How Quercitin Can Help the Body Naturally

Quercitin is a phytochemical known as a bioflavonoid. They are plant substances, closely linked to vitamin C, that give many fruits and vegetables their hues of red, blue and yellow through tiny colored crystals. There are many known bioflavonoids that are beneficial and researchers are learning more about them everyday. For example, rutin along with quercitin has been used in other countries to treat hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Quercitin is a bioflavonoid, which is showing promise to fight free radicals in the body and eliminate the damage they cause. Bioflavonoids are found in food and these foods help the body heal, but sometimes a supplement is necessary to get the amount that is needed for its anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.

Using Quercitin to help allergies and asthma

Quercitin can be a potent inhibitor of histamine release, which is known to cause the symptoms of allergies and asthma. When you hear the statement that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," this can relate to how quercitin, which is found in apples helps to alleviate the sneezes, runny nose and congestion that makes allergies and asthma a nuisance. Other foods that are quercitin-rich are onions, red wine, tea, leafy green vegetables and fruits that are in the citrus family. I personally use quercitin to give me antihistamine properties, although this bioflavonoid will not give you immediate relief like an allergy pill, but after 3-4 weeks it started to take effect and I eliminated the medication. I also eat vitamin C foods and pineapples, which contain the enzyme bromelain, which helps the absorption of quercitin in the body.

Quercitin is a natural remedy for varicose veins

Your legs have valves which open letting the blood flow to the heart and later shut so gravity will not let the blood flow back into the leg. However, if these sensitive valves break, the blood collects in the vein and causes a varicose vein. Veins have different appearances, from a small spider vein to large unsightly veins that swell and ache. Ingesting quercitin will help treat and prevent varicose veins by improving the health of the connective tissues and capillaries. Supplements will act quicker in this situation, taking 500 mg a couple times per day.

Relieving the inflammation of IC and prostatitis

Some women suffer with an inflammatory condition of the bladder called interstitial cystitis. There is bladder pain and urinary urgency without the bacteria that is prevalent with cystitis. There has been studies and research where bioflavonoids, especially quercitin, have helped to relieve these symptoms. There is a product called CystoProtek, which many urologists suggest to women with this problem that contain bioflavoids. Even though they are not sure which specific element does the trick, since it contains quercitin many doctors feel this supplement is helpful. I personally cannot take all the ingredients in this product, so consuming quercitin has helped me with IC.

Men, on the other hand, suffer with inflammation of the prostate, which is called prostatitis. One study conducted showed relief when taking this bioflavonoid supplement versus the placebo.

A possible cancer preventative

Researchers have conveyed that eating a lot of fruits and vegetables is a way to prevent certain types of cancer. Bioflavonoids, including quercitin has been shown in this research to quell the growth of many cancer cells. The cancers studied were breast, ovarian, endometrial, colon, prostate and tumors of the lung.

The bottom line

Quercitin is considered a safe supplement to take with only a few people complaining of headaches and an upset stomach. It's best to stay under a gram a day to prevent side effects. People taking blood thinners, corticosteroids, chemotherapy and other prescription medications should talk with their doctors before supplementing with quercitin. And of course eating the quercitin-rich foods is definitely a way to get this bioflavonoid into your body without any worries.

References:

University of Maryland Medical Center - Quercitin

CystoProtek

Natural News - Quercitin Offers Numerous Health Benefits

More from this contributor:

Aloe: A Miraculous Tonic for the Entire Body

Apricots: The Sweet Way to Get Your Beta-Carotene

How to Live with Unsightly and Annoying Varicose Veins