Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Quercetin | Sulforaphane (Broccoli Seed Extract) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Supplements | Supplements |
| Standard Dose | 500-1000mg daily | 10-30mg sulforaphane daily (equivalent to ~100-200mg broccoli seed extract standardized to glucoraphanin + myrosinase) |
| Timing | With meals for absorption. For senolytic effect: 3-day pulse monthly on empty stomach. | On empty stomach or with light meal. Myrosinase enzyme required for conversion from glucoraphanin — ensure supplement contains it or add mustard seed powder. |
| Cycle Duration | ongoing for general use; pulsed monthly for senolytic protocols | ongoing |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | strong_human |
Quercetin is a flavonoid that inhibits mast cell degranulation and histamine release, functions as a potent senolytic (selectively clearing senescent cells) when combined with dasatinib or fisetin, and activates AMPK and SIRT1 pathways. It inhibits PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, suppresses NF-kB, and modulates JAK-STAT inflammatory cascades. As a zinc ionophore, it facilitates zinc entry into cells, which may inhibit viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
500-1000mg daily
With meals for absorption. For senolytic effect: 3-day pulse monthly on empty stomach.
ongoing for general use; pulsed monthly for senolytic protocols
Sulforaphane is the most potent natural activator of the Nrf2-ARE (antioxidant response element) pathway. It modifies Keap1 cysteine residues, releasing Nrf2 to translocate to the nucleus and upregulate >200 cytoprotective genes including NQO1, glutathione S-transferases, heme oxygenase-1, and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (Phase II detox enzymes). It also inhibits HDAC activity (epigenetic modification), induces Phase II/III xenobiotic metabolism, and suppresses NF-kB inflammatory signaling.
10-30mg sulforaphane daily (equivalent to ~100-200mg broccoli seed extract standardized to glucoraphanin + myrosinase)
On empty stomach or with light meal. Myrosinase enzyme required for conversion from glucoraphanin — ensure supplement contains it or add mustard seed powder.
ongoing
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