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Sunday 13 March 2016

What Is Quercetin?

Although not an essential nutrient, quercetin is a substance found in some fruits and vegetables that may provide important antioxidant effects. You can take quercetin supplements to help in treating a wide variety of health conditions, such as allergies, heart disease, prostatitis and certain eye conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking quercetin tablets or capsules to discuss proper dosage and any potential health risks or interactions.
What Is Quercetin?

Person holding a glass of red wine to the sky Photo Credit amana productions inc./amana images/Getty Images

Description

Quercetin is a water-soluble substance that gives certain fruits and vegetables their coloring, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. These plant-based pigments are called bioflavonoids. Quercetin is found in small doses in beans and leafy green vegetables, but in larger amounts in onions, apples, grapefruits, red wine, buckwheat, green tea and black tea.

Benefits

Quercetin supplements may help to treat allergies, inflammation and cardiovascular diseases, as well as potentially prevent and treat cancer, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Quercetin may also help to treat eczema, asthma, hives, prostatitis and interstitial cystitis. Some medical evidence indicates that taking quercetin supplements can help treat cataracts, certain childhood diseases, gout, edema, peptic ulcers, diabetes and retinopathy, notes the University of Michigan Health System. You can take the typical dosage of 200 to 500 milligrams of quercetin two or three times daily. For therapeutic uses, you must take a supplement, because vegetables and fruits contain only small amounts of quercetin.

Function

Quercetin contains bioflavonoids, which provide the antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals in the body. Quercetin’s bioflavonoids also suppress your body’s histamine and leukotriene production, which provide the anti-inflammatory actions and allergic reaction-fighting effects. The major constituents in quercetin may also inhibit cholesterol absorption, as well as provide antiviral and anticancer actions.

Medical Evidence

Quercetin is shown effective against numerous conditions. According to the University of Michigan Health System, studies prove quercetin's ability to fight and help treat prostatitis, allergies, asthma, heart disease, cataracts, viral infections, hay fever, gout and type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is also shown to enhance athletic performance and treat bronchial infections that can follow intensive exercise.

Warnings

If you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t take quercetin supplements due to the potential risk of infant leukemia and possible chromosomal mutations. Also, if your doctor is conducting a test to diagnose the rare but deadly condition called neuroblastoma, keep in mind that taking quercetin supplements may cause a falsely positive test result due to their effects on homovanillic acid levels in your blood and urine.
www.livestrong.com

1 comment:

  1. Quercetin helps stabilize mast cells and reduce histamine levels. In addition, quercetin helps reduce the eosinophil response and supports histamine balance. You can alleviate the discomfort and pain associated with allergies by addressing both these problems. Moreover, it has minimal side effects and is available online. You can try checking it out at Quercetin Australia.

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