The Health Benefits of Quercetin Supplementation
Author: Paul Guenther
Quercetin belongs to a group of flavonoids that give many fruits and vegetables their color. Flavonoids such as quercetin are antioxidants. Antioxidant supplements essentially attack damaging particles found in the body - particles known as free radicals. Free radicals can tamper with, damage cell membranes, and even cause cells to die off. Quercetin can help to neutralize free radicals and may reduce much of the damage that they cause.
When taken as a health supplement, quercetin acts as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory compound. These properties have been said to make quercetin a viable option in the fight against heart disease and cancer. A quercetin complex can prevent cells from releasing histamines, and thus, researchers agree that it can be very beneficial in preventing allergies, runny noses, watery eyes, swelling, and hives.
Flavonoids quercetin, resveratrol, and catechins may also help in the fight against heart disease. Quercetin seems to be able to protect against the damage caused by bad cholesterols, and can even prevent death in some cases. It is also interesting to note that people who eat diets high in these flavanoids tend to have lower cholesterol, and less damage to LDL cholesterol in general.
Finally, activated quercetin has also been thought of as a supplement that can prevent cancer. Individuals who eat lots of fruits and vegetables tend to be at lower risk for many types of cancer. Quercetin and other flavonoids have been shown in these studies to inhibit the growth of cancer cells; from breast cancer, to prostate and lung cancer cells.
While quercetin has many potential benefits when taken as a health supplement, it should be understood that more study is needed to show the true interaction between quercetin supplementation and human reaction. What works in the lab, and what has been beneficial to animals, does not always convey effectiveness for humans. More research is necessary before most of these claims can be validated. It is fairly clear, however, that quercetin benefits out weight the negatives (and quercetin side effects are fairly minimal). Always ask your doctor before starting any kind of quercetin supplement regimen.
Typical dosages of quercetin range from 100-1,000mg daily. One should never consume more than 1g on a daily basis without first consulting a physician. For general supplementation, the dosage is typically between 100 and 250mg, twice daily. When taking for interstitial cystitis or chronic prostatitis, 500mg two times daily is recommended. If you are using quercetin for allergies, the best dose is somewhere between 250-600mg, taken as needed. Take your size into account, and use common sense, as always.
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