In recent years, the importance of a healthy diet for our overall health and longevity has become increasingly important. Scientific research has shown that certain nutrients and compounds in foods can help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, which are linked to a variety of chronic diseases. One such compound that has received a lot of attention recently is sulforaphane. In this MoleQlar post, we'll explore what sulforaphane is, what foods contain the molecule, and what effect the molecule might have on our longevity.
What is sulforaphane?
Sulforaphane is an all-natural compound found in certain cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage . It is produced by the combination of two compounds called glucoraphanin and myrosinase, which are present in the cells of these vegetables. When the cells of broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables are damaged - for example, when they are chopped or chewed - a chemical reaction occurs in which glucoraphanin (precursor) and myrosinase (activating enzyme) come together to form sulforaphane. This process can also be triggered by heating, when the heat breaks down the vegetables' cell walls and releases the two compounds.
Sulforaphane is a powerful antioxidant and a significant anti-inflammatory, meaning it may help Reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Both are factors that are associated with a variety of diseases and aging processes. But before we take a closer look at the molecule, let's take a look at the precursor glucoraphanin and the activator enzyme myrosinase. Why? These two substances form the basis for the creation of sulforaphane and are therefore particularly important.
What is Glucoraphanin?
Glucoraphanin belongs to the family of glucosinolates, which are known as secondary plant substances and are receiving increasing attention due to their health-promoting effects. They are also known as mustard oil glycosides . Glucoraphanin has a distinctive molecular structure consisting of a glucose molecule and a sulfur-containing molecule called a sulfoxy group. When glucoraphanin is activated by enzymes, it converts to sulforaphane by removing the sulfoxy group. Therefore, glucoraphanin is used in innovative dietary supplements combined with myrosinase (activator enzyme). The conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane occurs primarily in the gastrointestinal tract. We will explain what exactly the activator enzyme myrosinase is in the next section.
What is myrosinase?
Myrosinase is an enzyme that is responsible for converting glucoraphanin into sulforaphane . Without myrosinase, glucoraphanin would not be able to be converted into sulforaphane. During cooking of cruciferous vegetables, the myrosinase enzyme can be destroyed due to heat or pH changes, reducing the conversion of glucoraphanin to the target molecule. For this reason it is recommended to gently cook cruciferous vegetables or eat them raw to ensure that sufficient myrosinase is present to ensure the conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane. Alternatively you can take a combination of glucoraphanin and myrosinase as a dietary supplement.
What is Glucoraphanin?
Glucoraphanin belongs to the family of glucosinolates, which are known as secondary plant substances and are receiving increasing attention due to their health-promoting effects. They are also known as mustard oil glycosides . Glucoraphanin has a distinctive molecular structure consisting of a glucose molecule and a sulfur-containing molecule called a sulfoxy group. When glucoraphanin is activated by enzymes, it converts to sulforaphane by removing the sulfoxy group. Therefore, glucoraphanin is used in innovative dietary supplements combined with myrosinase (activator enzyme). The conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane occurs primarily in the gastrointestinal tract. We will explain what exactly the activator enzyme myrosinase is in the next section.
What is myrosinase?
Myrosinase is an enzyme that is responsible for converting glucoraphanin into sulforaphane . Without myrosinase, glucoraphanin would not be able to be converted into sulforaphane. During cooking of cruciferous vegetables, the myrosinase enzyme can be destroyed due to heat or pH changes, reducing the conversion of glucoraphanin to the target molecule. For this reason it is recommended to gently cook cruciferous vegetables or eat them raw to ensure that sufficient myrosinase is present to ensure the conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane. Alternatively you can take a combination of glucoraphanin and myrosinase as a dietary supplement.
What is the Nrf2 signaling pathway?
Nrf2 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in regulating the expression of genes involved in detoxification of harmful substances and the fight against oxidative stress are. When sulforaphane is absorbed into the body, it activates this signaling pathway by interacting with certain proteins in the cells and stimulating their release from the cytoplasm (cell water) into the cell nucleus.
The Nrf2 signaling pathway has a number of positive effects on health. On the one hand, it protects cells from oxidative stress, which is caused by free radicals and can lead to cell damage, inflammation and disease. On the other hand, it helps to detoxify harmful substances that may be present in the body. By activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, various protective mechanisms are activated in the body. Sounds good? Okay. But how should I best take sulforaphane now?
Why should you take sulforaphane in capsule form?
Although the best sources of sulforaphane are cruciferous vegetables, it can be difficult to obtain sufficient amounts of the bioactive molecule from foods alone. The absorption of sulforaphane is more complex than it seems at first glance. Sulforaphane in its pure form is very unstable and usually does not enter our body. is destroyed on the way into the intestine. The combination of glucoraphanin and myrosinase mimics the natural production of activated sulforaphane in our digestive tract. To ensure that stomach acid cannot attack the molecular structures, the capsule is covered with an enteric layer. This is the only way the highly pure and bioactive vital substance can fully develop its effect in the body. Our Sulforapro is an innovative molecule complex made from the sulforaphane precursor glucoraphanin and its activator enzyme myrosinase, combined with natural broccoli extract.
What is the Nrf2 signaling pathway?
Nrf2 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in regulating the expression of genes involved in detoxification of harmful substances and the fight against oxidative stress are. When sulforaphane is absorbed into the body, it activates this signaling pathway by interacting with certain proteins in the cells and stimulating their release from the cytoplasm (cell water) into the cell nucleus.
The Nrf2 signaling pathway has a number of positive effects on health. On the one hand, it protects cells from oxidative stress, which is caused by free radicals and can lead to cell damage, inflammation and disease. On the other hand, it helps to detoxify harmful substances that may be present in the body. By activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, various protective mechanisms are activated in the body. Sounds good? Okay. But how should I best take sulforaphane now?
Why should you take sulforaphane in capsule form?
Although the best sources of sulforaphane are cruciferous vegetables, it can be difficult to obtain sufficient amounts of the bioactive molecule from foods alone. The absorption of sulforaphane is more complex than it seems at first glance. Sulforaphane in its pure form is very unstable and usually does not enter our body. is destroyed on the way into the intestine. The combination of glucoraphanin and myrosinase mimics the natural production of activated sulforaphane in our digestive tract. To ensure that stomach acid cannot attack the molecular structures, the capsule is covered with an enteric layer. This is the only way the highly pure and bioactive vital substance can fully develop its effect in the body. Our Sulforapro is an innovative molecule complex made from the sulforaphane precursor glucoraphanin and its activator enzyme myrosinase, combined with natural broccoli extract.
