Broccoli combats radiation sickness

A compound in broccoli has been found to be effective in preventing death following radiation exposure in rats. According to LiveScience, the compound 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables shows “promise as a cancer-preventive agent, possibly because it boosts DNA repair.”

To determine the possible benefit of DIM in animals exposed to radiation, investigators “exposed 40 rats to a dose of gamma-ray radiation that would normally be deadly.” All the rats not given DIM following radiation exposure died while 60% of the rats given the broccoli compound were alive 30 days later. LiveScience observes: 

"If follow-up studies show the treatment works in humans, the compound could be given to people before or right after nuclear exposure to mitigate acute radiation sickness.”

Reducing the risk of endometrial cancer

A recent report by the World Cancer Research Fund titled FOOD, NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ENDOMETRIAL CANCER 2013 provides additional support for a Paleo approach to nutrition and fitness:

The evidence that greater body fatness (reflected by BMI, measures of abdominal girth and adult weight gain) is a cause of endometrial cancer is convincing. Glycaemic load is probably a cause of endometrial cancer, and physical activity and coffee both probably protect against this cancer.

Evidence for non-starchy vegetables and red meat was no longer suggestive of an association and was too limited to draw a conclusion.