
Activation of transcription factor Nrf2 induces increased output of specialized enzymes, an output that can extend antioxidant activity 72 hours or more. This is a significantly longer activity phase than direct antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, are able to promote.[2,6,9-11] Adequate antioxidant protection is crucial to maintaining the health and function of cells, tissues, and organs. Because they assist in maintaining health throughout adult life, phytonutrients, such as glucoraphanin and SFN, are considered “lifespan essentials.”[12]
Support for Cellular Health and Cell-Life Cycles Glucoraphanin and SFN are believed to play an important role in maintaining healthy gastrointestinal flora; healthy cellular life cycles; immune, eye, and cardiovascular health; and a normal response to inflammation. Sulforaphane’s induction of phase II enzymes, coupled with an inhibitory effect on certain phase I enzymes, is considered to have a protective effect on cells. Research suggests that SFN plays a multidimensional role in maintaining normal cellular life cycles, inhibiting tubulin polymerization, activating checkpoint 2 kinase, and inhibiting histone deacetylase activity.[2,13,14] These actions assist in gene regulation, normal cell growth, and cytokine balance.*
Research suggests that sulforaphane’s effect on Nrf2 pathways, macrophage activation, and NF-kappa B may support a normal, healthy response to inflammation and promote cardiovascular and eye health.[2,15-18] Sulforaphane is also studied for its role in maintaining immune health and a healthy gastrointestinal microflora.*[19,20]
Directions
Take 1 capsule daily
References
- Zhang Y, Talalay P, Cho CG, et al. A major inducer of anticarcinogenic protective enzymes from broccoli: isolation and elucidation of structure. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA. 1992 Mar 15;89(6):2399-403. [PMID: 1549603]
- Cheung KL, Kong AN. Molecular targets of dietary phenethyl isothiocyanate and sulforaphane for cancer chemoprevention. AAPS J. 2010 Mar;12(1):87-97. [PMID: 20013083]
- Sulforophane glucosinolate. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2010 Dec;15(4):352-60. Review. [PMID: 21194251]
- Boddupalli S, Mein JR, Lakkanna S, et al. Induction of phase 2 antioxidant enzymes by broccoli sulforaphane: perspectives in maintaining the antioxidant activity of vitamins a, C, and e. Front Genet. 2012;3:7. Epub 2012 Jan 24. [PMID: 22303412]
- Brassica®. http://www.brassica.com. Accessed May 5, 2012.
- Fahey JW, Zhang Y, Talalay P. Broccoli sprouts: an exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1997 Sep 16;94(19):10367-72. [PMID: 9294217]
- West LG, Meyer KA, Balch BA, et al. Glucoraphanin and 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin contents in seeds of 59 cultivars of broccoli, raab, kohlrabi, radish, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Feb 25;52(4):916-26. [PMID: 14969551]
- Riedl MA, Saxon A, Diaz-Sanchez D. Oral sulforaphane increases Phase II antioxidant enzymes in the human upper airway. Clin Immunol. 2009 Mar;130(3):244-51. [PMID: 19028145]
- Shapiro TA, Fahey JW, Wade KL, et al. Chemoprotective glucosinolates and isothiocyanates of broccoli sprouts: metabolism and excretion in humans. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2001 May;10(5):501-8. [PMID: 11352861]
- Nestle M. Broccoli sprouts as inducers of carcinogen-detoxifying enzyme systems: clinical, dietary, and policy implications. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1997 Oct 14;94(21):11149-51. [PMID: 9326574]
- Wagner AE, Ernst I, Iori R, et al. Sulforaphane but not ascorbigen, indole-3-carbinole and ascorbic acid activates the transcription factor Nrf2 and induces phase-2 and antioxidant enzymes in human keratinocytes in culture. Exp Dermatol. 2010 Feb;19(2):137-44. [PMID: 19558496]
- Holst B, Williamson G. Nutrients and phytochemicals: from bioavailability to bioefficacy beyond antioxidants. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2008 Apr;19(2):73-82. [PMID: 18406129]
- Myzak MC, Dashwood RH. Chemoprotection by sulforaphane: keep one eye beyond Keap1. Cancer Lett. 2006 Feb 28;233(2):208-18. Review. [PMID: 16520150]
- Ho E, Clarke JD, Dashwood RH. Dietary sulforaphane, a histone deacetylase inhibitor for cancer prevention. J Nutr. 2009 Dec;139(12):2393-6. [PMID: 19812222]
- Zakkar M, et al. Activation of Nrf2 in endothelial cells protects arteries from exhibiting a proinflammatory state. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2009 Nov;29(11):1851-7. [PMID: 19729611]
- Wu L, Noyan-Ashraf MH, Facci M, et al. Dietary approach to attenuate oxidative stress, hypertension, and inflammation in the cardiovascular system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 May 4;101(18):7094-9. [PMID: 15103025]
- Noyan-Ashraf MH, Sadeghinejad Z, Juurlink BH. Dietary approach to decrease aging-related CNS inflammation. Nutr Neurosci. 2005 Apr;8(2):101-10. [PMID: 16053242]
- Gao X, Talalay P. Induction of phase 2 genes by sulforaphane protects retinal pigment epithelial cells against photooxidative damage. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2004 Jul 13;101(28):10446- 51. [PMID: 15229324]
- Yanaka A, Fahey JW, Fukumoto A, et al. Dietary sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts reduce colonization and attenuate gastritis in Helicobacter pylori-infected mice and humans. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2009 Apr;2(4):353-60. [PMID: 19349290]
- Kim HJ, Barajas B, Wang M, et al. Nrf2 activation by sulforaphane restores the age-related decrease of T(H)1 immunity: role of dendritic cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 May;121(5):1255-1261. [PMID: 18325578]