Sulforaphane (SFN): A Natural Ally for Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Detoxification

Many of my patients struggling with chronic conditions like Lyme disease, chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), and mold or mycotoxin illness experience a wide range of debilitating symptoms.

Brain fog, body fatigue, poor concentration, and chemical sensitivity, to name a few.

I often talk about sulforaphane (SFN) as a gentle but powerful tool to support the body’s ability to detoxify and heal.

If you've heard me mention it in clinic, here’s a deeper dive into what sulforaphane is and why it may be helpful. 

What Is Sulforaphane (SFN)?

Sulforaphane is a sulfur-rich compound naturally found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cabbage—especially in broccoli sprouts.

It’s formed when an enzyme called myrosinase transforms glucoraphanin (a precursor compound in the plant) into SFN during chewing or chopping.

What makes sulforaphane so beneficial?

It’s a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that supports detoxification, cellular resilience, and brain function.

Broccoli sprouts, in particular, can contain up to 100 times more glucoraphanin than mature broccoli.   

Glucoraphanin, Myrosinase, and the Gut Connection

Glucoraphanin on its own doesn’t do much until it’s converted into SFN by the enzyme myrosinase.

This enzyme is found in raw cruciferous vegetables and, importantly, can also be produced by beneficial gut bacteria.

However, many people—including those with Lyme disease or mold-related illness—have impaired gut function or have taken antibiotics that disrupt this crucial enzyme activity.

This can limit your ability to produce sulforaphane from food. Let me repeat that - if you have GI issues or have taken antibiotics before, you may not be absorbing sulforaphane from all that broccoli you’re eating!

To get the full benefits, look for sulforaphane supplements that include active myrosinase or eat raw/lightly steamed broccoli sprouts to maximize enzyme activity.

In my practice, I’ve seen patients from New Hampshire to Washington with Lyme disease and illness from chronic mold exposure who have benefited from taking a high quality Sulforaphane product.

SFN and Brain Health: Supporting BDNF and Cognitive Function

Brain fog, poor focus, and memory issues are common complaints among my patients and I have seen sulforaphane help clinically.

SFN has been shown to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a protein essential for learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity.

Studies show SFN can increase BDNF expression in the hippocampus, protect neurons from oxidative stress, and improve overall brain function.

A 2018 review by Sedlak et al. even suggested that SFN may support cognitive performance in conditions of cognitive impairment.

Sulforaphane for Prostate Health and Cancer Prevention

SFN may also help reduce prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and slow the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

In men recovering from prostate cancer, sulforaphane supplementation has been associated with a slower PSA rise, suggesting a possible role in preventing recurrence.

Its anticancer potential lies in its ability to reduce inflammation, support detoxification, and encourage the natural death of damaged or abnormal cells.

While prostate issues in general are not common presenting symptoms in my male patients with Lyme disease or CIRS, it is definitely a gland prone to the same inflammatory processes that affect other organs in chronic illness—especially when immune dysregulation, persistent infections, or toxin accumulation are present!

Given sulforaphane’s ability to lower inflammatory signaling, support detoxification through NRF2 activation, and promote the elimination of damaged cells, it may offer meaningful support for long-term prostate health even in the context of systemic conditions like Lyme, mold toxicity, or chronic inflammation

Activating NRF2: Sulforaphane’s Detox Powerhouse

One of SFN’s most powerful benefits is its activation of the NRF2 pathway—a master regulator of antioxidant and detoxification genes.

When NRF2 is activated, your body ramps up the production of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and other detox enzymes. This is critical for those with chronic illness or toxin exposure, including mold, heavy metals, pesticides, and more.

SFN and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Research is also emerging around SFN’s benefits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several small studies have shown improvements in social interaction, verbal communication, and behavior.

Researchers believe this is due to SFN’s ability to reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress—two mechanisms also relevant in chronic Lyme and mold illness.

Detoxification of Pollutants and Toxins

For those with impaired toxin clearance—common in chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), mold illness, and Lyme disease—sulforaphane (SFN) can be an essential part of a detoxification strategy. 

Many of my patients struggle to eliminate environmental toxins effectively due to genetic variations (such as in GST or NQO1 enzymes), long-term immune dysregulation, or toxin-induced damage to the liver and gut pathways.

In these cases, supporting phase II detoxification—the part of the detox process responsible for neutralizing and eliminating toxic metabolites—is crucial.

Sulforaphane is one of the most powerful natural inducers of phase II detoxification enzymes, including glutathione-S-transferase (GST), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT).

These enzymes help conjugate and remove a wide range of environmental toxins, such as benzene, acrolein, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly found in water-damaged buildings and industrial pollution.

In a clinical trial conducted in a highly polluted region of China, daily consumption of a broccoli sprout beverage significantly increased the urinary excretion of benzene and acrolein metabolites—demonstrating real-world detoxification benefits in humans (Egner et al., 2014).

This suggests sulforaphane-rich foods or supplements may provide targeted support for individuals with mold toxicity, mycotoxin exposure, or chemical sensitivity.

SFN’s mechanism of action involves robust activation of the NRF2 pathway, which not only supports antioxidant defenses but also upregulates detox enzymes and transporters that help move toxins out of the body.

This makes sulforaphane particularly valuable for patients whose detox pathways are overwhelmed or genetically compromised.

Final Thoughts

If you’re dealing with chronic illness, brain fog, mold toxicity, or difficulty detoxifying, sulforaphane may be worth considering. Whether through broccoli sprouts or a high-quality supplement with active myrosinase, this compound has wide-reaching effects on brain health, inflammation, detoxification, and even cancer prevention.

As always, talk to your healthcare provider before adding a new supplement to your routine—especially if you are already on medications or managing complex symptoms.

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product(s) mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician. Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The author and publisher are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions or products mentioned in this article.

References: 

- Horie, M., Ishii, T., & Nakai, T. (2018). Sulforaphane increases BDNF levels and supports neuroplasticity in the brain. Neurochemical Research, 43(1), 234–245.
- Kim, J., Kim, J., & Kang, H. (2013). Sulforaphane as a protective agent in brain detoxification. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 57(6), 1031–1042.
- Sedlak, T. W., Hoang, B. K., & Pletnikov, M. (2018). Effects of sulforaphane supplementation on cognitive performance: A systematic review. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 2(4), 345–355.
- Tarozzi, A., Angeloni, C., & Morroni, F. (2009). Neuroprotective effects of sulforaphane through Nrf2 activation. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 47(1), 221–229.
- Zhao, Y., Song, X., Wang, Z., & Wang, J. (2020). Sulforaphane protects against oxidative stress by activating Nrf2 and inhibiting NF-κB pathways in endothelial cells. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 146, 101–111.

- Egner, P. A., Chen, J. G., Zarth, A. T., Ng, D. K., Wang, J. B., Kensler, K. H., ... & Kensler, T. W. (2014). Rapid and sustainable detoxification of airborne pollutants by broccoli sprout beverage: Results of a randomized clinical trial in China. Cancer Prevention Research, 7(8), 813–823.