Quercetin is a common flavonoid found in many fruits and plants. Of the numerous studies published regarding quercetin’s anti-cancer properties, some show how quercetin in and of itself provides significant anti-cancer activity. A number of other studies show how quercetin can be combined with chemo drugs to boost their effectiveness, especially in situations of drug resistance to treatment. (more…)
Inflammation is common, especially when a person is under high stress or in a state of wear and tear for whatever reason. In these situations the circulatory system, including your heart, most copes with an increased inflammatory burden. A new study shows that quercetin can rather dramatically stabilize small blood vessels relating to your veins, helping reduce fluid retention and specifically boost the structural integrity of your heart. (more…)
For two decades, quercetin has claimed nutritional fame as the most potent natural anti-histamine available. Numerous studies have demonstrated that quercetin reduces allergic immune response by modulating inflammatory signals at the gene level. A new animal study demonstrates that a single dose of quercetin can have a potent bronchodilator effect, offering a potential strategy for people with asthma looking for natural ways to help assist them. (more…)
When you think about joint health you want nutrients like hyaluronic acid and chondroitin, anti-inflammatory nutrients that help build up cartilage and prevent joint deterioration. A new study shows that curcumin and quercetin can preserve important joint cartilage. (more…)
Research described online on October 13, 2010 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that the ability of quercetin to reduce inflammation and insulin resistance in human fat cells is equal to or greater than that of resveratrol, a well-known plant compound that has an anti-inflammatory benefit. Quercetin is a flavonol found in plants including apples, onions, capers, lovage and grapes which have known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (more…)
As the seasons start changing, many people become susceptible to allergy symptoms such as itchy or watery eyes, stuffy sinuses and sneezing. Instead of reaching for the pharmaceutical products (which often do more harm than good), why not consider these natural remedies instead? (more…)
From cherry pie to cherry-flavored cough syrup, the cherry is one of America’s most popular fruits. But beyond its sweet — and sometimes sour — flavor, what do cherries have to offer?
If you happened to read any cherry grower’s website around 2004, you would have learned that “cherries may bring pain relief to those who suffer from arthritis or gout, prevent certain cancers, prevent heart attacks, fight and prevent diseases, and prevent cataracts.”
Sounds like quite a miracle fruit. Right? A number of alternative health newsletters agreed and picked up the story: Cherries are a valuable anti-inflammatory, at the very least.
The FDA doesn’t think so. (more…)
In a recent study, mice were given toxins to produce lung damage that mimicked chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. Quercetin1 treatment for 10 days significantly improved the lungs, reducing free radical damage and inflammation. It also upregulated the longevity gene SIRT1—this is the first time quercetin has been shown to activate this gene.
While many current and former smokers wind up with COPD, many others are suffering from excess pollution and various common chemical exposures. When the lungs become a weak spot, they are more susceptible to infections that can linger. It is also more difficult to get oxygen into your body, handicapping health at a fundamental level.
When the researchers blocked SIRT1 activation, quercetin was no longer able to protect the lungs. This is a novel finding and indicates an additional potent mechanism by which quercetin may help extend the survival of stressed cells in your sinuses and lungs.
Byron Richards, CCN