If you think you’re exposed to environmental pollution only when you step outside your home, think again.
Over the years, we’ve come to discover that most products that we have habitually been using in our lives have a direct impact on our health. From non-stick pans, cleaning products to plastic containers and cosmetics, endocrine disruptors are found almost everywhere. Some people are also exposed to heavy metals, mold and pesticides on a daily basis. All this is a part of environmental pollution that we are directly in contact with!
It’s no wonder that so many of us suffer from disorders stemming from hormone imbalances and inflammation.
This is where detoxification comes in! And no, we’re not talking about those juice cleanses. Detoxification in functional medicine is a form of therapy that eliminates toxin exposure, while also supporting your body’s natural detox system to do a better job.
At My Pure MD, our holistic doctors in Houston regularly turn to food to be our medicine. We believe a balanced diet and the naturally-occurring vitamins, minerals and compounds in our everyday food can truly have transformative detoxification effects on our health. One such transformative compound is Sulforaphane.
A detoxifying superstar! That’s what Sulforaphane (SFN) is in a nutshell. To put it in scientific terms, sulforaphane is a naturally-occurring phytochemical that is derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and brussels sprouts. It acts as an anti-oxidant and potent stimulator of endogenous detoxifying enzymes. Sulforaphane is also known for its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sulforaphane is metabolised in our bodies from glucoraphanin and enzymes called myrosinase.A potent anti-oxidant and detoxifying compound, Sulforaphane communicates with our DNA and tells it to activate genes that produce antioxidants like glutathione and other detoxification enzymes. It uses the Nrf2 pathway , also known as the ‘activator of cellular defences’ to do this.
Sulforaphane is a multitasker that has beneficial properties for almost everyone. Since it activates the NrF2 pathway, it affects the activities of more than 200 genes. This means that there are a vast number of ways that Sulforaphane can be beneficial for you. Some of the proven benefits are:
Thankfully, sulforaphane is super easy for us to make use of! Since it is an ingredient metabolised by our bodies from nutrients present in cruciferous veggies, including these veggies in our daily diets is the first step in experiencing the benefits of SFN. Here’s a list of some cruciferous veggies that offer high doses of SFN:
Although it is a great first step, eating cruciferous veggies isn’t the only factor involved in ensuring you receive SFN and its benefits. SFN requires several other enzymes and vitamins in order to perform to its full potential. Consulting experienced functional medicine doctors at My Pure MD, Houston, can help you determine whether you need SFN, and how you can make the most of this superhero compound. Book a discovery call with us today and get started on your path to wellness!
