Harry Spector

Reduction of x-radiation mortality by cabbage and broccoli.

Summary Exposure to 400 r of whole-body X-radiation resulted in 100% mortality in 10 to 15 days of young male guinea pigs fed a basal diet of bran and oats plus ascorbic acid. Supplementation with cabbage or broccoli for 2 weeks before irradiation and during 30 days after irradiation significantly reduced mortalty. Lyophilized cabbage retained ability to reduce radiation mortality. Pre-feeding of guinea pigs to time of radiation exposure, signficantly delayed onset of death and enabled some animals to survive test period. Post-irradiation supplementation with cabbage also yielded a lower total mortality. Feeding of cabbage both before and after radiation exposure produced greatest amount of protection.