Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Serrapeptase | Sulforaphane (Broccoli Seed Extract) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Supplements | Supplements |
| Standard Dose | 120,000-240,000 SPU (serratiopeptidase units) daily | 10-30mg sulforaphane daily (equivalent to ~100-200mg broccoli seed extract standardized to glucoraphanin + myrosinase) |
| Timing | On empty stomach (critical — food proteins will be digested instead of systemic absorption). 30+ minutes before meals or 2 hours after. | 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 | Cycle 4-8 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off | ongoing |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | strong_human |
Serrapeptase (serratiopeptidase) is a proteolytic enzyme originally isolated from the gut of the silkworm (Serratia marcescens). It hydrolyzes non-living tissue including fibrin, blood clots, cysts, and arterial plaque while sparing living tissue. It reduces bradykinin and other pain-mediating amines, provides anti-inflammatory effects by reducing neutrophil infiltration, and thins mucus by cleaving glycoprotein structures. It may also enhance antibiotic penetration into biofilms.
120,000-240,000 SPU (serratiopeptidase units) daily
On empty stomach (critical — food proteins will be digested instead of systemic absorption). 30+ minutes before meals or 2 hours after.
Cycle 4-8 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off
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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