Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aronow & Pollock Communications, Inc.
Elizabeth Mankin or Barbara King, (212) 941-1414

Unique and Flavorful BroccoSprouts Guaranteed to Contain 20 Times the Concentration of the Antioxidant as Found in Mature Broccoli

Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables and BroccoSprouts^® broccoli sprouts, may provide more health benefits than previously realized. Now, studies show that it may be even more versatile and effective than vitamins C and E in protecting cells from oxidative damage. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, who isolated the compound from broccoli in 1992, sulforaphane may play a key role in increasing the body's natural antioxidant defense systems and may function as a powerful indirect antioxidant with a longer lasting effect than other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.

Sulforaphane, in the form of its natural precursor - sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS™) - is found in foods such as kale, cabbage, broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Johns Hopkins University researchers found that young broccoli sprouts, in particular, contained levels of SGS that were between 20 and 50 times those found in adult cooked broccoli. These patented broccoli sprouts are now available to consumers as BroccoSprouts, and are the only sprouts certified to contain high levels of SGS.

"The evidence obtained from laboratory animals and cells, including human cells, is promising that SGS may help the body to disarm cancer-causing agents at an early stage," says Paul Talalay, M.D., professor of pharmacology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and leader of the research team that made the sulforaphane and broccoli sprout discoveries. "SGS may be able to do more than just prevent genetic damage that leads to malignancy. New studies being conducted around the world are pointing to sulforaphane as having additional effects on established malignancies than previously realized, including promoting the death of cancer cells. These studies have been conducted in cells and await confirmation in humans."

Indirect versus Direct Antioxidants

Direct antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, neutralize dangerous free radicals to which cells are exposed or that are generated by cells themselves before free radicals can harm cells. In this process, a direct antioxidant molecule binds to a free radical molecule, rendering it harmless and, thus, protecting cells from damage. Once the direct antioxidant reacts with a radical, the antioxidant is destroyed and cannot be used again.

The indirect antioxidant SGS works as a catalyst. It does not neutralize free radicals directly, but rather boosts the body's own elaborate antioxidant systems (including Phase 2 detoxification enzymes) that exert ongoing and prolonged antioxidant activity. This is a broad spectrum of activity, cycling over and over again, that removes many free radicals. It is like an "army" of antioxidants, ready to neutralize free radicals over a period of time, and continues to be effective even after the indirect antioxidant has left the body.

Sulforaphane: New Studies Attest to Its Protective Benefits

SGS research was pioneered by the Johns Hopkins University researchers who discovered high levels of sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts in 1997. Since then, scientists at reputable independent laboratories around the world have examined the compound and its effects on the development of various types of cancer. For example, recently, researchers at the American Health Foundation showed that sulforaphane reduced the incidence of an early marker for colon cancer in rats (Chemoprevention of Colonic Aberrant Crypt Foci in Fischer Rats by Major Isothiocyanates in Watercress and Broccoli, Chung, FL, et al, Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research, March 2000). This study used a well-recognized cancer protection model, which is a predictive model for human cancer protection. In another study (Sulforaphane, A Naturally Occurring Isothiocyanate, Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in HT29 Human Colon Cancer Cells, Gamet-Payrastre, L, et al, Cancer Research, March 2000), French researchers looked at whether sulforphane has direct effects on established cancer cells in addition to its well-known ability to block carcinogenesis. The study found that SGS indeed induced cell death in human colon carcinoma cells.

These studies further extend the research conducted in 1994 at Johns Hopkins University that tested the ability of sulforaphane to prevent cancer in animals. These studies showed that administration of sulforaphane blocked the formation of mammary tumors in rats treated with a potent carcinogen: the number of rats that developed tumors was reduced by as much as 60%, the number of tumors in each animal was reduced by 80%, and the size of the tumors that did develop was reduced by 75%. Furthermore, the tumors' appearance was delayed and they grew more slowly.

SGS-Rich BroccoSprouts

SGS is found in BroccoSprouts, a patented product containing a specific variety of broccoli sprouts identified by researchers at Johns Hopkins University as containing 20 times the concentration of SGS as mature, cooked broccoli. One ounce of BroccoSprouts has the same amount of SGS as 1 1/4 pounds (20 ounces) of mature, cooked broccoli.

It is believed that BroccoSprouts represent the first time a plant has been grown specifically to increase its antioxidant content. Studies show that all broccoli sprouts are not alike. Of more than 50 different varieties of broccoli seeds tested over the past five years, Johns Hopkins researchers found that only a few varieties produced sprouts that contained high concentrations of SGS. BroccoSprouts are unique in that they are the only sprouts grown from these specially identified and selected seeds. Additionally, BroccoSprouts are rigorously tested to certify that each batch contains high levels of this powerful antioxidant.

BroccoSprouts are low in fat. They contain only ten calories per serving and are a good source of vitamin C, providing 15% of the Daily Value (DV). BroccoSprouts are a zesty, flavorful food that can be mixed in salads or soups, added to sandwiches, vegetables and wraps, or sprinkled on crackers. They can be found in the produce section of supermarkets and specialty food stores nationwide.

Continued Research

More research still needs to be done to fully establish the link between SGS and a reduced risk of cancer. A percentage of the proceeds from BroccoSprouts sales are contributed to The Brassica Foundation for Chemoprotection Research to support further research into the link between nutrition and cancer.

BroccoSprouts are marketed by Brassica Protection Products LLC (BPP), located in Baltimore. BPP is the only entity with the rights to utilize Johns Hopkins' patent for SGS-rich broccoli sprouts. For more information on Brassica Protection Products and BroccoSprouts, call 1-877-747-1277 or visit www.broccosprouts.com or www.brassica.com.