[Todd]

Many dogs are diagnosed with cancer every day. There are many research projects currently going on and many are showing that nutrients found in broccoli and cauliflower may help to fight and prevent cancer. Here is an example of a study that has been done recently;

Broccoli, Cauliflower And Genetic Cancer
ScienceDaily — Need another reason to eat vegetables? A new study at Rutgers shows that certain vegetables -- broccoli and cauliflower, in particular -- have natural ingredients that may reduce the risk of developing hereditary cancers.

A research team led by Rutgers' Ah-Ng Tony Kong has revealed that these widely consumed cruciferous vegetables -- so called because their four-petal flowers resemble crosses -- are abundant in sulforaphane (SFN). This compound had previously been shown to inhibit some cancers in rodents induced by carcinogens -- substances or agents external to the body. Kong's investigations, however, focused on whether SFN might inhibit the occurrence of hereditary cancers -- those arising from one's genetic makeup.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than two-thirds of cancer may be prevented through lifestyle modification, and nearly one-third of these cancer occurrences can be attributed to diet alone.

"Our research has substantiated the connection between diet and cancer prevention, and it is now clear that the expression of cancer-related genes can be influenced by chemopreventive compounds in the things we eat," said Kong, a professor of pharmaceutics in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Chemopreventive properties are those that prevent, stop or reverse the development of cancer. In a study published online in the journal Carcinogenesis, Kong and his colleagues used a mouse model for human colon cancer to demonstrate the chemopreventive power of SFN and explain how it works to thwart cancer at the biomolecular level.

The researchers employed a specially bred strain of mice (labeled Apc/Min/+) that carry a mutation that switches off a gene (Apc) that suppresses tumors. This is the same gene known to be directly implicated in the development of most colon cancers in humans. When the gene is inactivated in the mice, polyps, which lead to tumors, appear spontaneously in the small intestine. Experiments using these mice can help in designing human clinical trials that can lead to new treatments for colon cancer in humans.

Two groups of mice were fed diets supplemented with SFN for three weeks, one group receiving 300 parts per million (ppm) of SFN and the other getting 600 ppm. "Our results clearly demonstrated that those mice fed with an SFN-supplemented diet developed significantly fewer and smaller tumors," Kong said.

After the three weeks, the average number of polyps in the small intestine in each mouse decreased more than 25 percent in those on the 300 ppm diet and 47 percent in the 600 ppm treatment group, as compared to control animals who had received no SFN.

"Our results showed that SFN produced its cancer preventive effects in the mice by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) and inhibiting proliferation of the tumors; however, it was not clear what mechanism SFN employs to accomplish this," Kong said.

Using biomarkers (indicator molecules) associated with apoptosis and proliferation, Kong's team found that SFN suppressed certain enzymes or kinases that are highly expressed both in the mice and in patients with colon cancer. The researchers concluded that this enzymatic suppression activity is the likely basis for the chemopreventive effects of SFN.

"Our study corroborates the notion that SFN has chemopreventive activity. Based on these findings, we feel SFN should be evaluated clinically for its chemopreventive potential in human patients with Apc related colon cancers," Kong said.

*remember, dogs are carvivores but even carnivores may consume a small amount of veggies in the stomach's of their prey if it's a small animal. Be sure to puree or blanch the veggies before giving them to your dog in his or her food so the cells can be broken in order for your dog to be able to fully digest them. Dogs need these cells pre-crushed like they would be in their small prey's stomach because carnivores lack molers and are unable to crush the cells like us omnivores are and other herbivores.

There are rumors that broccoli can be toxic to dogs. This is somewhat true but is only dangerous in large amounts. Here's a quote from an online source;

BROCCOLI: There has been a bit of confusion where broccoli is concerned. Broccoli is very good for dogs, however, if the daily intake exceeds more than 10% of the animals diet – problems can occur. The toxic substance is isothiocyanate and can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
NOTE: Broccoli toxicity was first noted in dairy cattle raised in California. When there was an over abundant broccoli crop, it was fed to the cattle. Problems may have occurred because cattle have rumens and digest things much more thoroughly, therefore taking in more of the toxic substance.

Not only can these foods help our dogs prevent and fight cancer but the same goes for us humans and all other mammals!

[Lara's mom]

My brood love broccoli spears, either raw as a treat or cooked into their food. None of them will eat the top part though and, cauliflower; forget it. They won't touch it either raw or cooked unless I chop it up into tiny pieces and smother it with cheese sauce.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

My brood love broccoli spears, either raw as a treat or cooked into their food. None of them will eat the top part though and, cauliflower; forget it. They won't touch it either raw or cooked unless I chop it up into tiny pieces and smother it with cheese sauce.

mmmmm. I'll bet Lucky would love some in cheese sause, so long as she doesn't lick off the cheese and leave the broccoli lol...

[Lara's mom]

The trick is to chop the cauliflower into tiny little bits. As they lick up the cheese sauce, the veggies get licked up along with it.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

The trick is to chop the cauliflower into tiny little bits. As they lick up the cheese sauce, the veggies get licked up along with it.

Oh, good point. I'll give it a shot later today for a snack or something for her. Thanks for the tip!