Oxidative Stress
Episodes
In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses the many ways in which sulforaphane aids the body in excreting harmful compounds.
In this clip, Dr. Mark Mattson describes the importance of transient, short-term, mild energetic stress to maintain healthy cells.
In this clip, Dr. Jed Fahey rebuts popular claims that an all-meat diet is healthful.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses the many ways in which sulforaphane aids the body in excreting harmful compounds.
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In this clip, Dr. Mark Mattson describes the importance of transient, short-term, mild energetic stress to maintain healthy cells.
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In this clip, Dr. Jed Fahey rebuts popular claims that an all-meat diet is healthful.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick describes advances in sulforaphane research that are particularly relevant to the brain.
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Dr. Patrick covers vitamin C's diverse aspects: bioavailability, immune function, viral protection, lung health, cancer impact, exercise effects, and more!
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Rhonda Vitamin D Brain Cancer Epigenetics Aging Hormones Diabetes Vitamin C Antibiotics Vitamin K Sulforaphane Sauna Glutathione Oxidative Stress NAD+ CardiovascularDr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
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Dr. Guido Kroemer describes the anti-diabetes and anti-obesity effects of exercise-induced autophagy.
Topic Pages
News & Publications
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Exposure to fine particulate matter in air pollution more than doubles the risk of developing eczema. journals.plos.org
Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, affects roughly 10% of people in the United States. Evidence suggests that environmental factors, including air pollution, influence the risk of developing eczema. A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a key component of ambient air pollution, more than doubles the risk of eczema.
Researchers drew on data from adults enrolled in the All of Us Research Program. They compared people with eczema to those without, linking their zip codes to average annual PM2.5 concentrations. Then, they analyzed the relationship between PM2.5 levels and eczema while adjusting for factors like demographics, smoking, and other skin conditions.
They found that people with eczema were exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 than those without eczema. People with eczema lived in areas with about 2% higher PM2.5 concentrations, and the risk of eczema increased considerably with higher pollution levels. The odds of having eczema were more than twice as high (158%) in areas with the highest PM2.5 concentrations, even after accounting for smoking and other health conditions.
These findings suggest that air pollution contributes to the development of eczema. Given that PM2.5 can infiltrate the skin and contribute to skin barrier dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, addressing air pollution could be a key strategy for preventing and managing eczema. Sulforaphane, a bioactive compound derived from broccoli, promotes the excretion of air pollutants. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Jed Fahey.
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The skin is the body’s first line of defense against environmental exposures. However, the skin changes considerably as we age, reducing its defense capacity. A 2021 study in mice found that sulforaphane, a bioactive compound derived from broccoli, mitigates age-related skin changes by activating Nrf2, a protein that participates in the body’s antioxidant defense system.
Researchers fed young and old mice regular mouse chow or chow supplemented with sulforaphane for three months. They assessed the antioxidant capacity and protein expression levels in the animals' skin. They also measured levels of reactive oxygen species and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9, a protein involved in tissue remodeling, inflammation, and wound healing), assessed epidermal and dermal thickness changes, and analyzed collagen content.
They found that sulforaphane reduced reactive oxygen species and MMP9 levels in older mice. It also increased the skin’s antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by enhanced Nrf2 production. They observed no difference in epidermal thickness between young and old SFN-treated mice, but dermal layers were thinner in older mice. Collagen content improved in young and old mice, with more substantial structural improvements observed in the older group.
These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with sulforaphane ameliorates age-related skin changes in mice by activating the Nrf2 pathway, enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress.
Notably, the dose provided in this mouse study was very high, translating to about 2,500 milligrams of sulforaphane in humans – roughly the amount supplied in 63 cups of broccoli sprouts. Nevertheless, sulforaphane’s antioxidant-inducing capacity is well established, and consumption of sulforaphane-rich foods is associated with increased healthspan and lifespan. Broccoli sprouts are excellent sources of sulforaphane and are easy to grow at home. For tips on how to grow broccoli sprouts, check out our comprehensive Sprouting Guide, a members-only perk.
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Higher serum magnesium concentrations may reduce the risk of brain aneurysms and aneurysmal brain bleeding. (2021) www.physiciansweekly.com
Higher serum magnesium concentrations reduce the risk of having a brain aneurysm.
A brain aneurysm is a weakness in a blood vessel in the brain that swells and fills with blood. If the aneurysm ruptures, it releases blood into the spaces that surround the brain. This bleeding can cause many complications, including hemorrhagic stroke, brain damage, coma, and even death. Evidence from a 2021 study suggests that higher serum magnesium concentrations reduce the risk of having a brain aneurysm.
Magnesium is an essential mineral and a cofactor for hundreds of enzymes. Found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds, magnesium participates in many physiological processes, including energy production, protein synthesis, ion transport, and cell signaling. Magnesium deficiency is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Genetic variants called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influence magnesium status.
The investigators conducted an analysis using Mendelian randomization, a research method that provides evidence of links between modifiable risk factors and disease based on genetic variants within a population. Mendelian randomization is less likely to be affected by confounding or reverse causation than other types of studies, but since it is based on assumptions, the likelihood of the assumptions must be taken into consideration. Their analysis focused on five magnesium-related SNPs identified in a genome-wide association study in nearly 24,000 people of European ancestry. They found that for every 0.1 mmol/L genetically predicted increase in serum magnesium concentration, the risk of having either a ruptured or unruptured brain aneurysm decreased 34 percent.
These findings suggest that higher magnesium concentrations reduce the risk of having a brain aneurysm. Learn more about the importance of magnesium in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.