< Back to index Of Cabbages and Cancer by Judith Paley, MD The reasons to substitute coleslaw for french fries continue to pile up. A recent small study suggests that cabbage should someday be the side dish of choice for women with abnormal pap smears. This investigation found that a derivative of cabbage may reverse cervical dysplasia, a precancerous condition sometimes found on routine pap screening. Half of the women with dysplastic smears who were given supplements of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables, had significant improvement in their follow-up tests - some completely reverting to normal! The dose of I3C was equivalent to 1/3 of a head of cabbage daily.13C changes the way the body metabolizes estrogen. Instead of producing a biologically active metabolite that causes cell proliferation just like estrogen, the altered process produces a much weaker molecule. For this reason, I3C is used by weight-lifters to block the feminizing side effects of muscle-building steroids caused by the breakdown of these testosterone-like compounds to estrogenic ones in the body. Exciting research indicates that this change in estrogen metabolism may be useful in breast cancer prevention. These studies have shown that women with breast cancer have higher levels of the more active metabolite than do women with no cancer. The cabbage-free oxidation pathway is linked to tumor growth because the more active estrogenic by-product causes cancer cells to proliferate. A recent study of 48,000 men found that those who ate five or more servings a week of cabbage or broccoli were less than half as likely to develop bladder cancer compared with those who could only face the vegetables once a week. By the way, this study also showed that high fluid intake (eight 8 oz. glasses of water daily) was also a potent way to prevent bladder cancer. 3C is relatively expensive, costing around $20 per month at the recommended dose of 400 mg. daily. Cabbage is readily available and cheap, of course, but causes major intestinal gas in some people. In addition, compounds in cabbage called thiocyanates can cause a goiter - an inactive, enlarged thyroid. The proportional amount of indole-3-carbinol not only provides as much cancer protection, it may be easier and safer to take. Dr. Paley is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a board-certified internist. For 16 years she has had an adult primary care practice in central Denver, specializing in women's health and preventative medicine for women and men. She welcomes questions or comments by e-mail to JAPaley@aol.com. < Back to index News I Health I Wellness I Exercise I Profiles I Business I Links I Women ROCK! Product Review I To the Point I Contact I Home Created by: Art Street Design Studio. © Concerning Women Communications, Inc. all rights reserved.