Add a quercetin supplement to a regimen only after a thorough review of medication interactions…
Quercetin is not new, but this flavonoid has gained some mainstream and research interest lately. Clinical trials are underway to research how the quercetin supplement affects such conditions as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), COPD, and anti-aging to preventing cancer.
So why should you pay attention for your patients? The market for quercetin supplements continues to grow, with a 74% increase in sales from 2019-20. A majority of consumers cite “overall health and wellness” as well as “cardiovascular health” as their reason for adding quercetin to their supplement regimen.
Most of the flavonoid we eat comes from quercetin in the form of fruits and vegetables. It can be found in more than 20 plant species including: onions, capers, cranberries, apples, grapes, red wine, black and green tea, kale, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, pepper, coriander, fennel, dill and radish.
Quercetin in supplement form
“It is also available as a supplement in capsule form, as well as a tincture, powder, gummies, or even IV,” writes Emilia Benton for Women’s Health. “Quercetin is also commonly found as a supplement combined with the enzyme bromelain, which is normally found in pineapple, since it synergistically helps increase the absorption and bioavailability of quercetin.”
Quercetin has anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and antioxidant properties, playing a part in overall health:
- Quercetin stimulates antioxidants, eliminates free radicals, and uses other antioxidants such as vitamin C to return to its original form. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress to our bodies and allow chronic disease to take hold.
- It is believed to chelate iron in our bodies.
- It can lower lipid levels in the blood.
- It could potentially be a treatment for cancer. It slows the progression of some cancers including prostate cancer by blocking the cancer cell’s ability to form new blood vessels.
- Quercetin supplement has been proven to reduce the incidence of asthma.
- It is a natural antihistamine and reduces triggers to allergies.
- It is believed to help with hypertension.
- It may help repair a leaky gut.
- It can improve blood circulation and protect cells from damage.
- Quercetin may help with rheumatoid arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Flavonoids including quercetin are antihypertensive, dilating the blood vessels to reduce blood pressure, and improving vascular function. It can slow the collecting of atherosclerotic plaque. Studies show that even small doses of quercetin can lower the risk of cardiovascular episodes.
- The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of quercetin has antioxidant properties that could prevent amyloid plaques, helping to improve neurological function.
- Quercetin suppresses the forming of adipose tissue.
- It has been found in some studies to reduce cholesterol levels in obese patients, and raise HDL levels.
Are quercetin supplements safe?
Although quercetin is available in many fruits and vegetables, some believe the amounts we ingest are not enough to improve our overall health.
Recommended doses of quercetin supplement are 500 mg each day, with 1,000 mg daily appearing to be safe up to 12 weeks. But long-term high dosing has not been studied or assessed. Supplements could interact with other medications, such as quinolone antibiotics, cyclosporin, verapamil, or amiodarone.
Add a quercetin supplement to a regimen only after a thorough review of medication interactions and/or discussion with a doctor.
“Diet plans consisting of flavonoids such as quercetin have positive health benefits, especially on the heart, writes Magdy Badran, MD. “Flavonoids have been proven to be active against hypertension, inflammation, diabetes and vascular diseases. Quercetin exhibits significant heart related benefits as regulation of lipid metabolism, endothelium-independent vasodilator effects, reduction of adhesion molecules and other inflammatory markers, the protective effect on nitric oxide and endothelial function under conditions of oxidative stress, prevention of neuronal oxidative and inflammatory damage and platelet antiaggregant effects.”
Quercetin has emerged as a trending topic in social media, for good reason. Research continues on just how many ways this flavonoid is linked to better brain health, heart health, and improved immune systems.
Resources:
https://qnlabs.com/blog/what-is-quercetin.html
https://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=3012
https://dataintelo.com/report/quercetin-market/
https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/131/table-of-contents/hg131-mkrpt/
