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Nutrition & supplements

Sulforaphane

DESulforaphan

Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate generated when broccoli, broccoli sprouts, and other cruciferous vegetables are chewed or chopped. It activates the Nrf2 pathway, upregulating antioxidant and phase II detoxification enzymes. Human studies report effects on biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiometabolic risk, with promising but mixed signals in autism and cancer chemoprevention. Long-term clinical outcomes from sulforaphane supplementation are not yet established.

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Sources

  1. Fahey JW, Zhang Y, Talalay P. (1997). Broccoli sprouts: An exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens. *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA*doi:10.1073/pnas.94.19.10367
  2. Houghton CA. (2019). Sulforaphane: its 'coming of age' as a clinically relevant nutraceutical in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. *Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity*doi:10.1155/2019/2716870

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