The Vegetable That Can Save Your Brain From Stroke

A recent survey found America’s favorite vegetable is, believe it or not, broccoli. If you’re one of the nation’s broccoli lovers, you can thank Southern Italian immigrants who introduced it to the U.S. in the early 1920s.

Broccoli’s health benefits are profound, and in a world-first study, Australian scientists discovered an essential compound within it that can save your brain from a stroke…

Key Takeaways

• Found in broccoli, sulforaphane has been shown to protect the brain from stroke-related damage and enhance the effectiveness of clot-busting drugs like tPA.
• Sulforaphane triples the success rate of stroke treatment with tPA, without increasing the risk of bleeding, a common complication in stroke therapies.
• In addition to broccoli, other cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, kale, and cauliflower also contain sulforaphane, making them beneficial for brain and heart health.

Prescription Broccoli?

Scientists are excited by the prospect of prescribing this natural broccoli compound for stroke victims within the next five years.

As an all-in-one antioxidant, detoxifier, inflammation fighter and cellular repairer, few vegetables can match broccoli and other members of the cruciferous family. That’s because these vegetables contain a magic ingredient called sulforaphane. Long known as a cancer fighter, sulforaphane also supports immunity, reduces the risk of heart disease and is a secret weapon against diabetes.

Can stroke be added to this already impressive list of benefits? Professor Giovanni Mann of King’s College London certainly thinks so.

Protects Against Brain Damage

Many studies have shown that this vegetable gives your brain powerful protection against free radicals Dr. Mann’s research adds to that wealth of science. He and his research team discovered the broccoli compound can protect small blood vessels in the brains of mice affected by stroke. In addition, when given before a stroke, it makes the blood-brain barrier less permeable, which is essential to stop harmful chemicals entering the brain.

They showed that it works by acting on a molecule called Nrf2. When Nrf2 is given the go-ahead by sulforaphane, it switches on enzymes that prevent stroke damage caused by impaired blood flow.

“A pill containing sulforaphane could be a highly successful therapeutic to reduce brain damage associated with stroke,” Dr. Mann said. “By giving the right dose, we could greatly protect patients. Pre-treatment could guard against the severity of stroke induced damage by raising the level of the protective enzymes."

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at The British Heart Foundation concurs, saying that “in the future we could see people taking a pill every day to prevent a stroke’s debilitating effects…”

Bleeding Complications

Around 87% of strokes occur because a clot forms to prevent blood flow to the brain. This is called an ischemic stroke as distinct from a hemorrhagic stroke which occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain ruptures.

Doctors use a drug called a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to dissolve the clot and restore blood flow. When given within several hours of the stroke, this can be a lifesaver.

The trouble is, the dissolved clot releases all sorts of unwanted chemicals. These set off the blood platelets, which get busy forming new clots, and before you know it, we’re back to square one. Although blood-thinning antiplatelet and anticoagulant meds are used together with the tPA to keep the blood flowing, they can cause bleeding in the brain and other areas of the body, which greatly limits their effectiveness and is dangerous in itself. If only there was a way to use the clot-busting tPA but not have bleeding complications.

And that’s where sulforaphane comes to the rescue.

Triples the effectiveness of tPA

The Heart Research Institute at the University of Sydney conducted a three-year investigation into sulforaphane's cellular and molecular effects.

From their exhaustive research, they discovered that sulforaphane cannot only reduce the formation of harmful blood clots that may lead to a stroke but also improves the performance of clot-busting drugs after a stroke.

“Unfortunately, [tPA] is only successful in 20% of cases. What we found in a preclinical trial is that the tPA success rate increases to 60% when the medication is given with the broccoli-derived compound. Excitingly, this naturally occurring compound does not cause any signs of bleeding, which is a common side effect associated with blood-thinning agents tested in stroke treatment.

This means we could see paramedics treating ischemic stroke patients with a broccoli-based medication as well as tPA on the way to hospital.” He added that sulforaphane could also be used to lower the risk of stroke in patients who are at high risk.

The research team now plans to conduct a human trial, and if all goes well, they’re hopeful this new treatment could become available in as little as five years.

In the meantime, if you’re not already doing so, it’s time to make broccoli a regular feature of your diet. If you’re not a fan, don’t despair; many other cruciferous vegetables also contain sulforaphane. These include Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula, Bok choy, collard and mustard greens, kale, kohlrabi, radish, rutabaga, turnip, and watercress. Sulforaphane supplements are also available.

Summary

Recent research shows that the compound sulforaphane, found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, protects the brain from stroke damage by reducing harmful blood clots and boosting the effectiveness of clot-busting drugs. With promising preclinical results, this natural remedy could become an essential stroke treatment. Consuming broccoli regularly or taking sulforaphane supplements can benefit overall health, especially for those at risk of stroke.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sulforaphane?

Sulforaphane is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can protect the brain from stroke damage.

How does sulforaphane help with stroke treatment?

Sulforaphane improves the success rate of clot-busting drugs like tPA by tripling their effectiveness while reducing complications like bleeding.

Which vegetables contain sulforaphane?

Sulforaphane is found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage.

Can sulforaphane prevent strokes?

Research suggests that sulforaphane may lower the risk of stroke and reduce damage if one occurs, making it potentially beneficial for stroke prevention and treatment.