Chemical extracts not cutting the mustard?
Using whole food powders and not just the chemical extract may boost the absorption of Isothiocyanates – the compounds in wasabi reputed to have anti-cancer properties.
The tissue of cruciferous vegetables, like wasabi, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, contain high levels of the active plant chemicals glucosinolates. These are metabolised by the body into Isothiocyanates, which are reported to be powerful anti-cancer agents. The main isothiocyanate from wasabi is 6MITC (6-methylsulphinylhexyl isothiocyanate), and is produced from glucohesperalin. This has been shown to be 40 times more potent than its nearest vegetable rival.
The potential health benefits of Wasabia japonica have led to a range of commercial supplements that contain glucosinolates on the market. Many of these supplements contain extracted glucosinolates but lack sufficient myrosinase, which is necessary to fully catalyse the production of Isothiocyanates from the Glucosinolates. The lack of myrosinase in the supplements would therefore “question their ability to provide sufficient dietary ITC to be useful. It’s a bit like going on a 400km car journey with only enough money to buy 300kms worth of petrol.”, said the Wasabi Maestro.
“I have maintained for decades now that it is the symbiotic relationship between all the various Glucosinolates and Isothiocyanates in the Wasabia japonica rhizome, that makes the wasabi plant such a powerful and useful anti-cancer vegetable. At long last, scientists are confirming that to be the case.” The Wasabi Maestro said when commenting on the study by Cramer and Jeffery.
The study indicates that the enzyme myrosinase must be present in sufficient quantities to fully utilise the amount of Glucosamine’s present in the commercial supplements.
The Sawa® Wasabia japonica rhizome powder contains all the naturally occurring Glucosinolates and myrosinase necessary to convert them into the beneficial Isothiocyanates that have shown anti-cancer and other health benefit properties.
This enhances the absorption and availability of 6MITC in humans, thereby opening the door to the development of natural products with significantly enhanced chemo-protective potential.
“Since 6MITC has been shown to stimulate the natural immune system and action of the liver with no known side effects, and is 40 times more powerful than its nearest vegetable analogue, there is the potential for the development of functional foods that improve the health impact of wasabi based products”, concluded the Wasabi Maestro.
Source: Nutrition and Cancer
“Sulforaphane Absorption and Excretion Following Ingestion of a Semi-Purified Broccoli Powder Rich in Glucoraphanin and Broccoli Sprouts in Healthy Men”
Authors: J.M. Cramer, E.H. Jeffery