How might compounds in cruciferous vegetables help protect against cancer?
Folate plays an important role in DNA repair and the methylation of DNA, which affects the expression of cancer-related genes. Chlorophyll can form tight complexes with chemicals from tobacco smoke or charred meat (cooked meat mutagens) that are known or suspected to cause cancer. The tight binding of chlorophyll to these potential carcinogens may interfere with their absorption and reduce the amount that reaches susceptible tissues. Glucosinolate breakdown products, which are unique to cruciferous vegetables, could help prevent cancer in several ways. Isothiocyanates and indoles may increase the activity of enzymes that play an important role in the detoxification and elimination of carcinogens. Indoles may alter the metabolism and activity of estrogens in the body, which could play a role in hormone-associated cancers, such as breast or prostate cancer. Some isothiocyanates, such as sulforaphane, can act as histone deacetylase inhibitors, which have the potential to suppress the deve
