Sprouts also contain an abundance of highly active antioxidants that prevent DNA destruction and protect us from the ongoing effects of aging. It would be conceivable to find a fountain of youth here. After all, sprouts represent the miracle of birth.

Here are some examples of what researchers are discovering:

Mung Bean Sprouts Identified as Potent Anti-tumor Agent

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) inhibits ErbB3 signaling in prostate cancer cells, Biofactors. 2006;28(3-4):159-68., Jung JI, et. Al.

ISL inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, at least in part, via the inhibition of ErbB3 signaling and the PI3K/Akt pathway

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Alfalfa Sprouts High in  Cholesterol Lowering Agent

Alfalfa sprouts are one of our finest food sources of another compound, saponins. Saponins lower the bad cholesterol and fat but not the good HDL fats. Animal studies prove their benefit in arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Saponins also stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells such as T-lymphocytes and interferon. The saponin content of alfalfa sprouts multiplies 450% over that of the unsprouted seed.

Dr. McKay was talking about soybean sprouts. He and a team of nutritionists had spent years researching the amazing properties of sprouted soybeans. They and other researchers at the universities of Pennsylvania and Minnesota, Yale and McGill have found that sprouts retain the B-complex vitamins present in the original seed, and show a big jump in Vitamin A and an almost unbelievable amount of Vitamin C over that present in unsprouted seeds. While some nutritionists point out that this high vitamin content is gained at the expense of some protein loss, the figures are impressive: an average 300 percent increase in Vitamin A and a 500 to 600 percent increase in Vitamin C. As a result, one-half cup of almost any sprouted seed provides as much Vitamin C as six glasses of orange juice. In addition, in the sprouting process starches are converted to simple sugars, thus making sprouts easily digested.

Clover Sprouts High in Phytoestrogens

You can see in the chart to the right that research has discovered clover sprouts are almost as high as Soy sprouts in phytoestrogens. And clover sprouts are tasty and easy to eat in a sandwich in place of lettuce.

Phytoestrogens increase bone formation and density and prevent bone breakdown or osteoporosis. They are also helpful in controlling hot flashes, menopausal, and PMS symptoms and fibrocystic breast tumors.

Phytoestrogens actually reduce the risk of breast cancer. See the research to the right:

The cruciferous sprouts: Broccoli, Radish, Cabbage, Cauliflower... Cancer Fighters

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables contain substances that morph into isothio-cyanates, which research suggests may fight cancer. To investigate further, study author Dr. Steven Schwartz and his colleagues at Ohio State University in Columbus, added isothiocyanates from broccoli sprouts to different lines of bladder cancer cells. As a result, they "saw a decrease in the growth of the cells," Schwartz noted, particularly in one cell line that is known to spread quickly throughout the body.

Schwartz noted that broccoli sprouts appear to carry a higher concentration of isothiocyanates than full-grown broccoli, which suggests sprouts may be even better for the body

Broccoli sprouts are rich in one class of cancer protecting agents. This family of compounds or agents induce the activity of a particular class of enzymes called phase 2 enzymes. These are enzymes that assist in getting rid of or detoxifying many cancer causing chemicals in the body and increase the level of a particularly important metabolite called glutathione. As a consequence cells in the body are protected against various harmful events such as carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and other forms of toxicity and oxidative damage.

Broccoli Sprouts Help Prevent Cancer, Reuters Health, By Alison McCook

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There is strong evidence that just two or three tablespoons of broccoli sprouts a day can help prevent breast cancer, gastric cancer, and other diseases.         Dole Nutrition News Story

Xiangqun Gao, molecular scientist, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the USA

Wheatgrass Healing Tips

http://www.drwheatgrass.com/

Wheatgrass is a powerful hemostatic agent i.e. it helps stop bleeding in open wounds, deep-seated bleeding in muscles and in the nasal passages

Back in the 1930's and 40's, substantial research into the cereal grasses, including wheatgrass, showed dramatic improvement in the cleansing and healing of infected wounds and skin ulcers.

Chronic acne causing marked disfigurement for 10 years with no response to numerous and various medical treatments; after only six weeks' treatment with topical wheatgrass showed significant improvement in appearance.

Clinical observation showed several patients with plantar fasciitis responded quite rapidly (sometimes in a day or two) to treatment using the wheatgrass-based topical application

Sprouted Pea Shoots sold in 6oz, 2oz, Jonathan's, and 4oz Trader Joe's packs.