Cruciferous Foods and Cancer

From Inside Cancer Wiki

Lesson Overview

There are research projects that indicate that cruciferous vegetables are helpful in the prevention of cancer. This lesson explores some of the most recent findings in this area.

Goals and Objectives

Students will...

1. Explain what is a cruciferous vegetable.

2. Indicate what types of cancer might be prevented with a diet high in cruciferous vegetables.

3. Describe examples for the molecular mode of action for the compounds identified in these foods.

Assumptions of Prior Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of:

1. Food connection and cancer

2. Cultural patterns that might affect diet.

3. Some foods inhibit enzyme action

4. Mechanism for broccoli and connection to prostrate cancer.

The Lesson

Preparation Before class: (materials, handouts etc.) Describe any pre-class preparation necessary for the lesson. 1. Photocopy the handouts for students.

For Students Before Class

1. Have students complete the handout that highlights components in cruciferous vegetables that have been linked to lower cancer risk.

a. Glucosinolates

b. crambene

c. indole-3-carbinol and

d. isothiocyanates (which are derivatives of glucosinolates)

2. Provide students with an example of a research study and questions to answer that has shown that cruciferous vegetables help regulate a complex system of bodily enzymes that prevent cancer.

Describe the activity.

1. Ask students to go to www.insidecancer.org.

2. Provide students with information of how to find diagnosis and treatment section of this site and how to navigate to the diet section.

3. Give presentation from website. Inside Cancer Presentation

4. Clickers or other tool… – Which of the following are cruciferous vegetables. Show cruciferous food examples.

5. Discussion of handouts (research study)prepared by students prior to lesson.

6. Find another example of a research study that addresses the importance and benefits of cruciferous vegetables to decrease cancer risk.