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The Uses of Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane is a compound found in certain vegetables, most notably broccoli. It can be obtained naturally by eating raw broccoli sprouts and other sulforaphane-containing vegetables. Cooking the vegetables greatly reduces the amount of sulforaphine present in them. Sulforaphane supplements are also available in health food and vitamin stores. Sulforaphane can be used to combat a variety of conditions and diseases.

  1. Cancer

    • Sulforaphane is used to treat a variety of cancers, including prostate cancer, glioma and breast cancer. According to a study published in a 2005 issue of "The Journal of Biological Chemistry," sulforaphane causes death in human prostate cancer cells. It inhibits cell proliferation in glioma and breast cancer, which can prevent metastasis. When taken by healthy individuals, sulforaphane may prevent cancer from developing.

    Gastrointestinal Disorders

    • Sulforaphane shows promise in the treatment of ulcer disease and the prevention of gastric cancer. A 2008 study done by researchers at the Tokyo University of Science found that sulforaphane killed Helicobactor pylori bacteria and prevented gastric atrophy. These bacteria are the most common cause of ulcer disease, and are strongly associated with gastric cancer. Aside from its bactericidal properties, sulforaphane also protects gastric mucosa against oxidative stress, which reduces gastric cancer risk.

    Osteoarthritis

    • Preliminary research suggests that sulforaphane may be useful in treating osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage degeneration due to chondrocyte cell death. A research article published in a 2011 issue of the "Journal of Cellular Physiology" noted that sulforaphane protected chondrocyte cells against various stimuli that usually caused death in these cells, which resulted in decreased cellular death rates. Further research is being undertaken to determine whether sulforaphane is a viable treatment option for osteoarthritis.

    Other Uses

    • Sulforaphane can be used to promote heart health by reducing cholesterol and high blood pressure, both of which reduce the risk of developing heart disease, especially in high risk people. It has also been shown to protect the retinas against light-induced retinal damage. A rare, genetic disease called epidermolysis bullosa simplex, which is currently untreatable, is responding to treatment with sulforaphane, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, who published a study in the September 2007 issue of "PNAS."

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