The Rationale for Sulforaphane Favourably Influencing Gut Homeostasis and Gut–Organ Dysfunction: A Clinician’s Hypothesis

This narrative review and hypothesis paper proposes that sulforaphane (SFN) restores homeostasis to the gut ecosystem, comprising the epithelium, underlying immune network, and luminal microbiota. Drawing on 30 years of in vitro, animal, and human interventional research, the author describes SFN as a potent Nrf2 activator with sufficient bioavailability to translate from laboratory to clinical settings. A central hypothesis is that SFN may initiate release of antimicrobial peptides from Paneth cells, selectively targeting pathobionts while sparing commensal organisms. The author reports clinical observations from patients receiving a myrosinase-active broccoli sprout supplement, suggesting that initial adverse gut effects may indicate microbial imbalance amenable to dose titration. Limitations include the observational nature of clinical cases, absence of controlled trial data in this paper, reliance on the author's own clinical experience, and a declared conflict of interest as the author manufactures SFN-containing supplements.