Broccoli osteoarthritis

Broccoli osteoarthritis is the wonder food that does much more than protect against joint wear and tear; metastatic disease too, for example.

Are you a meat and potatoes man? Are you still on the black and white diet? It is not just your heart that is going to take strain. Joint pain is probably on the way too; colour is in and not only for television. 

Scientists at the University of East Anglia are investigating the benefits of broccoli in the fight against arthritis; British women are finding themselves disabled for more than a third of their lives.

This page was last updated by Bernard Preston on 9th February, 2025.

Sulforaphane in broccoli

The researchers have found that a compound in broccoli called sulforaphane blocks the enzymes that cause joint destruction; and trigger the inflammation and pain of arthritis.

These toxic chemicals are released in a process called immobilisation arthritis; it is what happens when a joint becomes fixated after injury.

It is a supremely important phytochemical; sulforaphane for diabetics has universal appeal, particularly in the USA and South Africa where the disease is rampant due to chronic high refined carbohydrate consumption.

Broccoli has previously been associated with reduced risk of tumours but this is the first major study into its effects on joint degeneration.

Broccoli fits neatly in with our nutritious, slow foods that can be cooked fast philosophy. The florets can be steamed in just a few minutes and the raw flowers are lovely on a salad.

The project will explore how sulforaphane may act to slow or prevent the development of osteoarthritis, preparing the way for the first patient trials and could lead to safe new ways of dealing with this painful disease.

Of course drug and supplement companies will want you to start buying their products but planting broccoli is so easy. I put in 25 seedlings yesterday in under two hours; tilling the ground and adding the compost took the longest.

It is true that organic vegetables, free of chemicals, are not to be readily bought. Two dollars of broccoli seed will keep us in sulforaphane for months.

Sulforaphane is found in the cabbage family

Sulforaphane is a bioactive compound found in the cabbage family of vegetables, particularly broccoli. Eating brassicas leads to a high level in the blood but scientists don't yet know for sure if it is the active ingredient; or how it targets and prevents degeneration of the cartilage in fixated and overloaded joints.

What are the early symptoms of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability, affecting six million people in the United Kingdom. It is a degenerative disease which gradually destroys the hyaline cartilage lining the joints, particularly the feet, hips and knees; the fingers and spine too.

Broccoli osteoarthritis is part of the solution; it's a rich source of omega-3 fat too.

What is currently known is that people who exercise have less arthritis, as do those who eat fatty fish. Movement of the joints and omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on hyaline cartilage.

Hyaline cartilage

Hyaline cartilage is the hard, white lining of your bones; it enables joints to move freely. It's shiny when seen in daylight and super smooth.

But when damaged by injury, obesity or a poor diet it becomes pitted and eventually is eroded right down to the bone. The result is pain, stiffness and worse increasing disability.

Subluxated joints too become arthritic. Just ask your DC.

Part of the solution is broccoli arthritis but in general a return to the diet that you great-grandmother once served; you'll find it included a multitude of coloured foods.

Chicken bones broth

Chicken bones broth is so easy to make; store the leftovers of the carcass in the freezer and then boil them when you have enough. Better still pressure-cook the remains for the perfect soup and better health for your joints.

This bouillon plus broccoli gives you the excellent protection against osteoarthritis.

Research from Harvard found that a chicken bone soup is more effective than drugs in resistant cases of the inflammatory forms of arthritis.

Prof Ian Clark of the school of biological sciences, who is leading the research said that we have an aging population; coming up with new strategies for preventing diseases such as osteoarthritis is important. However it's not only the elderly who are suffering; young women in particular, especially if they are only eating typical grocery store food are also at risk.

This is in part to improve the quality of life for sufferers but also to reduce the economic burden of arthritis on society.

They are also studying the effects of eating garlic which appears to slow the aging of hyaline cartilage. They think that a substance called "diallyl-disulphide" which is found in large amounts in garlic is the active ingredient.

The coloured and pungent foods have vital roles, as in broccoli osteoarthritis; think of chilies too.

Broccoli Facts

Drug companies will be excited about these findings about broccoli osteoarthritis. Quite soon we will be seeing sulforaphane and "diallyl disulphide" on the shelves of pharmacists for the treatment of our creaking joints; already you can purchase lutein and zeaxanthin for the prevention of macular degeneration.

• Benefits of lutein
• Zeaxanthin prevention against macular degeneration
  

Alternatively you could eat more broccoli and garlic. That would taste a good deal better and you can be sure they will be 1 percent of the price of the supplements.

Start now, do not wait for that osteoarthritis to form. Prevention is after all better than a cure.

• Broccoli facts
  

Broccoli and cancer

The broccoli facts have been highly researched for their anti-tumour properties, including the aggressive prostate disease by a compound called glucoraphanin; it is the precursor of sulforaphane.

In any case broccoli is rich in many phytosterols too; their anti-tumour properties are well researched.

Broccoli is one of Bernard Preston's favourite vegetables both in the garden and on the table; particularly the branching varieties.  You can go on using the fronds for many weeks after the main head has been reaped.

They can be used for making perfect broccoli soups. Just add your favourite herbs and spices; or just a simple onion, potato and celery mix. It is healthy, so easy and delicious. You can even blend in an avocado; the healthy fats increase the absorption of all these nutrients.

• Broccoli Facts home page including a broccoli soup recipe.
  
• What are phytosterols?
  
• What's potting in the garden
  

Safe, KNOWN ways of preventing and treating this painful disease.

1. Watch your weight. The obese invariably get osteoarthritis of knees, feet and hips. Are you at risk? See the BMI calculator below.
   
2. The omega 3 in fatty fish, freshly ground flax seed and walnuts; overwhelming evidence.
   
3. Chicken bones bouillon; use it to make a delicious soup.
   
4. Gentle exercise, especially non-weightbearing swimming and cycling. Read more at exercise class benefits arthritis.
   
5. Manipulation and mobilisation of fixated joints. It's now clearly proven what DCs have always advocated; subluxated joints become arthritic.
   

The mechanism is called Immobilisation Arthritis by physiologists.

Use a full stop, not a comma in your height and weight.

Supplied by BMI Calculator South Africa

Homocysteine and Broccoli

Broccoli osteoarthritis reveals interesting new research including preventing a build up of toxic homocysteine.

Homocysteine is a toxic breakdown product of protein metabolism, that causes general inflammation in the body, especially in the joints and blood vessels.  Normally it is immediately converted to non-toxic substances, but this process is utterly dependent on a rich supply of folic acid (B9) and vitamin B12 in the body.

At that Broccoli Facts page you'll discover that broccoli is particularly rich in folate. Eggs are good source of B12.

• Homocysteine cardiovascular ....
• Chicken broccoli recipe ... use the site search function key.
  

And now Spinach too

Scientists have now discovered that magnesium depletion in the body is also associated with a condition called ChondroCalcinosis, one cause of chronic arthritis. In fact, 1/10 people aged 60 have it. And spinach is THE richest source of the mineral. Popeye food makes us big and strong; healthy too.

Magnesium is depleted by many of the drugs commonly in use including some blood pressure medications and the anti-contraceptive pill for example.

Spinach should be regularly on the table; as a salad with your other favourite fruits like avo and apple, or as a soup.

• Fresh spinach recipes apples avocado ...
  
• Spinach soup and other fresh spinach salad recipes ...
  

Broccoli osteoarthritis

Broccoli osteoarthritis reveals interesting new research; the queen of tumour prevention goes far beyond our formerly understood horizons.

There is so much you can do for yourself. The first step is understanding what kind of arthritis you have. The second is to start eating the known anti-inflammatory foods. The third is to begin exercising every day. Couch potatoes suffer far more pain and disability. The hyaline cartilage that lines the joints is much thicker and smoother in those who walk, swim or cycle daily. Just ask your DC.

The last is to fervently decide you are not going to give into these nasty diseases; the best person to take care of your body is you.

Macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is the most common age-related cause of blindness; in large measure it is due to a deficiency of two phytochemicals called lutein and zeaxanthin; broccoli, kale and fava beans are the richest sources. In general, make sure you are enjoying your greens every day.

Dopamine also makes a contribution; it's another of the fava bean nutritional benefits.

There are thousands of these phytochemicals; only a handful have been fully researched. By enjoying a broad diet from many food groups you get protection not just from lutein macular degeneration but also broccoli osteoarthritis and a host of other diseases, mostly unknown and unproven. 

We can set your stiff and fixated bones back in motion, restoring the normal movement of the synovial fluid in your joints; but unless it is carrying the right nutrients and oxygen, the cartilage still won't heal.

Broccoli osteoarthritis is part of the solution, as is more omega-3 from other sources such as walnuts and fatty fish. The blood of smokers carries about 15% less oxygen which is why they have more backache and is the chief reason why both chiropractic and surgery fail more often.

There are many phytochemicals in broccoli and it is often difficult to precisely determine which of them is the first violin in the symphony orchestra. Kaempferol is often given the credit for tumour prevention.

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