{
  "slug": "sulforaphane",
  "name": "Sulforaphane",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Sulforaphane",
    "SFN",
    "Broccoli Sprout Extract",
    "Glucoraphanin (precursor)"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "NRF2/ARE pathway activation (modifies Keap1 cysteine residues Cys151/273/288 -> NRF2 nuclear translocation -> up-regulates >200 cytoprotective genes); in a research context sulforaphane is one of the most potent known natural NRF2 activators",
    "Phase II detox-enzyme induction: coordinated up-regulation of GST / NQO1 / HO-1 / GCL / TrxR (research context; relevant to carcinogen/pollutant conjugation and glutathione synthesis)",
    "NF-kB signaling suppression (down-regulating IL-6 / TNF-alpha / COX-2 pro-inflammatory pathways; research-stage mechanism)",
    "Epigenetic modulation: HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibition",
    "Mitochondrial protection / autophagy-mitophagy-related signaling (preclinical plus some human research)"
  ],
  "target": [
    "NRF2",
    "Keap1",
    "ARE (antioxidant response element)",
    "GST",
    "NQO1",
    "HO-1",
    "GCL",
    "TrxR",
    "HDAC",
    "NF-kB"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "NRF2 / Phase II detox-enzyme induction (strongest research direction)",
    "air-pollutant metabolism support (Qidong China cohort RCT)",
    "liver-function indices research direction (grade B)",
    "blood glucose / insulin sensitivity research direction (grade B)",
    "inflammatory-marker research direction (grade B)",
    "skin UV oxidative-stress research direction (grade C; includes topical)",
    "neuropsychiatric adjunct research (schizophrenia negative symptoms / cognition / ADHD / ASD; research-stage, inconsistent results)"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "LIVER",
    "IMMUNE",
    "EPIGEN",
    "CELL",
    "ENDO"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "A",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 4,
  "dosage_range": "30-60 mg sulforaphane/day (roughly equivalent to 100-200 g fresh broccoli sprouts); most RCTs fall in the 25-300 micromol SFN/day range over 2-18 weeks. The precursor glucoraphanin needs active myrosinase co-delivery to convert efficiently into active SFN. Educational reference, not a dosing recommendation.",
  "safety_notes": "The broccoli source has a long dietary-use history; a single oral 200 micromol (~35 mg) SFN dose was well tolerated and long-term RCTs at 68 mg glucoraphanin/day showed no serious adverse effects. The common effect is transient, dose-related mild GI upset (bloating, gas, mild nausea). Theoretically, large doses of isothiocyanates could affect iodine uptake (a goitrogenic effect), though no significant effect is seen at clinical doses; people with thyroid dysfunction should consult a doctor. NRF2-induced Phase II enzymes may mildly affect some drug metabolism (e.g. increased acetaminophen conjugation). Caution in people allergic to cruciferous vegetables; no safety data in infants; no dedicated pregnancy/lactation trials, so consult a professional before using concentrated extracts. Labels should clearly distinguish glucoraphanin (precursor) from sulforaphane (active) doses.",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "Sold as a dietary supplement (e.g. Avmacol, Prostaphane, BroccoMax, BrocElite); the broccoli-derived precursor glucoraphanin (Truebroc) holds a self-affirmed GRAS no-objection, while sulforaphane products are marketed via the DSHEA structure/function-claim pathway (30-day notification + FDA disclaimer) as a manufacturer self-determination, not an FDA-authorized health claim. All disease claims are red-lined (cancer/autism/diabetes/H. pylori eradication prohibited). 'Detox' is a high-sensitivity term and should be expressed indirectly as supports the body's natural detoxification processes.",
    "efsa": "Broccoli-sprout extract is sold as a supplement in member states such as France and Italy (Prostaphane precedent); highly concentrated/purified SFN may trigger Novel Food assessment. As of 2026 EFSA has authorized no sulforaphane health claim, so no authorized claim exists (science-education / brand context only).",
    "anvisa": "Broccoli as food is unrestricted; concentrated extract is not on the IN no 28/2018 positive list, has no specific functional claim, and requires case-by-case technical assessment. Only a food-grade 'contains cruciferous-vegetable active compounds' description is safe."
  },
  "authorized_claims": [],
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/sulforaphane/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [
    "longevity-stack",
    "inflammation-relief"
  ],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [
    "senior-60-plus"
  ],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "rnd_pipeline_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition, clinical-protocol internals, and RnD pipeline data are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}