Phtyochemicals: The "Dark Matter" of Nutrition We Must Investigate and Utilize

Broccoli sprouts supply a good source of protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are made by the plants for their own protection. Phytochemicals include colors (pigments), scents, and various compounds with antibiotic or other defensive activities.

Understanding the amazing qualities of phytochemical in plants in general and how they can be used more specifically for protecting and enhancing health has been the long standing vision and mission at BioImmersion for the last two decades.

These 50,000 or so phytochemical compounds have recently been called “the dark matter of nutrition” and are described as being invisible to both epidemiological studies and the public at large (Barabási, et al., 2020; Fahey & Kensler, 2021). But research is digging deeply into this fascinating field of tiny nutritional molecules that the human body needs.

Enjoy this great article on the journey of two research scientists growing broccoli sprouts and researching Sulforaphanes qualities as health agents for different types of chronic illnesses. Fahey and Kensler have been at this since 1997 and have much to share with you. Enjoy. Article

Abstract 

Broccoli sprouts are a convenient and rich source of the glucosinolate glucoraphanin, which can generate the chemopreventive agent sulforaphane through the catalytic actions of plant myrosinase or β-thioglucosidases in the gut microflora. Sulforaphane, in turn, is an inducer of cytoprotective enzymes through activation of Nrf2 signaling, and a potent inhibitor of carcinogenesis in multiple murine models. Sulforaphane is also protective in models of diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and other inflammatory processes, likely reflecting additional actions of Nrf2 and interactions with other signaling pathways. Translating this efficacy into the design and implementation of clinical chemoprevention trials, especially food-based trials, faces numerous challenges including the selection of the source, placebo, and dose as well as standardization of the formulation of the intervention material. Unlike in animals, purified sulforaphane has had very limited use in clinical studies. We have conducted a series of clinical studies and randomized clinical trials to evaluate the effects of composition (glucoraphanin-rich [± myrosinase] vs. sulforaphane-rich or mixture beverages), formulation (beverage vs. tablet) and dose, on the efficacy of these broccoli sprout-based preparations to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic action, and clinical benefit. While the challenges for the evaluation of broccoli sprouts in clinical trials are themselves formidable, further hurdles must be overcome to bring this science to public health action.  Article

Glucosinolates & Sulforaphanes  

Glucosinolates & Sulforaphanes  

Each of our vegan capsule has 500 mg of organic broccoli sprouts, harvested at the peak of their phytonutrient power. 

References:

• Fahey, J. W., & Kensler, T. W. (2021). The Challenges of Designing and Implementing Clinical Trials With Broccoli Sprouts… and Turning Evidence Into Public Health Action. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 183. Article 

• Paśko, P., Tyszka-Czochara, M., Galanty, A., Gdula-Argasińska, J., Żmudzki, P., Bartoń, H., ... & Gorinstein, S. (2018). Comparative study of predominant phytochemical compounds and proapoptotic potential of broccoli sprouts and florets. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 73(2), 95-100. Article

Sincerely yours,

Dohrea

We have developed our products based on scientific research and/or the practical experience of many healthcare practitioners. There is a growing body of literature on food based nutrition and supplements and their application in support of our health. Please use our products under the advisement of your doctor.

Green Facts:

And more on broccoli sprouts: Kim, J. (2021). Pre-clinical neuroprotective evidences and plausible mechanisms of sulforaphane in Alzheimer’s Disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(6), 2929. Article

©2005 - 2022 BioImmersion Inc. All Rights Reserved;