Broccoli As Sunscreen? Ya Gotta Be Kidding!

I was watching Fox News out of Phoenix this morning and saw a segment about the use of broccoli as sunscreen.  I am not talking about consumption of broccoli.  I am saying that you rub broccoli on your skin, to protect you from the harmful rays of the sun.  Those that are the cause of skin cancer.  My first thought was that this has to be a joke.  It isn't April 1, so why is this happening.  I watch the segment all the way through and they went along, they mentioned University Of Arizona Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins University.  Now this is sounding sort of real.  I am a big doubter so I got on line to research just a bit.  Here's what I found.

Researchers say that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli and other green vegetables, may help reduce your risk of skin cancer and protect your skin from sunburn and the harmful effects of UV rays. 

Dr. Sally Dickinson, a research assistant professor in the Pharmacology Department of the University of Arizona Cancer Center said that the compound found in broccoli has so many incredible theoretical applications if the dosage is measured properly.  It can be very effective in blocking sunburns and they have seen cases where it can induce protective enzymes in the skin.  Dickinson found that sulforaphane can inhibit cancer-causing pathways like the AP-1 protein as well as activate chemoprotective genes.

 Dickinson has teamed up with researchers from Johns Hopkins University for a pilot study to see if a broccoli-based ointment effectively protects skin exposed to artificial sunlight.

Who would think that broccoli could be the next be big preventive of skin cancer.  This is such an amazing story!

Dr. Dickinson said: 'We're searching for better methods to prevent skin cancer in formats that are affordable and manageable for public use.'