“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the body with drugs, but
instead will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” This famous quote by
Thomas Edison has been tossed around for the past several decades yet few
people take advantage of the medicine of the future—FOOD. The concept food
should be used as medicine has been around for a long time. Hippocrates, the
ancient Greek physician said, “Let Your Food be Your Medicine and Your Medicine
be Your Food.” Considering most people recognize medications have scary side
effects and serious limitations, the above words are quite encouraging.
Mountains of research studies prove food is the best medicine to prevent
chronic disease. Even more promising is the new research and clinical evidence
from physicians in the field, including myself, proving the right food can cure
chronic disease. Each and every day I am privileged to observe patients reclaim
their health by prescribing food as their medicine. Many of these patients have
suffered for years with chronic disease, yet in a matter of weeks their health and
vitality are restored through the power of food.
Enter the superfood broccoli. Despite broccoli’s reputation as being a bitter
tasting food most people avoid, after reading this article you may seriously
reconsider adding this food to your plate. Here is why. Fact: The National Cancer
Institute NCI has discovered two phytochemicals found in broccoli, sulforaphane
and indole-3-carbinol, or I3C that have potent anti-cancer properties. According
to the NCI, broccoli and all cruciferous vegetables including cabbage, kale,
Brussels sprouts and arugula can significantly reduce your risk of developing liver,
bladder, breast and prostate cancers. Broccoli’s benefits go far beyond cancer,
including dramatic protection against H. pylori (bacteria that triggers
inflammation in the stomach), diabetes, autism and heart disease.
But here is the tip of the day. The miraculous properties of sulforaphane
can only go to work if you don’t destroy the enzyme myrosinase found in this
amazing food. You can effectively protect this enzyme in two ways: 1.) Chop the
broccoli into pieces (eating it raw or chopping it into pieces before cooking).
Chopping automatically activates the enzyme myrosinase and releases the anticancer compound sulforaphane (this compound is not destroyed by heat). 2.)
Steaming the vegetable lightly. According to researchers from the University of
Illinois reporting in the Journal of Nutrition and Cancer, overcooking broccoli
significantly reduces its health benefits.
Take Home Message: Eat your broccoli.
Dr. Krystosik is a board-certified chiropractic physician with an undergraduate
degree in clinical nutrition and is northeast Ohio’s leading expert in functional
medicine. Dr. Krystosik is the author of 5 books on nutrition and natural medicine
and is a nationally known speaker. For an appointment with Dr. Krystosik in his
Northfield office, call 330-908-0094 or go to www.TheOtherSideofMedicine.com
