Researchers are investigating two over-the-counter nutritional supplements to find out whether the active ingredients (sulforaphane from broccoli and curcumin from the spice turmeric) can protect the skin from damage caused by aging and UV irradiation.
Eligible volunteers are healthy men and women ages 18 to 70 who have a light skin type (always burn, never or rarely tan) and are nonsmokers and do not use tobacco in any way. Other qualifications are no recent or current antibiotic use and no regular use of certain supplements or medications. Participation includes 10 days of Crucera-SGSTM and/or Meriva-SF supplements, three weeks of a cruciferous-free diet (no vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc., or condiments such as mustard, horseradish, or wasabi), two sets of urine collections and two blood draws, up to six punch biopsies, and two sets of 10 irradiated spots on your back the size of a nickel, with measurements taken for three days each time.
Eight study visits to JHMI campus are required; most are very brief. Compensation is $300.
If interested, contact the researchers by email skim424@jhmi.edu or phone 410-502-7546.
