FoundMyFitness · 2017-01-06 · Rhonda Patrick (host), Jed W. Fahey

Jed Fahey, Sc.D. on Isothiocyanates, the Nrf2 Pathway, Moringa & Sulforaphane Supplementation

83 claims checked against research: 3 overstated 5 needing context 69 supported 6 unverified

Overstated

0:39:46 Rhonda Patrick (host)overstatedhigh

VSL#3 probiotic sachets contain 450 billion bacteria, consisting of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, and other species, and have demonstrated efficacy in human clinical trials for IBS and Crohn's disease.

"there is a a probiotic out there that I've seen at least two dozen publications, including clinical trials in humans, and then there's, you know, more mechanistic studies in animals, using VSL#3, it's called. They're sachets, and they have 450 billion probiotics per sachet, and they have a mixture of Lactobacillus and and Bifidobacteria and some other ones. But showing efficacy in treating IBS, you know, Crohn's" (said at 0:39:46)

The speaker accurately describes VSL#3 as a multi-strain probiotic containing species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria (along with Streptococcus thermophilus) available in high-dose sachets, and clinical trials support its efficacy in treating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, claiming demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials for Crohn's disease overstates the evidence. Randomized controlled trials evaluating VSL#3 for Crohn's disease (such as preventing post-surgical recurrence) failed to reach statistical significance compared to placebo, and systematic meta-analyses show no proven benefit of probiotics for inducing or maintaining remission in Crohn's disease.

supports: VSL#3 improves symptoms in children with irritable bowel syndrome: a multicenter, randomiz… (Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition 2010) · cited 274x in the literature
"VSL#3 is safe and more effective than placebo in ameliorating symptoms and improving the quality of life in children affected by IBS." (abstract, conclusions, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)
contradicts: The probiotic VSL#3 has anti-inflammatory effects and could reduce endoscopic recurrence a… (Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 2015) · cited 233x in the literature
"At day 90, the proportion of patients with severe endoscopic lesions did not differ significantly between VSL#3 (9.3%) and placebo (15.7%, P = .19)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)
contradicts: Systematic review with meta-analysis: the efficacy of probiotics in inflammatory bowel dis… (Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2017) · cited 397x in the literature
"There was no benefit of probiotics in inducing remission of active CD, in preventing relapse of quiescent CD, or in preventing relapse of CD after surgically induced remission." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

2:18:00 Jed W. Faheyoverstatedmoderate

A 2014 clinical study in China found that broccoli sprout extract consumption increased the urinary excretion of benzene and acrolein conjugates by 60%.

"And so the most recent of those studies we published in 2014 showed really a dramatic enhancement of the clearance of benzene and acrolein and other pollutant conjugates in lockstep with broccoli sprout extract consumption. It was a 60% increase in excretion, which is just phenomenal." (said at 2:18:00)

A 2014 randomized clinical trial in Qidong, China (n=291) tested a broccoli sprout beverage providing glucoraphanin and sulforaphane against placebo for 12 weeks. The trial found a statistically significant 61% increase in urinary excretion of benzene-derived glutathione conjugates (mercapturic acids), but the increase for acrolein conjugates was 23%, and no significant increase was observed for crotonaldehyde. Claiming a 60% increase for both benzene and acrolein overstates the effect size observed for acrolein.

partial: Rapid and sustainable detoxication of airborne pollutants by broccoli sprout beverage: res… (Cancer prevention research (Philadelphia, Pa.) 2014) · cited 191x in the literature
"Rapid and sustained, statistically significant (P ≤ 0.01) increases in the levels of excretion of the glutathione-derived conjugates of benzene (61%), acrolein (23%), but not crotonaldehyde, were found in those receiving broccoli sprout beverage compared with placebo." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

2:14:24 Rhonda Patrick (host)overstatedlow

Epidemiological studies show that dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, is associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer and bladder cancer recurrence.

"The epidemiology is so strong showing—I mean, study after study after study showing cruciferous intake, you know, broccoli, it's showing preventing bladder recurrence as well, people that are eating these foods." (said at 2:14:24)

The speaker overstates the strength and consistency of the epidemiological evidence. While preclinical research suggests isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli) have chemopreventive properties against bladder cancer, epidemiological findings are mixed rather than conclusive ('study after study'). Meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies have found no statistically significant reduction in primary bladder cancer risk associated with high cruciferous vegetable intake. Furthermore, human epidemiological data on bladder cancer recurrence are limited and preliminary; for example, the prospective Be-Well study found no significant association between cruciferous/isothiocyanate intake and overall risk of recurrence, though some secondary associations (such as reduced odds of multiple recurrences or progression) were observed. Clinical trials testing cruciferous interventions on recurrence endpoints remain in early or pilot stages.

contradicts: Dietary consumption of cruciferous vegetables and bladder cancer risk: A systematic review… (Frontiers in nutrition 2022) · cited 8x in the literature
"We found that the highest cruciferous vegetables intake was not significantly associated with a lower risk of bladder cancer, compared with the lowest cruciferous vegetables intake category (RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.80-1.06). Linear dose-response meta-analysis indicated that the pooled RRs for 10 g/day or 1 servings/week increment of cruciferous vegetables intake was not significantly associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer ( P = 0.106 and P = 0.147, respectively)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)
context: Associations of dietary isothiocyanate exposure from cruciferous vegetable consumption wit… (The American journal of clinical nutrition 2023) · cited 10x in the literature
"Despite no significant associations with the overall risk of recurrence, urinary ITC metabolites (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.01, 4.43) and dietary ITC intake (OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.03, 4.50) were associated with late recurrence after 12-mo postdiagnosis compared with before 12-mo postdiagnosis. Raw CV intake was associated with reduced odds of having ≥2 recurrences compared with having one (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.68)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)
context: Outcomes of a Dietary Intervention to Reduce Bladder Cancer Recurrence and Progression in … (Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN 2024) · cited 7x in the literature
"A future randomized controlled trial testing POW-R Health on bladder cancer recurrence and progression is warranted. If proven to improve bladder cancer outcomes, our intervention has the potential to be a noninvasive, cost-effective, easily accessible way for NBMIC survivors to improve their bladder cancer prognosis." (abstract, conclusions, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.