Dietary Nrf2 activators inhibit atherogenic processes.

Dietary Nrf2 activators increase expression of phase 2 protein genes in cells undergoing oxidative stress resulting in a lowering of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress promotes atherogenic processes through oxidizing low density lipoproteins and promotion of inflammation through activation of nuclear factor kappa B and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Nrf2 activators by decreasing oxidative stress decrease the probability of developing atherosclerotic lesions.