Health Benefits Of Quercetin

HEALTH BENEFITS OF QUERCETIN

Quercetin is a pigment present in plants. It is also known as a flavonoid. It is found in many food items like apples, onions, berries, green tea, Ginkgo Biloba, red wine, and in many plants. Quercetin is used as medicine. It is present in many fruits, grains, and vegetables. Quercetin pigment is made up of flavonoids. It is used to treat many diseases and provide many health benefits such as decrease the risks of cancer, degenerative brain disease, and heart disorders. The flavonoids present in quercetin can act as antioxidants inside the human body. These are chemical compounds that can neutralize free radicals by binding to them.

What is Quercetin?

Quercetin is a plant-derived aglycone type of flavonoid glycosides. It is used as nutritional supplements and treats many diseases. Its chemical formula is C15H10O7. It is found in:

• Radish leaves
• Blueberry
• Plums
• Capers
• Red onions
• Red wine
• Citrus fruits

Health benefits of the quercetin

1. Help in reduction of inflammation:

The results of many experiments show that quercetin reduces inflammation to a high level. Quercetin binds up with free radicals. Free radical damage to our cells and causes many serious diseases. The experiments demonstrated that greater availability of free radicals in the body activates the genes for the promotion of inflammation. Thus, the greater availability of free radicals increased inflammatory response in the body.

As we know, less inflammation helps the body to heal from infections. Still, a more significant amount of swelling can cause many dangerous diseases such as cancer, kidney, and heart diseases. An experiment conducted to see the effect of quercetin on the reduction of inflammation. The test was held on the 50 women who have rheumatoid arthritis. These women were given 500mg of quercetin for eight weeks. The result shows that there a significant reduction in stiffness, after activity pain, and morning pain in those women.

The quercetin reduces the producers of inflammation cells in the human body, also lowers tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Quercetin reduces the producer of inflammation in those fifty women more quickly as compared to those who intake a placebo. The results of the experiment emphasize the impact of quercetin on the reduction of inflammation.

The right dosing of quercetin depends on many factors, such as a person’s age, conditions, and health. There is not enough information about the appropriate dosing of quercetin at the time. One should intake the quercetin after recommendation by a doctor. Everyone should try to take it in low doses, such as in 500mg daily. Its high doses can be harmful. Quercetin supplements are safe most people when taken through the mouth for short term like 4-6 months.

2. Help in the reduction of blood pressure:

It has been found out that quercetin supplement also reduces the level of blood pressure in humans. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of death in many developed countries. In America, one person in 3 is affected by blood pressure. It is also the leading cause of death in adults in America. High blood pressure also causes many heart diseases. In many types of research, it has been found that quercetin has a compound that has a relaxing effect on vessels of blood.

Mice were given doses of quercetin daily for five weeks. Their lower pressure (systolic) drops to 18 per cent, and upper strength (diastolic) reduces up to 23 per cent. Another experiment conducted on humans. The 550 patients were given 500mg of quercetin daily for three months. The supplements reduced the daily diastolic pressure by an average of 2.5 mm Hg.

While systolic pressure drops to 5.9 mm Hg in those patients. However, the results of these were auspicious, but there should be more researches conducted to understand the impact of quercetin on high blood pressure fully. By more research, we will know how safe it is for high blood pressure patients.

3. Help in decreasing the allergy symptoms:

It many types of research on mice; it has been shown that quercetin has the potential to ease the allergy symptoms that produced due to inflammation. The test tube experiment demonstrated that it could block the enzymes that cause inflammation.  

Experiments conducted on animal’s shows that it can suppress the production of chemical like histamine that promotes inflammation in the body. In one test, it was found out quercetin supplements decreased the anaphylactic reaction related to peanuts in mice. However, there is still a need for more kinds of research on the impact of quercetin on the reduction of allergy-related symptoms.

 If quercetin proved helpful in decreasing the allergy symptoms, then it will be very beneficial. Many people are suffering from different kinds of allergies due to inflammation. If quercetin supplements can Inflammation, then it should also reduce allergy symptoms.  It has also been found out quercetin is an antihistamine because it blocks the secretion of histamine from cells. Due to these anti-allergic properties, quercetin could help in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis.

4. Help in lowering the risk of chronic brain disorders:

The results of many kinds of research demonstrated that quercetin help in reducing the risk of chronic brain disorders. Quercetin has antioxidant properties that can protect humans against degenerative brain diseases. It can protect humans from dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

An experiment conducted on mice for understanding the effect of quercetin supplementation on Alzheimer's disease. The mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease were given quercetin injections every three days for four months. The result of the experiment shows that doses have decreased several producers of Alzheimer's, and after the operation, mice show improvement in learning skills. In other research on mice, the diet rich with quercetin reversed markers of Alzheimer's.

The result also indicates that quercetin injections improved the overall brain functions in mice during their late stage of Alzheimer's. But when the research conducted on humans, the rich diet of quercetin shows very little or no effect at all in improvement in middle stage Alzheimer's. However, it has been found out that coffee can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Coffee is a beverage popular in many developed and underdeveloped countries.

The research shows that coffee contains a small amount of quercetin in it. Quercetin in coffee has the potential to reduce the risks of Alzheimer's diseases in humans, not the caffeine (the main component of coffee). There is still a need for much research to see the positive effect of quercetin supplements in lowering the risk of brain disorders. It is needed that research should be conducted on humans to understand the impact of quercetin on degenerative brain disorders.

5. Anticancer effects of quercetin:

As quercetin have antioxidant properties. So it could have anti-cancer effects. It can help in cancer-fighting properties. It has been found out in the research that quercetin can cause necrosis. Necrosis is the death of cells. It is a beneficial body as it depresses the further growth of the body and controls the number of cells in the body.

The results of experiments conducted in test tubes and animals demonstrated that quercetin could reduce the growth of cells and cause the death of cells in prostate cancer cells. A study was conducted on five patient’s sufferings for first stage bladder cancer. They were given quercetin supplements two times a day for five months. Patients show quick recovery from cancer as compared to those patients who received a placebo.

In many animal studies and test tubes experiments, it has been found out that quercetin also suppresses cell growth and helpful in treating many cancers such as in lung, adrenal, blood, lymphoid, bladder, ovarian, colon, liver, and breast cancer. Quercetin also reduces the pain causes through radiotherapy in patients suffering from the disease. It can be used as an anti-cancer drug. It has a promising effect on cancer, producing cells.

6. Help in the prevention of neurological diseases:

It has been found out as a result of much research that quercetin is helpful in the treatment of neurological disorders. Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease can be prevented by the use of quercetin supplements or eating food items that contain quercetin in them. Many neurological disorders occur due to oxidative stress.

The leading cause of oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals in the body. Free radicals can damage our brain cells and increase the growth of cancerous cells. Quercetin has antioxidant properties. Due to antioxidants properties, it can help in fighting against free radicals. It does not destroy the free radicals but in fact, quercetin bind with them and reduced the effect of free radical on brain cells. The significant impact of quercetin on reducing the activity of free radicals was found out by experiments conducted on mice.

Tests conducted on mixed shows that quercetin protects the body against oxidative stress. It was also demonstrated that it could also reduce the toxic effect of certain dangerous metals on the nervous system.

7. Help in the prevention of infections:

The result of many kinds of research indicates that quercetin can prevent the body against disease. Quercetin has antibacterial properties. These properties are effective against illnesses caused by bacteria. So quercetin can use in the treatment of bacterial infection. Every person must eat a diet rich with quercetin to protect the body against diseases. Quercetin is effective against bacteria that cause disease in the skin, urinary system stomach, respiratory system, and intestines. In research conducted on 80 people were provided with a diet rich with quercetin. Those people show on infection caused in their body during intake of quercetin rich diet.

It has also been found out that quercetin can also use against viruses. It can be used in the treatment of mang viruses such as Japanese encephalitis, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and herpes simplex virus. In an experiment conducted on rats, quercetin show effective results against the herpes virus. It can be used in fighting against the infection. There is a need for more research to use against viruses.

8. Help in fighting against free radicals:

Free radicals have a severe effect on body cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules present inside the body. Their presence in the body can increase the risk of many diseases and cause quick ageing. It is essential for the proper functioning of the body that free radicals should bind to some compounds so they can become stable compounds. The many kinds of research indicate that quercetin has antioxidant properties. These antioxidant properties help to protect the body from free radicals.

Every human must maintain a healthy lifestyle so that in the body, there is no imbalance of free radicals. Free radicals increase in the body due to unhealthy activities. The factors which contribute to increasing the number of free radicals in the collection are greenhouse gases, pollution, radiations, cigarette smoking, and chemical toxins. In many studies, it has been proved that quercetin is a more powerful antioxidant as compared to beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

9. Enhance athletic performance:

Fitness is one of the main issues of the modern world. Everyone wants to be fit physically and mentally. Athletes do exercises most time of the day to remains provide. But they need the energy to exercise for like 8 hours a day. For gaining power, they eat a fatty diet. They also used supplements to enhance their exercise capability. According to a study of 2011, quercetin is better than a placebo for improving athletic performance.

The result of research indicates that when people injected with quercetin, their oxygen supply remains maximum during physical activity. The study was conducted on 50 male athletes in 2013. The result shows that those who intake quercetin injection for three years shows improvement in the total mass of full-body water, total energy expenditure, lean body mass, and basal metabolic rate.

10. Help in the prevention of heart diseases:

Heart diseases are one of the primary reasons for deaths in the world. Almost every two people out of five are suffering from heart diseases.  Diet plays an essential role in the prevention of the risk of heart disease. A high intake of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases because fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are components of quercetin. Quercetin improves the health of cells of blood vessels.

It promotes the smooth flow of blood across the arteries in the body. So the person taking a diet containing quercetin has fewer chances of heart disease. The result also indicates that quercetin injections improved the overall brain functions in mice during their late stage of Alzheimer's. But when the research conducted on humans, the rich diet of quercetin shows very little or no effect at all in improvement in middle stage Alzheimer's.

However, has been found out that coffee can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Coffee is a beverage popular in many developed and underdeveloped countries. The research shows that coffee contains a small amount of quercetin in it. Quercetin in coffee has the potential to reduce the risks of Alzheimer's diseases in humans, not the caffeine (the main component of coffee). There is still a need for much research to see the positive effect of quercetin supplements in lowering the risk of brain disorders.

Side effects of quercetin:

Some of the side effects of quercetin can be:

• Tingling sensations
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Kidney damage (if high doses are taken)
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Flushing
• Difficulty in breathing

Quercetin is present in many fruits and vegetables. It is very healthy for the body when taken as part of a nutritious and balanced diet. Quercetin supplements also have been approved by the US FDA (United States Food and drug administration). Quercetin shows side effects in those patients who overdose it, such as 1200 mg per day. It can also interact with some other medicines, so people should consult with a doctor before taking it.

Quercetin supplements are safe most people when taken through the mouth for short term like 4-6 months. Quercetin proved reliable when taken in 500mg twice a day for one year. The safety of high doses and long term use of quercetin is not known yet. Quercetin also proved safe when given intravenously. Quercetin should give in 722mg by intravenously. The more significant amount given intravenously could be unsafe.

Precautions and tips:

• It is recommended that quercetin should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There is no reliable research about the use of quercetin during pregnancy or breastfeeding. So it should be avoided during pregnancy.
• If someone is already suffering from kidney problems, then it should avoid the use of quercetin. Quercetin can make the kidney problem worse.
• Although quercetin has more sound effects, still the supplements of quercetin should not be taken without the recommendation of doctors.
• Quercetin is present in food items. So, if one is suffering from kidney problems, he/ she should consult the nutrition for the suggestion of a diet plan.
• A high dose of quercetin hurts the body, so; quercetin supplements should be taken in less amount. It has been found out as a result of much research that quercetin is helpful in the treatment of neurological disorders. Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease can be prevented by the use of quercetin supplements or eating food items that contain quercetin in them. Many neurological disorders occur due to oxidative stress. The leading cause of oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals in the body.
• Quercetin is present in food items, so there is no need to take the supplements of quercetin. If the doctor suggests intaking of quercetin supplement, then one should intake it.

Experiments conducted on animal’s shows that it can suppress the production of chemical like histamine that promotes inflammation in the body. In one test, it was found out quercetin supplements decreased the anaphylactic reaction related to peanuts in mice.

However, there is still a need for more kinds of research on the impact of quercetin on the reduction of allergy-related symptoms. If quercetin proved helpful in decreasing the allergy symptoms, then it will be very beneficial. Many people are suffering from different kinds of allergies due to inflammation. If quercetin supplements can, swelling, then it should also reduce allergy symptoms.  It has also been found out quercetin is an antihistamine because it blocks the secretion of histamine from cells.

Dosing of quercetin:

The right dosing of quercetin depends on many factors, such as a person 's age, conditions, and health. There is not enough information about the appropriate dosing of quercetin at the time. One should intake the quercetin after recommendation by a doctor. Everyone should try to take it in low doses, such as in 500mg daily. Its high doses can be harmful. Quercetin supplements are safe most people when born through the mouth for short term like 4-6 months.

Quercetin proved reliable when taken in 500mg twice a day for one year. The safety of high doses and long term use of quercetin is not known yet. Quercetin also proved safe when given intravenously. Quercetin should give in 722mg by intravenously. The more significant amount given intravenously could be unsafe. Many neurological disorders occur due to oxidative stress. The leading cause of oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals in the body.

Free radicals can damage our brain cells and increase the growth of cancerous cells. Quercetin has antioxidant properties. Due to antioxidants properties, it can help in fighting against free radicals. It does not destroy the free radicals but in fact, quercetin bind with them and reduced the effect of free radical on brain cells.

Conclusion

Quercetin is a compound made up of flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. It has many benefits. People can intake it through the diet. It can be used to treat many diseases such as inflammation, heart disease, cancer, allergy symptoms, and infections. Many kinds of research were conducted on animals to check the health benefits of quercetin on humans. Quercetin proved beneficial for the treatment and prevention of many diseases. It also shows fewer side effects. The intake of small doses of quercetin does not cause any harm to the body. Quercetin is proved safe by the food and drug administration authority of the US. Thus, the greater availability of free radicals increased inflammatory response in the body. As we know, less inflammation helps the body to heal from infections. Still, a more significant amount of swelling can cause many dangerous diseases such as cancer, kidney, and heart diseases. An experiment conducted to see the effect of quercetin on the reduction of inflammation. The test was held on the 50 women who have rheumatoid arthritis. These women were given 500mg of quercetin for eight weeks. The result shows that there a significant reduction in stiffness, after activity pain, and morning pain in those women. The quercetin reduces the producers of inflammation cells in the human body, also lowers tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6.  Quercetin reduces the producer of inflammation in those fifty women more quickly as compared to those who intake a placebo. The results of the experiment emphasize the impact of quercetin on the reduction of inflammation.