Evidence supporting the use of: Isothiocyanates
For the body system: Lungs
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Isothiocyanates, a group of phytochemicals found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, watercress, and Brussels sprouts, have been studied for their potential benefits to lung health. Scientific evidence suggests that isothiocyanates—especially sulforaphane—may help protect the lungs by inducing phase II detoxification enzymes and enhancing antioxidant defenses. Several in vitro and animal studies have shown that isothiocyanates can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in lung tissue, which are key contributors to the development and progression of respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A few human studies also indicate that intake of cruciferous vegetables and their constituents may be associated with improved lung function and reduced risk of lung cancer, particularly among smokers. For example, sulforaphane has been observed to activate the NRF2 pathway, which regulates antioxidant and cytoprotective responses in lung cells. However, while preclinical data are promising, large-scale clinical trials directly linking isothiocyanate supplementation to improved lung health in humans are limited, and more research is needed for conclusive recommendations.
In summary, there is moderate scientific support for the role of isothiocyanates in promoting lung health, primarily through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, but the evidence is not yet robust enough for unequivocal clinical endorsement.
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apricot
astragalus
bamboo
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-carotene
black cumin
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Indian frankincense
broccoli
cabbage leaf
carrot
caterpillar mushroom
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
cordyceps
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fennel
flavonols
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fu ling
gamma tocopherol
gardenia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glehnia root
gooseberry
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horseradish
honeysuckle
knotweed
kale
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L-glutathione
lemon
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lovage
lycopene
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mixed carotenoids
Moringa
mustard seed
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
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spruce
oleanolic acid
ophiopogon root
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parsley
pear
Peppermint
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plantain
platycodon root
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pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
reishi mushroom
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vitamin A
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vitamin D
vitamin D3
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zhejiang fritillary
red clover
jiaogulan
boneset
Mullein
chickweed
tangerine
hyssop
cardamom
lobelia
Mugwort
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malabar nut
Clerodendrum indicum
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pistacia integerrima gall
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punarnava
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coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
solomon's seal
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ganoderma
sweetgums
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oriental arborvitae
tartarian aster
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polyphenols
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
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coix
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Abies spectabilis
horehound
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cayenne pepper
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Agastache
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alpha-terpineol
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Antrodia camphorata
anamu
Alchornea
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Albizia
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Adrenergic amines
Agarwood
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Armillaria mellea
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Alstonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Asteraceae
Adenophora
Anemarrhena
Allium tuberosum
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
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apocynin
astragalin
animal protein
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
bai ji
Baphicacanthus cusia
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Black spruce
balsam
Brassica
bishop\'s weed
Boswellic Acid
belleric myrobalan
Baccharis dracunculifolia
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baicalein
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bethroot
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butterbur
bee products
back nightshade
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baicalin
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calycosin
cod liver oil
cortisol
coriolus mushroom
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Curcuminoid
Citrus
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capsaicin
catecholamine
Chinese pond turtle
cajuput
cowherb
cruciferous
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coca
cinnamic acid
cedar
Cinidium
chicken
Centipeda
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corktree
cubeb
Curcuma
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cowslip
Cedrus libani
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deer velvet
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Elder
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essential oil blend
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elkweed
Eupatorium
ephedrine
enokitake
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flavonoids
fritillary
fang-feng
flat-stem milk-vetch
Ficus religiosa
fatty acids
fungus
flavanones
fleabane
forskolin
frankincense
flavonones
Flammulina velutipes
flavones
fibroblast growth factor
fir
Glehnia littoralis
Ginsenosides
Gleditsia
Gnaphalium
Guava
Gumweed
Guaco
Gypenoside
garlic
gamma-glutamylcysteine
Growth factors
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garden cress
Gardenia jasminoides
Galbanum
Glycyrrhizin
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Honokiol
Heartsease
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Hederacoside
honey
heal-all
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
honey loquat syrup
Hyphomycetes
isodon rubescens
Isoalantolactone
Indian sarsparilla
Indian ipecac
Isatis
Ilex
Indian coraltree
long pepper
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Ivy
Indian fagonia
jasmine
Job\'s tears
Javanese Long Pepper
Kaempferol
Kalanchoe pinnatum
knotgrass
kuding tea
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luffa
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Other body systems supported by isothiocyanates
ArteriesBladder
Blood
Brain
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Glandular System
Immune System
Intestinal System
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Liver
Lungs
Prostate
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Skin
Stomach