Jeffrey Bland, PhDPresident of Big Bold Health | Human Health Thought Leader

Why Healthy Mitochondria Matter

11 May 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:57

In this solo presentation, Jeffrey Bland, PhD emphasizes that cancer is not inevitable and that about 40% of cancers are linked to modifiable risk factors, with diet being a key factor. He explains that the immune system’s effectiveness depends on mitochondrial function within immune cells, which requires specific nutrients. Bland highlights two sprout-derived compounds—sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts and polyphenols from Himalayan tartary buckwheat sprouts—as mitochondrial enhancers that support immune health and cancer resistance. The core message is that dietary choices, particularly consuming these nutrient-rich sprouts, can meaningfully lower cancer risk.

Chapters

Cancer is not inevitable. The most recent evidence suggests that four out of ten cancers can be reduced in their risk by looking at modifiable risk factors, and one of those is the diet that we're eating. The diet does it contains those nutrients that activate our immune system. How is our immune system powered? It's powered through the mitochondria in our immune cells, the energy powerhouse. that requires specific kinds of nutrients in order to be at its active best. One of those nutrients, actually 2 of them, are found in sprouts. Yes, sulforaphane that comes from broccoli sprouts and polyphenols that come from things like Himalayan tartary buckwheat sprouts. Those have both been found to be mitochondrial enhancers for their mitochondrial function, which is a central feature of cancer resistance in a healthy immune system. Yes, what we eat can make a real difference.