The NRF2 Pathway & Sulforaphane for Cancer
One of the most important biological pathways in the human body is called the NRF2 pathway. Due to its extreme importance in cancer, aging, inflammation and detoxification it has been called such things as “the fountain of youth pathway,” “the anti-aging pathway,” and “the cancer protection pathway.” Its activation effects the expression of over 200 genes including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory genes as well as genes that inactivate dangerous compounds (detoxification genes).
Fortunately, there is a compound found in nature that innately induces this powerful pathway. This compound is called isothiocyanate. Sulforaphane is a potent isothiocyanate and is found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and kale. Robust amounts of scientific research point towards sulforaphane’s potent cancer preventative effects as well as its benefit in those who already have a diagnosis of cancer.
Decreased cancer risk in those who consume healthy amount of cruciferous vegetables on a regular basis has been shown in the scientific research. For example, in a 2010 study, smokers who consumed 4.5 serving of raw cruciferous vegetables per month were shown to have a 55% reduction in lung cancer risk (this doesn’t mean that if you eat cruciferous vegetables it’s ok to start smoking!)
Naturally occurring sulforaphane in cruciferous vegetables is formed from glucosinolates, which are produced from the help of an enzyme called myrosinase. This enzyme is activated when the cruciferous vegetable is chewed, crushed or chopped. However, and importantly, it is inactivated when boiled or steamed. Researchers take advantage of the importance of this: In studies where the effect of sulforaphane is tested, typically the participants are fed raw cruciferous vegetables, mainly broccoli sprouts or nutraceuticals containing sulforaphane.
In a study where men with prostate cancer were given 60mg of sulforaphane daily, (approximately 140g of fresh broccoli sprouts) the results showed a slowing of the doubling rate of PSA by 80% compared to placebo. A study in those with bladder cancer demonstrated that consuming 4 servings of raw cruciferous vegetables per month decreased bladder cancer mortality by 57% compared with those who only consumed 1 serving.
The proposed mechanism by which sulforaphane has its “anti-cancer” properties is due to its effects on both tumour cells and on healthy cells as well. One action is that sulforaphane prevents is deactivation of phase I biotransformation enzymes – these enzymes convert procarcinogens into carcinogens. Another is that sulforaphane can activate phase II detoxification enzymes. It can also cause increased expression in the NQ01 gene. NQ01 is involved in important processes associated with detoxification.
Most importantly, it prevents the degradation of the tumour suppressor protein p53. Over 50% of all adult cancers have a broken or mutated p53 gene. Sulforaphane can also prevent DNA adducts, a type of DNA damage known to lead to cancer. The NRF2 pathway and its effects on inflammation, detoxification and cancer are well known and scientifically backed. Upregulating this pathway is relevant in many disease processes, especially in cancer prevention and treatment.
Why I choose Integra Nutritionals (Cell Logic) Clinician Only Range?
Integra Nutritionals is an enzyme-active 100% whole broccoli sprout powder, optimised for its sulforaphane yield. As a science-based company, Cell-Logic has developed its unique manufacturing technology to produce Integra Nutritionals, which yields the highest sulforaphane concentration of any broccoli sprout supplement currently available. When compared with other whole broccoli sprout powders, one gram of Integra yields around 3-4 times greater sulforaphane. This provides a manageable dose, which is capable of matching the large doses of fresh sprouts and sprout powder used in a number of clinical trials.
Integra is a nutraceutical-grade, not a food-grade product. As such, in every single batch of their broccoli sprout raw material, they test at many steps throughout its production from seed through fresh sprout, to dried sprout and finally to finely milled powder.