By now you’ve likely seen “Nrf2” in the news and all over health websites. This “master regulator” of your internal defence system has been described as “the guardian of lifespan” because of its ability to protect your health as you age. But what exactly is Nrf2? And if it truly is your body’s most powerful line of defence, are there natural ways to enhance its function?
The Nrf2 story is rather complicated—one that involves heavy science and can become uninteresting to the non-scientist rather quickly. But does it have to be so complicated?
To an extent, yes. And to talk about it simply often means leaving out important pieces of the story. But because Nrf2 is such an important element in maintaining overall health, the story must be simplified enough such that everyone can understand it in a way that it becomes meaningful.
As such, here is the simplified Nrf2 story.
WHAT IS NRF2?
Nrf2 is a structure (i.e., a protein) within cells of the body.
HOW DOES NRF2 WORK?
Nrf2 acts like a thermostat, but instead of regulating temperature it regulates the level of stress within cells of the body. And just like you set parameters on your thermostat to maintain a certain temperature in your house, the Nrf2 thermostat has set parameters to maintain a certain level of stress within your cells.
WHY NRF2 MATTERS?
In today’s world it seems everyone suffers from some amount of stress. The good news – small amounts of stress are a GOOD thing. Psychologically (mind), it motivates us to do our best work and helps us to do so in a timely fashion. Physiologically (body), it signals the release of chemicals that help keep us focused, energetic, and alert. It also signals to our bodies to turn on repair mechanisms that promote healing when we’ve been injured.
The bad news—too much of a good thing can turn into a BAD thing, and stress is no exception to the rule. High stress loads challenge the body’s ability to function optimally. The reason – stress leads to unstable conditions inside the body which can interrupt a cell’s ability to function normally. Over time, cell malfunction leads to a disruption of entire body systems which impacts your ability to function at your best.
And where does stress come from? See the graphic below for common sources of stress.
Here is where Nrf2 becomes important. When your body is under a lot of stress, it raises the level of stress within the cells to a point where it goes beyond its set parameters. So, just like a thermostat would kick on the A/C in response to air temperatures above those that have been programmed into the system, Nrf2 responds to the increased stress levels by signaling to the cell to start making hundreds of different protective molecules that work to bring stress levels back within the normal range.
How so?
These molecules reduce the stress and promote normal body function by –
- removing toxins that cause cell damage
- cleaning up damaged cells
- improving cell function, and
- activating a protective response that defends against future stress
Thus, Nrf2 matters as it helps to minimize the negative effects that high stress loads can have on your body.
STEPS TO TRIGGER NRF2:
1. Stop taking high-dose antioxidant supplements (e.g., vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E).
- Too many synthetic antioxidants can actually harm the body. We explained this in a previous blog entry, but the general idea is that synthetic antioxidants are not in the most bioavailable form and often come in massive doses that may interfere with the body’s ability to balance free radicals and antioxidants. When the body is flooded with these synthetic versions of antioxidants, it decides it doesn’t need to produce any more on its own, and those natural pathways can shut down.
2. Eat the right foods.
- Many of the foods that we think of as healthful have been shown to increase the activity of Nrf2. Some of these foods include:
- Blueberries: This delicious source of dietary antioxidants can be enjoyed alone or as a topping for yogurt, salads, or oatmeal.
- Grapes: Red, purple, and black grapes, full of anthocyanins (a class of antioxidants) are high in water (good for hydration) and easy to pack as an on-the-go snack or to add into any kind of salad.
- Avocados: Rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and heart-healthy unsaturated fat, use as a spread for sandwiches, a dip for chips, or a creamy sauce or salad dressing (lemon juice, basil, garlic, olive oil and avocado—yum!).
- Spinach: High in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and lutein, these beautiful green leaves give great color to a smoothie or a sandwich.
- Tomatoes: With a high concentration of lycopene which is part of the antioxidant family called carotenoids, slices can be added to sandwiches or salads, or chop with onions, peppers, and seasonings for a delicious salsa.
- Sweet Potatoes: Another orange veggie rich in beta-carotene—add cinnamon for flavor or chop and roast for a beautiful side dish.
- Apples: Phytochemicals like quercetin, catechin, phloridzin, and cholorogenic acid make apples an excellent choice to eat as is or as a sweet addition to salads.
- Onions: With vitamin C, folic acid, and quercetin on board, onions can be chopped raw into a salad or salsa, or cooked in just about anything savory.
- Broccoli: Flavanoids like kaempferol and quercetin as well as carotenoids like lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene make broccoli an excellent choice for a healthful side dish.
3. Boost Nrf2 with properly balanced phytonutrients.
- Certain compounds (aka, phytonutrients) found in plants have been shown to stimulate Nrf2, helping to increase production of antioxidant enzymes and other protective agents in the body. Spices and herbal extracts containing these compounds include:
- Turmeric: Contains curcumin which has high antioxidant activity.
- Bacopa: Contains high levels of bacosides with saponins, both of which have high antioxidant activity.
- Ashwagandha: Contains withanolides, an adaptogen that works to decrease oxidative stress.
- Green tea leaf: Contains catechins such as epigallocatechan gallate (“EGCG”), another phytonutrient with high antioxidant activity.
- Milk thistle: Contains silymarin, a potent antioxidant that may be 10 times more potent in antioxidant activity than vitamin E.
- Black pepper: Contains piperine which has been shown to be a free-radical scavenger.
- Pine bark: Contains oligomeric proanthocyanidin compounds, demonstrated to have strong antioxidant properties.
If the above list of phytonutrients looks familiar, that’s because many of them are found in Protandim. This Nfr2-activating product contains a specialised blend of herbals that is scientifically proven to be more than the sum of its parts. Check out the blog article Protandim Nrf2 Synergizer’s Powerful Ingredients to learn more about Protandim’s specially chosen ingredients and how they help activate your antioxidant pathways.
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STEPS TO TRIGGER AVOID BEING HIJACKED… NRF2:
- Stop taking high-dose antioxidant supplements (e.g., vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E).
- Get active.
- Practice intermittent fasting (once per month consume only water for 24 hours).
- Eat the right foods (e.g., blueberries, tea, coffee, apples, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and many more).
- Stop Your Body from Being Hijacked…Boost Nrf2 with properly balanced PHYTONUTRIENTS
- (i.e., nutrients found in plants that when combined, activate Nrf2 to a greater extent than when nutrients are consumed individually).
Protandim Nrf2 Synergizer – one of our primary tools to avoid or stop your body from being Hijacked!!!
Protect yourself with Nrf2 Activation!!!