Sulforaphane

Other Names: Glucosinolate de Sulforaphane, SFN, Sulforafane, Sulforaphane Glucosinolate, Sulforofano, Sulphoraphane, 1-isothiocayanate-4-methyl-sulfonyl butane.
Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate formed during food preparation, chewing, and digestion, of glucosinolates in Cruciferous Vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. A review in the October 2008 issue of "Cancer Letters" notes that several studies have demonstrated that eating cruciferous vegetables lowers the risk of developing certain cancers, particularly colon and prostate cancer. The anticancer activity of sulforaphane has been linked to its inhibitory action on a group of liver enzymes that metabolize molecules such as nitrosamines into active carcinogens. Additionally, sulforaphane is reported to reduce oxidative stress.

Special Precautions of Sulforaphane

• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Sulforaphane

The benefits of Sulforaphane are

• Stomach Infection : Helicobactor pylori is a bacteria that infects the stomach lining causing chronic inflammation. Most people that have a H. pylori infection do not exhibit symptoms, but some will develop painful ulcers. Results of a Japanese study the April 2009 issue of "Cancer Prevention Research" reports that consuming 70 g of broccoli sprouts per day for two months reduced H. pylori infection in humans. The actions of sulforaphane on H. pylori infection are attributed to its antioxidant activity, which prevents inflammation.
• Cancer : As of November 2010 greater than five clinical trials are actively investigating the anticancer activity of sulforaphane. The article in "Cancer Letters" reports that in animal studies and laboratory experiments sulforaphane exhibits several anti-cancer activities including preventing cancer cell growth in addition to its blocking liver carcinogen-activating enzymes.
• Cardiac Injury : A study in the January 2008 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" reports that sulforaphane protects against cardiac injury in rats. There is one active clinical trial initiated in April 2010 that is evaluating the effects of consuming broccoli with high concentrations of sulforaphane on cardiovascular health in humans.
• Asthma : Sulforaphane fights the inflammation that causes asthma.
• Autism : Sulforaphane can ease the symptoms of autism in some people with the disorder.