What Will Quercetin Do For Me?

 

The Importance of Quercetin - A Bioactive Flavonoid

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables such as elderberries, red and white onions, cranberries, kale, blueberries, and red apples. Nature provides fruits and vegetables with different micro-nutrients that protect plants from sun damage and in turn pass that protection on to us. Quercetin is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants play an important role in fighting free radical cell damage, the effects of aging, and inflammation. Quercetin dihydrate, the form used in Mirac, is a more effective and highly concentrated form of the compound. Quercetin serves a variety of important health benefits and has been used successfully as an anti-viral inhibitor, cholesterol-lowering, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory in cardiovascular complications, degenerative brain disorders, diabetes, and chronic inflammatory responses from arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and asthma. This bioactive flavonoid is a primary tool for immune health.

​

Anti-Viral Inhibitor

Researchers have determined that quercetin’s antiviral activity is a result of a variety of multiple actions including reducing the ability of a virus to infect cells, inhibiting the ability of infected cells to replicate and reproduce, and reducing the resistance of infected cells to pharmaceutical drug therapy. Quercetin’s Antiviral and Immune-Boosting Activity  The following study show quercetin as a viral therapeutic against influenza. Quercetin as an Antiviral Agent Inhibits Influenza A Virus (IAV) Entry

​

Fights Free Radical Cell Damage

Quercetin is a potent antioxidant. More powerful than vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta carotene. Antioxidants have the ability to bind to and neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cellular damage when their numbers become too high. Damage caused by free radicals is linked to aging and numerous chronic conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. As the body ages, it loses its ability to fight the effects of free radicals. The result is more free radicals, more oxidative stress, and more damage to cells. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that helps keep free radicals in check by preventing free radicals from taking electrons and causing damage.

 

Aging Effects

Quercetin helps slow the aging progress by lessening the effects of oxidative stress on the body. Oxidative stress takes place in all of us but is increased by a poor diet, high stress, lack of sleep, and exposure to chemical toxins. Quercetin plays a role in regulating the immune system’s response to outside stressors through cell signaling pathways called kinases and phosphatases, two types of enzyme and membrane proteins needed for proper cellular function. The Role of Quercetin, Flavonols and Flavones in Modulating Inflammatory Cell Function

​

Bacterial Infections

Quercetin has antibacterial properties to inhibit bacterial infections. David Rakel, M.D. writes in his book "Integrative Medicine," Infections cause inflammation by activating your immune system, and inflammation is a part of any immune reaction. Because of its antibacterial effects, Quercetin helps reduce both infection and inflammation. 

​

Help Prevent Neurological Disease

Quercetin may help to prevent neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Oxidative stress contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance of free radicals in the body. The antioxidant properties of quercetin may help fight free radicals. Research on rats showed that quercetin could protect against oxidative stress. It also showed quercetin could protect against the toxic effect of certain metals on the nervous system. Mechanisms of Neuroprotection by Quercetin: Counteracting Oxidative Stress and More

​

Reducing The Risk of Heart Disease

Diet plays an essential role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and strokes. Because fruit and vegetables contain flavonoids, eating more of them can reduce the risk of these diseases. Because of Quercetin's ability to lower inflammation and oxidative stress, quercetin seems to be beneficial for people with heart and blood vessel-related disorders.

​

Reduce Inflammation

Flavonoids, (aka bioflavonoids) including quercetin, are important anti-inflammatories because they act as antioxidants, which means they literally fight the natural process of “oxidation” that takes place over time as we age. Quercetin can help stop damaging particles in the body known as free radicals, which negatively impact how cells work, including damaging cell membranes, increasing cell mutations, and causing healthy cells to die. Research shows that inflammation is the root of most diseases, including heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, some mental disorders, and autoimmune states. Quercetin has been used to reduce inflammation in prostate conditions for its anti-inflammatory and anti-testosterone effects, according to Jeannette Potts, M.D., in her book "Genitourinary Pain and Inflammation: Diagnosis and Management." The antioxidant decreases levels of inflammatory prostaglandins and increases levels of prostatic endorphins, natural pain-relieving molecules. Potts recommends Quercetin doses of 500mg twice per day combined with the anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain. 

​

Cataracts

A lifetime of unprotected sun exposure can damage the eyes as well as the skin. It happens so gradually that many people aren't aware they're developing cataracts. Ultraviolet (UV) rays, particularly the burning UVB rays, damage proteins in the lens of the eye, causing them to clump together into a whitish cloud. Cigarette smoking and a deficiency in antioxidant vitamins are other major causes of cataracts. Research indicates that Quercetin blocks an enzyme that leads to the accumulation of sorbitol, a type of sugar that contributes to cataract formation.

​

COPD

Quercetin prevented the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, COPD, in a study conducted at the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan. In the study, researchers gave laboratory animals 0.5 milligrams per day for 10 days and noted improved lung elasticity, decreased oxidation and decreased inflammation. Quercitin also decreased levels of tissue-damaging enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases. The study was published in the September 2010 issue of the journal "Respiratory Research." 

Side Effects and Warnings

Side effects of Quercetin are rare but may include headache or upset stomach, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Avoid Quercetin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease. Quercetin can interfere with some prescription drugs. Consult your doctor before using Quercetin with your current medications. 

​