What Is Quercetin?
Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found in red grapes, red apples, green tea, onions, and broccoli and belongs to a class of compounds called bioflavenoids, pigments found in thousands of plants. Quercetin is benefecial in reducing bladder irritation from various causes and improves the quality and duration of sleep for patients. Quercetin is also believed to enhance visual performance, and has been claimed to improve upper respiratory symptoms in allergies and colds. The effect is thought to be the result of a stabilizing effect on the break-up of certain infection-fighting cells called mast cells. These cells contain histamine, which produces many of the symptoms that we associate with colds and allergies. In the presence of a chemical or biological irritant, these cells rupture and release their contents into the circulation at the site of irritation, producing pain, swelling, and increased secretion of fluids in the area. Quercetin is believed to prevent the rupture of the cell walls of these inflammatory mast cells.
Now, for the first time, a placebo-controlled study has demonstrated the beneficial effects of a natural antioxidant on reducing illness. Dr. David Neiman, a professor at Appalachian State University’s Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, conducted a 5 week study with 40 athletes to test the effects of quercetin on the immune system under conditions of physical stress. Half of the study group received 1,000 mg of quercetin daily, and half received placebo. Three weeks into the study, the athletes rode a bicycle three hours a day for three days to the point of exhaustion. After the extreme exercise period, 45 percent of the placebo group reported illness, versus only 5 percent of the quercetin group. Furthermore, an alertness test was given to both groups after the exercise period, and there was a significant performance difference between the groups, with the quercetin group able to maintain the ability to react to the alertness tests when exhausted.
This study specifically proves quercetin’s beneficial effect on health under conditions of physical stress. Dr. Nieman plans further studies in an attempt to define the benefits of quercetin under conditions of mental stress as well. Fibromyalgia and CFIDS are characterized by unstable and overreactive immune responses, and the potential benefits for most of our patients through Quercetin are clear.
May 18th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I would like to know who could can use querctin? And where it is a available?