Sulforaphane and Its Impressive Therapeutic Benefits
I am honored to share these words from a grateful survivor of an aggressive lymphoma whose protocol has included this powerful compound…
“I basically was told there’s no explanation why I’m still alive other than the divine will to live...but definitely your expertise and support have been number one, I wouldn’t be here without you Julie! Thank you for all your help! You are a radiant blessing light in my life! I cannot thank you enough!.”
Sulforaphane is an impressive therapeutic compound. Here, we discuss its many vital roles in holistic health as well as its powers in healing and preventing major illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular and degenerative brain diseases.
Broccoli is a source of sulforaphane
So, exactly what is sulforaphane? It is a powerful phytochemical found mainly in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, bok choy and red cabbage. While ingestion of sulforaphane in food is helpful (and I’ll always encourage it for a multitude of benefits), we will mostly be discussing concentrated delivery via supplements as it is hard to take in enough of these foods to reach therapeutic levels. As a supplement, sulforaphane's lipophilic nature and low molecular weight readily enable passive diffusion into cells. It is rapidly absorbed, peaking in blood plasma as early as 1 hour after ingestion. It is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuro-regenerative compound. As we all know by now, most major diseases have their roots in inflammation. If we want to prevent disease, we must look at the root causes of inflammation in a person’s body and address them with an understanding of biochemical individuality.
Therapeutic actions of sulforaphane
Let’s begin with a discussion on the Nrf2 pathway. Nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a critical transcription factor (protein that controls the transcribing of genetic information from DNA to RNA) that regulates the expression of over 1000 genes in the cell under normal and stressed conditions. Nrf2 coordinates the fundamental and stress-inducible activation of a vast array of cytoprotective genes. Regulation of Nrf2 activity and downstream pathways has major implications for human health.
Nrf2 activation can be achieved through exercise and ingestion of natural nutrients that are Nrf2 activators, including sulforaphane. (Others include grapes, cranberries, blueberries, lingonberries, jackfruit, curcumin, resveratrol, green tea, grapeseed, rosemary, peanuts and chocolate.)
Once activated, Nrf2 induces some of the following important functions in the body:
Toxic compounds in the body require several steps to be broken down into water soluble molecules for excretion via the intestines and kidneys. Phase II detoxification enzymes are induced by Nrf2. For safe and efficient detoxification, a toxin will ideally undergo a relatively slow Phase I reaction followed by a more rapid Phase II reaction. This tends to prevent accumulation of the Phase I metabolite which can be more toxic than its precursor. For an optimal cellular detoxification environment, Phase II reactions should be at a rate which prevents intermediate products of Phase I from accumulating. Sulforaphane acts as an Nrf2 inducer and Nrf2 then stimulates the production of the Phase II enzymes. Of clinical significance is that Phase II enzymes have a relatively long half-life, so that upregulated expression of these proteins can remain for several days, contributing to ideal detoxification.
Toxins, stressors, tissue damage and pathogens all create oxidative stress in the body. Nrf2 is a key player in the antioxidant defense, as it can transcribe antioxidant and cytoprotective genes, including glutathione stimulating hormone (GSH). Glutathione is a major self-producing antioxidant in the body, contributing to reduction of oxidative stress, methylation function and some immune system balances. At the same time Nrf2 is lifting glutathione, it is improving the quality of brain metabolites and cognitive function.
Nrf2 counteracts the NF-kappaB-driven inflammatory response. This response occurs in the presence of viral and bacterial infections in the body, as well as with tissue damage. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are released which elevate KF-kappaB. With Nrf2 activation (studied with sulforaphane), protection from infuenza as well as COVID has been observed.
Nrf2 has also been studied in the realm of degenerative brain diseases. Increasing lines of evidence point to exacerbated oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic neuroinflammation as common pathological mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration.
Cardiovascular health is another area researched in relationship to the Nrf2 pathway. This includes hypertension, atherosclerosis, I/R injury, diabetes, and diabetic complications.
Now let’s highlight several more conditions positively impacted by the use of sulforaphane.
Cancer protection. Sulforaphane has been studied to create cancer cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (cell death). It is shown to be effective against a variety of cancer cells and can even halt the growth of cancer in breast cancer stem cells. Sulforaphane has also been studied to be effective in preventing HPV-induced cervical cancer and H pylori-induced stomach cancer.
Support in healing H pylori infections. Research indicates that sulforaphane supports the healing of dangerous H pylori infections, along with reduction in symptoms.
Helps with obesity and weight management. With and without dieting and caloric restriction, sulforaphane helps people to maintain healthy weight and reduce fat formation.
Glucose management. In studies of type 2 diabetes subjects, concentrated sulforaphane supplementation resulted in improved glucose levels.
Skin health and reduced aging. Sulforaphane offers protection and reduced aging of the skin.
Improvement in autism spectrum disorders. Clinical trials in humans show that sulforaphane significantly improved social interaction and communication while reducing abnormal behaviors. Some of the families in these studies continued taking sulforaphane after the trials were completed, reporting additional improvements over a longer time period.
Remedies joint inflammation. In arthritic and inflammatory joint conditions, sulforaphane is a very effective treatment.
Supports the removal of glyphosate from the body. A potent cancer-causing chemical widely utilized in conventional farming, glyphosate interferes with the phases of detoxification and the expression of Nrf2. Sulforaphane supplementation helps to rid the body of glyphosate while supporting normal detoxification performance.
Julie Donaldson, True Nature Health Consulting
Summations and solutions
As always, it is important to look behind the curtain and understand if you are experiencing negative symptoms that need to be investigated. Immune, oxidative and detoxification stresses often require a multi-pronged approach to resolve.
I also recommend everyone to know their Metabolic Type® and build a lifestyle of personalized nutrition around it - this creates the foundation from which all healing can take place most effectively. Proper personalized nutrition results in the most efficient function of the Krebs cycle, the end result of which is ATP production - every cell in the body is drawing upon ATP to complete its functions.
If you are healthy and lucky enough to be without concerns, supplementing with sulforaphane for disease prevention is a wonderful holistic health approach. Contact me for information on the best product available, containing high amounts of the heavily studied and multi-patented ingredient Sulforaphane Glucosinolate found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts. It also has been specially formulated to preserve myrosinase, a key enzyme needed to convert sulforaphane glucosinolate into sulforaphane in the small intestine for enhanced phase II detoxification and NRF2 activation.
Email me at Julie@truenaturehealthconsulting.com for more information. We provide holistic telehealth services for people all across the world.