Sulforaphane
Isothiocyanate from cruciferous vegetables (broccoli sprouts ~20–50× more concentrated than mature broccoli). Potent NRF2 activator — upregulates ARE (antioxidant response element) genes including HMOX1, NQO1, GSH synthesis. Also inhibits HDAC, suggesting epigenetic anti-cancer activity.
This compound sits in research-grey territory. The caveats below carry more weight than for FDA-approved entries — read them.
Best human evidence: prostate cancer biomarker suppression (NCT01228084 — sulforaphane reduces PSA kinetics), autism symptom improvement (small RCT, Frye et al. 2015), and air-pollution detoxification (Kensler 2012, China cohort). NRF2 activation is likely the common upstream mechanism across these diverse signals. Stability is critical — sulforaphane degrades rapidly; glucoraphanin + myrosinase (the two-part system in whole broccoli sprout products) is more stable than pre-formed sulforaphane.
Thyroid caution: crucifer-derived compounds can inhibit iodine uptake at high doses (unlikely at typical supplement doses, but flag for hypothyroidism patients). Blood thinner interaction: NRF2 upregulation of CYP450 may alter warfarin metabolism. Product quality highly variable — require products with myrosinase enzyme included.
External links to PubMed searches, ClinicalTrials.gov, and FDA materials. We do not host papers — we point at canonical sources.
Dietary supplement (DSHEA). Several clinical trials ongoing (NCT IDs for prostate cancer, ASD, air pollution). Not FDA-approved as a drug.
Distilled themes from named communities — Reddit threads, forums, creator commentary. Not direct quotes; not clinical evidence. Useful for calibrating expectations against what real self-experimenters report.
Rhonda Patrick's broccoli sprout protocol drove significant community adoption. Most users make fresh sprouts (cheapest, highest potency) or use Avmacol. Subjective reports are noisy — hard to isolate from diet improvements that often coincide.