by Dr. Mercola

Broccoli may help your immune system clean harmful bacteria from your lungs. Sulphoraphane, a compound found in the vegetable, is being looked at as a potential treatment for people with lung disease.

White blood cells called macrophages remove debris and bacteria that build up in your lungs. This cleaning system can be defective in smokers and people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

According to New Scientist:

“Now, researchers have figured out that a chemical pathway in the lungs called NRF2, involved in macrophage activation, is wiped out by smoking. They also found that sulphoraphane, a plant chemical that is made by broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables when damaged, such as when chewed, can restore this pathway.”

Sources:
New Scientist April 13, 2011

Copyright Dr. Joseph Mercola, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Read the full article here: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2011/04/20/broccoli-helps-clear-damaged-lungs.aspx