'Quercetin – All-Round and Seasonal Support Against Pesky Pollen', by Natural Factors

It’s the perfect time of year to stock up on quercetin. Why? Because this feisty bioflavonoid antioxidant is recognized for a range of benefits, including support for allergy relief and immune function, and as an antioxidant for all-round health. Destined to be a natural medicine cabinet staple, quercetin has been shown to replenish vitamin C and support immune function both directly and indirectly. [5] 

A 2016 review found that quercetin had anti-allergic properties and antiviral activity.[1] Quercetin helps support balance in the immune system, including helping with the production of antibodies to fight infection. Quercetin also appears to help the body respond appropriately to potential allergens and offers support against allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies, and other allergies. [1, 2, 3]

Some early research also suggests that quercetin can make it harder for viruses to infect the body and spread. [4, 5]

Like other bioflavonoids, quercetin possesses strong antioxidant activity, which helps fight the negative symptoms of aging. This antioxidant activity also helps support cardiovascular health as quercetin is used in herbal medicine as a capillary protectant, meaning it helps look after small blood vessels.

 

What is quercetin and where can you get it?

Quercetin is naturally present in fresh apples and onions, as well as in other fruits and vegetables. It is a lipid-soluble, natural antioxidant and bioflavonoid – a type of plant pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their bright colours. Bioflavonoids like quercetin are sometimes called vitamin P because they have vitamin-like properties. Quercetin also works well with vitamin C and other nutrients, with evidence of a synergistic antiviral action between the two. Vitamin C can “recycle” quercetin, increasing its efficacy, for instance, and quercetin and other bioflavonoids slow the breakdown of vitamin C and help the body to use vitamin C more effectively. [5]

Quercetin is also fat soluble, meaning that it is great at helping protect lipid membranes where vitamin C, which is water soluble, can’t reach. As a lipid-soluble nutrient, though, quercetin can be hard to absorb, especially if you’re eating a low-fat diet. This means that the clinical efficacy of quercetin is quite limited, unless care is taken to provide quercetin in an absorbable form.

 

Quercetin LipoMicel Matrix – highly absorbable quercetin for allergy and immune support

Natural Factors Quercetin LipoMicel Matrix is an advanced formula featuring the immune-supporting antioxidant quercetin. This innovative supplement is created using a unique patent-pending technology, which overcomes the problem of low quercetin bioavailability by providing a 10-times higher absorption* than standard forms.

LipoMicel technology creates a liquid micelle matrix that disperses quercetin into tiny micro-droplets that enhance absorption. This supplement provides 250 mg of quercetin in each easy-to-swallow liquid softgel, and is a great choice for anyone suffering from conditions related to constricted blood vessels or who is looking for additional immune and antioxidant support.

*Individual results may vary.

 

By Leigh Matthews, from Natural Factors

 

Check out Natural Factors C Extra + Quercetin, great for Immune Support. 

 

Resources

  1. Mlcek J, Jurikova T, Skrovankova S, et al. Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2016; 21(5):623.
  2. Thornhill SM & Kelly AM. Natural treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Altern Med Rev: a journal of clinical therapeutic. 2000; 5(5):448-54.
  3. Juríková T, Mlček J, Sochor J, et al. Polyphenols and their mechanism of action in allergic immune response. Glob J Allergy. 2015; 1:037-9.
  4. Wu W, Li R, Li X, et al. Quercetin as an Antiviral Agent Inhibits Influenza A Virus (IAV) Entry. Viruses. 2015; 8(1):6.
  5. Colunga Biancatelli R, Berrill M, Catravas JD & Marik PE. Quercetin and Vitamin C: An Experimental, Synergistic Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Related Disease (COVID-19). Front Immunol. 2020; 11:1451.

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