What is Quercetin? How Quercetin Enhances Human Health
Quercetin is a natural compound found in foods and beverages such as fruits, vegetables and wines. It occurs in many plants where it serves as a pigment and helps to protect the plant from environmental stressors. Humans also ingest small amounts of quercetin through their diets and has been associated with a variety of health benefits.
The Many Benefits of Quercetin: There are many biological processes in which quercetin plays a role. It has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, help lower cholesterol levels and improve the cardiovascular system, enhance immune function and promote healthy cognitive function. }
1 Quercetin Reduces Inflammation: One way quercetin reduces inflammation is by inhibiting TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) production, which increases inflammation responses of macrophages during an immune response.
2 Quercetin Increases Gene Expression for Antioxidant Enzymes: Dietary supplementation with quercetin enhances antioxidant enzyme gene expression in humans. The combination of phytochemicals, including quercetin, have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and damage at the cellular levels.
3 Quercetin May Help Lower Cholesterol: Studies have also suggested that the benefits of quercetin may come from its ability to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, which is an enzyme involved with cholesterol production. By inhibiting this enzyme, quercetin could help lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels in individuals who are already suffering from high cholesterol.
4 Quercetin Promotes Healthy Cardiovascular Health: Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in North America and quercetin has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. One way quercetin may help to protect the cardiovascular system is by inhibiting LDL oxidation.
5 Quercetin Enhances Immune Function: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of quercetin also make it an immune-boosting agent. It can help to improve natural killer cell activity, increase IgA production and enhance the activity of certain immune cells.
6 Quercetin Supports Healthy Cognitive Function: Oxidative stress is known to play a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The antioxidants present in quercetin can help to protect the brain from oxidative damage and improve cognitive function.
7 Quercetin Prevents Cancer: In addition to improving immune function and supporting healthy cardiovascular health, quercetin may also help prevent cancer. Studies have shown that quercetin can inhibit cell growth and reduce the risk of certain types of cancers such as those of the breast, pancreas, and prostate gland.
8 Quercetin's Many Forms and Sources: Quercetin occurs in many different forms, depending on the plant it is found in. It can be a pigment, flavonoid, or glycoside and is present in fruits, vegetables, and beverages. The amount of quercetin present also varies, depending on the food.
9 How to Use Quercetin in Your Diet: Quercetin is easily found in the diet. Including more foods with quercetin in your diet can be a great way to boost your overall health. It is naturally present in many fruits and vegetables, but can also be added to other foods or beverages through processing or extraction methods.
10 How Much Quercetin Should You Eat?: The recommended daily dosage of quercetin for adults varies depending on age, gender, pregnancy status etc., so it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before adding quercetin to your diet. Please consult your pharmacist for more information on safe dosages based on your medical condition and the medications you are currently taking.
11 When to Avoid Quercetin: Some individuals should avoid consuming quercetin due to a pre-existing medical condition. If you are taking medications that could interact with quercetin, such as blood thinners or steroids, please speak with your health care provider before including this phytochemical in your diet.
If you're looking for a way to boost your overall health, adding quercetin to your diet may be the answer. This powerful phytochemical can be found in many different forms in fruits, vegetables and beverages and has been associated with a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, increasing antioxidant enzyme gene expression, helping to lower cholesterol levels, promoting healthy cardiovascular health, enhancing immune function and preventing cancer. Speak with your pharmacist to learn more about safe dosages and when to avoid quercetin. Adding this phytochemical to your diet is an easy way to improve your overall health!
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