Sulforaphane in broccoli

BerylM

Hi

This is my first posting. I have arthritis in my knees, thighs, lower back, right hand and wrist, and over the years have taken many supplements, but cannot say with any conviction that any have truly worked. I'm not on any medication apart from store bought Anadin Extra. My walking is fast deteriorating and I now use a walking stick when out and about. And my balance isn't good.

I have read that the University of East Anglia has done research into Sulforaphane in broccoli to reduce inflammation caused by arthritis, and wondered what the results are. And if the results have been positive what is the best way to get sulforaphane into the system. By capsule? Including fresh broccoli in a smoothie, or juicing it, or perhaps making a soup out of it?

I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this.

noddingtonpete

Hello @BerylM and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you have arthritis in your knees, thighs, lower back, right hand and wrist and wondering about the benefits of broccoli. As you say there is a research study into this which has received grant funding from Versus Arthritis and hopefully this will produce some good results. In the meantime have a look through the following

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/diet/

You also say you are not on any prescribed medication so I would suggest consulting your GP to see if they can give you something to help. Have a read through the following first

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on

With very best wishes

Peter (moderator)

stickywicket

Interesting, @BerylM . So we really should eat our greens 😀

I've tried finding the results of this study and failed. Lots of sites saying they're recruiting for it but old ones. One US site said the study was due to run until December 2021. Still no results.

I found one articld on the BBC. Why not write to the laxy heading the study and ask? Meanwhile, keep eatng brocoli! But I would heck with your GP or pharmacist if it'OK to take Anadin . Many people shouldn't.

Arthuritis

@noddingtonpete Hi there! I hope you might know who in VA deals with hospital research grants at the VA, as my local hosp RA research team are want to apply. Would you be able to point me in the right direction for the research group to write to?

A

Anna

Hi @Arthuritis,

Here’s some information about applying to VA for research grants - hope it’s useful:

https://versusarthritis.org/research/

Best wishes,

Anna ( Moderator)

iwannerbeme

I think there are a few animal and test tube studies showing the benefits of Sulforaphane, ive not heard of the one you mention in particular. Sulforaphane is found in quite a few veggies such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. Sulforaphane is mentioned as having anti-cancer properties and supporting heart health, it is part of an anti inflamatory diet. I dont think there is a "superfood" on its own that can help but blue berries, good quality olive oil are good for inflamation too. BBC good food have a good choice of anti inflamatory recipies. There is a lot of talk too about the risks of ultra processed food and poor health. I guess focussing on a meditarian diet and cutting out the ultra processed could be helpful. My consultant reckoned diet was around 20 per cent of the problem/cure of RA.

Arthuritis

@Anna Thanks! Very useful!

@iwannerbeme Note that sulforaphane does not exist in plants in free form. It is formed like many defence chemicals when 2 compounds in the plant chemically react to form sulforaphane, such as when you chew on the raw broccoli, producing a distinctive bitter taste to put you off. (Plants can’t run away so it’s a frequently used defence strategy). If you cook the broccoli one of the compounds needed to form sulforaphane is destroyed, so sulforaphane is not formed when cooked broccoli is eaten, you won’t benefit from UNLESS you eat it with raw sliced radishes, which also contains the compound destroyed by cooking. So cooked broccoli and raw radishes will form sulforaphane

iwannerbeme

Thanks for that info. I have noted that raw veggies are said to be best for our health. The less processed the better. I love getting stuf from garden and eating it raw. I never knew the science. Every day is a school day here! xx