Daily Mail, By DAILY MAIL REPORTER, 16th September 2010
Broccoli has been hailed by scientists as a 'super food' for joints which could cure millions of arthritis sufferers.
The green vegetable is rich in the compound sulforaphane and initial research has suggested this may play a key role in protecting bones and joints and stop them from wasting away.
The humble broccoli has anti-cancer properties and scientists now believe it may also protect joints |
Scientists at the University of East Anglia have found the chemical blocks the enzymes that cause joint destruction in osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis.
The team are now launching a new project that they hope will lead to a new broccoli-based treatment for Britain's six million arthritis sufferers.
Professor Ian Clark said: 'We all know broccoli is good for you but this is the first time it has been linked to a osteoarthritis.
'We know there is a chemical, sulforaphane, in broccoli that can slow down cartilage destruction and we want to see if this can actually get into the joints and stop the progress of the condition.
'The UK has an aging population and developing new strategies for combating age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis is vital - to improve the quality of life for sufferers but also to reduce the economic burden on society.'
Around 30 patients will be fed the cruciferous vegetable ahead of joint replacement operations.
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They will then be examined after their surgery to see if sulforaphane has successfully entered their joints.
If the test is found to be effective then more patients will be recruited for a larger clinical trial.
Professor Clark said: 'The results could mean we prevent many, many more needing to go for surgery because progress of the disease will either be slowed down or completely halted. It really is a breakthrough project.'
Currently, people suffering from arthritis can only choose between short-term pain relief or joint replacement operations.
Arthritis Research UK and the Diet and Health Research Industry Club (DRINC), is funding the £650,000 project.
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability in the UK where it affects around six million people.
It is a degenerative joint disease which gradually destroys the cartilage in the joints, particularly in the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees of older people.
Broccoli has previously been linked with reducing the risk of cancer and is regarded as a 'super food'. However, there has not yet been a major study of its effects on joint health
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