(NaturalHealth365)  If you need yet another reason to eat your veggies, here’s a good one.  A recent article explores the incredible health benefits that vegetables offer.  Sure, we all know they’re good for us, but this in-depth piece delves deep into exploring specific, powerful compounds responsible for the bulk of those health benefits.

They offer cancer-protective effects that prevent malignancies and attack them to stop or slow tumor growth via several overlapping mechanisms.  Discover how these natural compounds can help you prevent cancer and fight against chronic diseases.

Natural compounds in vegetables protect against cancer, slow or stop tumor growth

Vegetables are good for the body, providing essential nutrients and fiber necessary for good health and effective organ function.  These four compounds go a little deeper with health-promoting benefits for the heart, liver, brain, and immune system.  They can prevent many cancers, slow or stop tumor growth, and protect against age-related conditions.

By incorporating the foods that provide these compounds, it is possible to employ an effective cancer prevention strategy through diet.

Apigenin

Apigenin is a polyphenol found in celery, oregano, chamomile, parsley, artichokes, and spinach.  Science is now touting it as a substance that prevents and fights cancer.  It starves cancer cells and promotes their destruction.  It also is a powerful protectant for cellular DNA, shielding it from toxins in the environment which can be conducive to malignancies in the future.

Studies have found apigenin to be effective in fighting:

• Leukemia
• Breast cancer
• Liver cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Skin cancer
• Cancer of the larynx
• Pancreatic cancer

It also protects brain cells against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and promotes cardiometabolic health.

I3C

Indole-3-carbinol, or I3C, is a plant hormone found in cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables.  They work in concert with apigenin to combat age-related conditions and fight cancer.  It is also complementary to 3,3’-diindolylmethane (DIM), a condensation product of I3C molecules.

I3C & DIM

The phytonutrient DIM (found in cruciferous vegetables) and I3C work together by impacting the enzymes that metabolize testosterone and estrogen, giving this combination extra cancer-fighting power.  They also are effective in combating obesity by reducing not only body weight but also fat accumulation.  This, in turn, reduces the associated inflammation that increases obesity-associated health risks like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

BITC

Benzyl isothiocyanate, or BITC, naturally occurs in cruciferous vegetables.  BITC is a powerful antioxidant with strong anticancer properties.

In addition, BITC fights cancer by inhibiting cancer stem cells.  Hidden cancer stem cells are a common problem that causes malignancies that recur or do not respond to treatment so that cancer re-emerges after the patient completes treatment.

Prevent cancer by consuming vegetables with cancer-protective properties

While apigenin is available in supplement form, the best way to get these vital cancer-fighting nutrients is to consume both cruciferous and non-cruciferous vegetables every day.  It is best to get at least the recommended daily allowance, but you should aim for more to get the full benefits.

Naturally, we suggest you look for vegetables that are organic, non-GMO and, if possible, local – which cuts down on the time between the farm to your table.  By making these vegetables a part of your healthy diet, you can use food to prevent cancer and other health problems.

Sources for this article include:

LifeExtension.com
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
NIH.gov