What is the NRF2 and Why is Food Better than Supplements?

I know I have said this a time or two but it bears repeating. There is no meal replacement or supplements available that is as healthy as real food. I have spoken enough about the NRF2 being an important protection of cells. Well, you might ask, "What is the NRF2?". Basically, it is a master regulator of the antioxidant system that is in all cells. Oxidative stress is a waste product of cellular metabolism and when it is available in large enough amounts it can damage the proteins and organelles of the cell leading to disease or cell death. The NRF2 system is activated when oxidative stress is present and activated hundreds of antioxidants to get rid of the oxidative stress.

Interestingly, actual chemicals in food activate the Nrf2 pathway to produce antioxidants.  "While not
necessarily rich in antioxidants, they directly and dramatically amplify our innate ability to produce vast antioxidant protection by signaling our DNA. In this way, specific molecules from Nrf2 activating foods can trigger the production of thousands of antioxidant molecules, providing far better protection against the brain-damaging effects of free radicals compared to standard antioxidant
supplements.” (Perlmutter)







Citations: What is Nrf2? Nrf2 News and Reviews. Dr. David Permutter. Huffington Post 1/25/2011.