Therapeutic potential of dietary phase 2 enzyme inducers in ameliorating diseases that have an underlying inflammatory component

Many diseases associated with ageing have an underlying oxidative stress an d accompanying inflammatory component, for example, Alzheimer's disease or atherosclerosis. Reviewed in this manuscript are: the role of oxidative str ess in activating the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB ), the role of NFkappaB in activating pro-inflammatory gene transcription, strong oxidants produced by cells, anti-oxidant defense systems, the centra l role of phase 2 enzymes in the anti-oxidant defense, dietary phase 2 enzy me inducers and evidence that dietary phase 2 enzymes decrease oxidative st ress. It is likely that a diet containing phase 2 enzyme inducers may ameli orate or even prevent diseases that have a prominent inflammatory component to them. Research should be directed into the potential therapeutic effect s of dietary phase 2 enzyme inducers in ameliorating diseases with an under lying oxidative stress and inflammatory component to them.