antioxidants.

To obtain maximum benefit from the allium group of vegetables, try to follow these practical tips:

eat two to five cloves of garlic a week. Ideally garlic should be eaten every day together with at least one member of the onion family.

you can eat garlic and onions on a daily basis by adding them to your food as part of the seasoning and flavouring with the knowledge that only 10 per cent of their effectiveness is lost in cooking.

you can take garlic as a supplement. Use garlic tablets, as there is little benefit in taking garlic oil which does not contain allicin.

the one thing i would be concerned about is do broccoli pills contain iodine? and too much iodine can cause acne right?
what do u guys think?

Thats a huge regime you have there.
Im glad it works for you, I'd be surprised if it had the same effect on others though.