Cancer predisposition - is it in your genes?

Research results published in The Lancet http://www.thelancet.com/ show an interaction of genes and the protective effects of eating cruciferous vegetables. This is based on a study of inhabitants of central and eastern Europe, a region which has traditionally had a high rate of cruciferous vegetable consumption.

Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and brussel sprouts contain potent anti-cancer compounds known as isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates are thought to be eliminated by glutathione-S-transferase enzymes, which are produced by GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes. Individuals who have the inactive form of either or both genes, result in no enzyme being produced, and should therefore have higher isothiocyanate concentrations because of their reduced elimination capacity. Since the isothiocynates concentrations are higher, this might result in a greater anti-cancer effect.

According the Lancet article, researchers found that people with an inactive GSTM1 gene were 33 percent less likely to get lung cancer if they ate cruciferous vegetables weekly. In people with an inactive GSTT1 gene, there was a 37 percent protective effect and when both genes together were inactive the increase was a 72 percent effect.

They found no protective effect in people with active forms of both genes.

However, there are been many other published articles about the anti-cancer effects of eating all vegetables, including cruciferous vegetables, so they should definitely be part of an anti-cancer diet.