Quercetin information, FAQ and product listing page. This page contains information and frequently asked questions about quercetin as well as a complete list of products containing quercetin.
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What is quercetin and what does it do?
Quercetin is part of a group of plant pigments known as flavonoids. Flavonoids are known as being responsible for the colors of many different fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Quercetin and other flavonoids for that matter are known to provide a variety of health-promoting benefits.
Quercetin acts as antihistamines, which are very useful in reducing allergy symptoms. They also help reduce inflammation that is associated with different forms of arthritis. Quercetin also has a role as an antioxidant that helps combat free radicals, scavenging damaging particles that roam our body and derive from cigarette smoke, pollution, and others. They also occur naturally In the body and have the ability to damage cell membranes and can even cause certain medical conditions like cancer and heart disease.
Quercetin and other antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals and may reduce or possibly even prevent the damage they can cause.
What are the benefits of taking quercetin?
Quercetin gives us a plethora of possible therapeutic uses, particularly dealing with preventing and treating certain conditions. Quercetin also seems to work better when used with bromelain, a digestive enzyme that can be found in pineapples. This is especially true when trying to find allergies and inflammation – so remember that when next spring rolls around.
Allergies and Asthma
Quercetin slows down and can even prevent the production of histamine and other allergic and inflammatory related substances. You may have heard of antihistamines, which combat histamine – a substance that provides you with allergy symptoms like runny noses, hives, swelling, and watery eyes.
Heart Disease
Studies and research performed on animals have found that the flavonoids quercetin, catacehins, and resveratrol (all found in red wine) have the ability to help reduce the risk of plaque buildup on the articles. This can lead to a heart attack and stroke. These flavonids appear to help protect against the damage caused by LDL (the bad cholesterol), preventing death from heart disease. More human-studies are needed however to prove these findings in animals.
Arthritis
Tests performed on animals have also shown that quercetin prevents the type of inflammation that can possibly appear in the joints of those with arthritis. Those with rheumatoid arthritis have reported an improvement in symptoms when switching from a Western diet to a vegan one, which contained a lot of berries, fruits, nuts, vegetables, as well as antioxidants, like quercetin.
Prostate Health
Quercetin may help improve pain, as well other symptoms with men dealing with chronic prostatitis (inflaming of the prostate). Some studies have indicated that quercetin have the ability to prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells in tube tests. However, more studies are needed to show the benefits in men.
Who can benefit from taking quercetin?
Because of the wide-reaching benefits of quercetin, everybody can benefit from quercetin. Men aging that are more susceptible to prostate cancer, as well as both men and women that are aging can benefit due to its positive effects in fighting arthritis.
And due to quercetin’s role in fighting cholesterol and heart disease, if you have had or are currently on a diet of fatty foods, you should especially consider supplementing.
How much quercetin should I take?
As an allergy medication, the recommended adult dosage should be converted downward to account for the child’s weight. Typically, an adult dosage is calculated on the basis of 150 lbs. That means if a child weighs 50 lbs, the correct dose of quercetin for a child would be approximately 1/3 of the dosage the adult would take.
For adults, general supplementation can vary from 100 to 250 mg three times a day. Taken for allergy symptoms, 250 to 600 mg per day is the recommended dosage several times a day. If taken for chronic hives, quercetin should consist of 200 to 400 mg doses taken three times daily, approximately 20 minutes prior to each meal.
The amount of quercetin you take depends on the health condition being treated. Of course, you should always strictly follow the label directions of the supplement you are taking.
Does quercetin have any side effects?
There have been no adverse side effects reported.
References:
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