How cabbage and cauliflower combat lupus

Q: I was diagnosed with lupus several months ago and was wondering if you have any information on natural therapies for it.

JVW: You might want to talk to your doctor about testing your estrogen quotient (EQ) and your 2/16 ratio to see if your levels need a boost.

In a study published in the November 2003 issue of the Journal of Nutrition, researchers examined mice genetically altered to develop lupus, giving them diets with or without indole-3-carbinol, which helps boost 2/16 ratios.

All of the mice developed abnormal blood tests characteristic of lupus, but the abnormalities found in the I-3-C mice were substantially lower. And the kidney damage characteristic of lupus was also substantially less in the I-3-C supplemented mice.

When I find an abnormal 2/16 ratio in one of my patients, I recommend that he or she include more Brassica vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy (to name a few), into their diet. These foods are high in I-3-C and are well known to boost 2/16 ratios.

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