Sulforaphane Supplements from Sprouts: Benefits for Health

There's a secret compound in your broccoli. Maybe your kale, too. It’s a compound called sulforaphane. It’s been gaining popularity over the past few years and, more recently, in the form of sulforaphane supplements. Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring plant compound that plays an important role in quite a few metabolic pathways. It has been proven in clinical studies to reduce oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease, and much more. It hasn't been widely available in dietary supplement form – until now!

A company called Point Botanicals is making a sulforaphane supplement made from whole plants with bioactive compounds that are still intact. Their mission is to nutrify the food as medicine movement. Through years of vertical farming research and testing, they know that cruciferous vegetables hold a compound that will revolutionize the health industry. To understand why this is the best sulforaphane supplement, we’ll take a look at the sources of sulforaphane, then help you understand the benefits, and why this approach is so unique. 

There are some very positive results shown in clinical settings, animal studies, and research papers on the effects of sulforaphane supplements. These claims have not yet been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This post is purely for informational purposes, and should not be considered as a replacement for medical advice. Please discuss any dietary changes with your healthcare provider. 

What is Sulforaphane?

Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring compound derived from glucoraphanin, the inactive form. This is a natural plant compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. This natural compound can also be found in broccoli seeds. When glucoraphanin is metabolized by the myrosinase enzyme, it produces sulforaphane. 

Over recent years, sulforaphane is gaining attention for its potential to be a powerful ally to well-being journeys. Sulforaphane is one of the most frequently studied plant compounds – It has been referenced in over 2,300 peer-reviewed studies! Across these studies, the National Library of Medicine conducted a meta-analysis. They reported demonstrating a variety of biological effects, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic properties. Across clinical settings for daily use at both high doses and low doses, to work on pathways that prevent heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease. 

While research is still ongoing, scientists are excited about its possible benefits, including boosting your body's natural defenses against damage and even playing a role in preventing chronic diseases. It's main benefit is it's role on the NRF2 pathway, or the pathway responsible for inflammation in the body. 

Point Botanicals is Taking Sulforaphane Supplements Mainstream

The team at Point Botanicals has discovered that the compound is found in equal levels of glucoraphanin at the sprout stage as it is in the maturation stage. So, the highest levels of sulforaphane are present at the maturation phase. Therefore, eating broccoli sprouts or microgreens has the same compound level as mature broccoli, bok choy, radishes, or other sulforaphane containing vegetables. With their vertical farming technology, they can produce food sources that contain the compound all year round!

The great news here is that for the supplement makers, the production time to produce the necessary amount of compound is drastically reduced. Point Botanicals can produce enough sulforaphane in three weeks! Compared to the sixty-day process it would take to grow and harvest mature crops, the time savings is huge. Another benefit for Point Botanicals is that they have the ability and technology to process the greens directly from the whole plant into supplement form, essentially into broccoli sprout powder. 

This is truly revolutionary! Having a whole plant in capsules or in supplement form is not only beneficial for your health in terms of getting other beneficial compounds, like vitamins and fiber.  Whole plant supplements also boast sustainability benefits because there is no leftover plant waste from the energy and resource-intensive extraction process.

Health Benefits of Sulforaphane

Antioxidants: Your Body's Built-in Bodyguard

The importance of antioxidants has been widely popularized over the past few decades. Antioxidants are important because they help combat free radicals. In simple terms, free radicals are unstable molecules. They can cause undesirable reactions in the body that lead to aging, disease progression, and illnesses. Little is known about their pathways or how they operate, so antioxidant compounds are the best defense against them. 

Antioxidants are found in high levels in fruits, berries, and hearty vegetables. Aside from all the benefits of eating healthy foods, the ones that contain antioxidants help neutralize free radicals before they can cause havoc on your body. 

But sulforaphane's benefits don't stop there! It helps reduce inflammation, which is linked to various health problems. Additionally, it might even activate genes that help your body repair itself and fight off potential dangers. While more research is needed to fully understand its potential, sulforaphane's impressive resume makes it a valuable addition to your dietary arsenal. Don't underestimate the power of these little green plants – they might just be your body's secret weapon for staying healthy!

Cancer Fighting Properties

Sulforaphane is showing promising potential in early studies to slow cancer cell growth. Researchers have observed its ability to suppress the growth of various cancer cells, including those in the smokers’ lungs, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer cells. What's even more exciting is that sulforaphane might promote detoxification. Helping your body get rid of harmful substances that can contribute to cancer development – unheard of!

Sulforaphane plays a role in the NRF2 pathway, which regulates cells' responses to oxidative stress by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes. This pathway is also critical for reversing inflammation. The pathway can protect cells against the side effects of chemotherapeutic agents, which is why sulforaphane may benefit people on chemotherapeutic treatment. The team at Point Botanicals is working to see if sulforaphane suplements can be used for cancer prevention,, and they are working with various universities across the US to assess this hypothesis. 

However, it's crucial to remember that these studies are still in their early stages. Sulforaphane supplements should never be considered a replacement for proven cancer treatments or a guaranteed prevention method. While the potential is exciting, it's essential to have realistic expectations. If you're interested in exploring the potential benefits of sulforaphane, remember, your healthcare professional is your best partner. 

Sulforaphane supplements for Brain Health

Along with potential health benefits, sulforaphane may play a key role in brain health. Early research suggests sulforaphane could be a neuroprotective hero, guarding our brains from damage and potential decline. 

A 2020 Article published in Natural Products and Neuroprotection 2.0 concluded “based on its effects, as well as a low neurotoxicity, [sulforaphane] SFN could be useful as a support to current therapies for the management of neurodegenerative diseases.” Studies show sulforaphane can reduce inflammation, a major threat to brain health. It may even boost the production of protective enzymes.

 Researchers are cautiously optimistic, exploring its potential role in slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's. While more research is needed to confirm these exciting possibilities, incorporating more cruciferous vegetables into your diet might be a delicious way to support your brainpower.

Diabetes & Weight Loss

With the rise in GLP-1 type drugs like Ozempic and WeGovy now approved for use in the United States, there’s a growing interest in weight loss drugs. Traditional programs use diet and exercise reduce weight and obesity for a better quality of life. However sulforaphane has shown promising attributes to be a contender against obesity and diabetes. 

While sulforaphane does not reduce body weight or food intake, it actually helps suppress appetite through working in conjunction with Leptin, a hormone that indicates fullness. The anti-inflammation properties also present digestive benefits like a healthier, more diverse gut bacteria. 

Sulforaphane has also been noticed to reduce complications of diabetes. One peer-reviewed meta-analysis discovered 34 preclinical studies reporting on the potential therapeutic effects of sulforaphane against diabetes-associated complications.

Obestity Causes Stress on the Body, Sulforaphane can Help

Along with weight, there are some other characteristic effects of obesity. The body enters a systemic state of stress which includes and forms something called a reactive oxygen species (ROS). These compounds are often called “Free-Radicals”, and it’s something that antioxidants can combat. The NRF-2 Pathway is responsible for regulating homeostasis of ROS, so it’s important role in maintaining inflammation. Sulforaphane can help neutralize this pathway, thus reducing inflammation and numerous disease related markers. Inflammation and low grade systemic stress are both precursors to Type 2 Diabetes. 

It's important to remember that these potential benefits are still being explored. Sulforaphane shouldn't be considered a cure-all or replacement for any treatment plans. While the early research is promising, it's crucial to have realistic expectations. If you're curious about incorporating more sulforaphane into your diet, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can help you understand the latest research and potential risks and benefits in the context of your individual health. Professionals can also suggest the best way to include more cruciferous vegetables or consider sulforaphane supplements if suitable.

Adverse Side Effects

Sulforaphane boasts some incredible benefits and is usually well-tolerated by most. Some of the most common side effects are upset stomach or heartburn. Cruciferous vegetables are known for making some people feel gassy, so by taking the whole plant version of sulforaphane supplements, you may experience some digestive upset.  

Key Considerations for Sulforaphane Supplements

There are some very positive results shown in clinical settings from the effects of sulforaphane supplements. But it's important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not evaluated these claims. With many companies looking into sulforaphane production, you may experience different effects across various sulforaphane supplements.  

It's crucial to talk to your doctor before taking sulforaphane supplements, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are on medication. They can help you understand the latest research, weigh the potential risks and benefits in the context of your individual health, and advise on whether incorporating more cruciferous vegetables into your diet or considering sulforaphane supplements might be right for you.

What's your experience with Sulforaphane?

Point Botanicals is working to convey the great benefits of their sulforaphane supplements, like anticancer properties, brain health, immune system support, and any other use of sulforaphane. If you haven't tried it yet, check out Cellular Farm's website to explore their line of Point Botanicals.

Recipes that Use Cruciferous Vegetables 

• Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Mash
• Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
• Buffalo ChickPeas with Broccoli