Genetics and Health

Inactive GSTM1 and GSTT Genes? Eat Your Veggies

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on November 2nd, 2005

People with inactive variants of the GSTM1 and GSTT genes have a higher risk of lung cancer. The GSTM1 and GSTT genes normally produce isothiocyanates - phytochemicals that neutralize carcinogens. Eating a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables, however, appears to compensate for the lack of gene function.

• Patients with an inactive form of solely the GTSM1 gene reduced their lung cancer risk by 33 percent after implementing weekly consumption of cruciferous vegetables.
• Patients with an inactive GSTT gene were 37 percent less likely to develop lung cancer after increasing their vegetable intake.
• Subjects with both gene variants experienced the greatest reduction in risk at 72 percent.
• Individuals possessing neither genotype did not experience any significant reduction in lung cancer risk.

Common cruciferous vegetables include:

• broccoli
• cauliflower
• cabbage
• Brussels sprouts
• mustard greens
• collard greens
• kale
• turnip greens

So eat your veggies!

Thanks to Sciona’s Dr. Grimaldi who first told me about the Lancet study (subscription only).
myDNA.com, November 1, 2005

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POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease, Nutrigenomics