Quercetin: The Super Antioxidant

Quercetin: The Super Antioxidant

Quercetin, Polyphenols and Health

Quercetin is an exciting, hotly researched type of naturally and widely occurring plant compound known as a flavonoid, which themselves are types of polyphenols.1

Polyphenols are phytochemicals consisting of phenolic rings, and in plants are protective against biological and environmental stress2.

Quercetin, perhaps the best researched of these compounds, possesses numerous pharmacological properties, such as being antiviral, anticancer, anti-proliferative, anti-diabetic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and of course, antioxidant1, 2, 7, 13.

When compared with the better known antioxidants, vitamin C and E, the dietary flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin are considered to be much more biologically effective1, 5.

Flavonoids are also important for preventing platelet aggregation and lipid peroxidation, as well as enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis, the latter of which opens up many interesting therapeutic possibilities3, 10.

Excitingly, due to the molecule's lipophilic properties, it can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and exert its protective effects inside the brain1, 6.

Quercetin is used clinically in the treatment of allergies, arthritis, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, hypertension and inflammation, and research is ongoing in many areas, such as for epilepsy, sepsis, protection against neurodegenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, and more1, 6, 7, 12.

Quercetin as an Antioxidant

Oxidative stress is the excessive production of damaging molecules such as reactive oxygen species, eventually resulting in pathologies caused by a dysregulated oxidative-antioxidant balance.

Oxidative stress can contribute to mitochondrial DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, apoptosis (cell death) of cardiac muscle, and intracellular protein denaturation.

Quercetin’s biological structure makes it a potent antioxidant and scavenger of reactive oxygen species, so it can effectively protect our bodies and even our mitochondria against damaging oxidative stress, as well as helping maintain oxidative balance.

It is able to regulate glutathione levels in the body, and has been shown to enhance superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione activity.

How Else Does Quercetin Improve Human Health?

However, quercetin does so much more than just reduce cellular oxidative damage.

For example, quercetin also appears to help modulate autophagy, that holy grail of antiaging, which is our body's self-cleaning process for eliminating damaged cells, with therapeutic benefits.

Quercetin also interacts directly with DNA as shown by many studies, however, it's yet to be elucidated whether it's protecting our DNA from oxidative damage, or perhaps even repairing previous damage.

Recent research shows quercetin has the ability to chelate excess iron from the body, which is not only highly oxidative and potentially DNA damaging, but is also required in large amounts for cancer cell proliferation, thereby adding to its therapeutic potential for a cancer therapy11, 15.

What Are the Most Evidence-Based Applications for Quercetin?

Here are some short summaries of the most recent research compilations on quercetin.

Inflammation: A meta-analysis of randomized control trials in humans found significant reductions in circulating CRP, an inflammatory biomarker, in patients with a diagnosed disease8.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A randomized control trial in women with rheumatoid arthritis showed reduced early morning and after-activity pain, significantly reduced tender joint counts, improved disease activity and general health assessment scores, as well as significantly reduced numbers of patients with active disease in the quercetin group. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha were also significantly reduced in the quercetin group9.

Neuroprotection: A recent literature review on quercetin’s neuropharmacological effects revealed it can protect against neurotoxic chemicals, prevent and mitigate neuronal injuries as well as neurodegeneration, and appears to be strongly protective against many neurodegenerative diseases12.

Diabetes: Quercetins' antihyperglycemic actions, such as improving insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance and promotion of glycogen synthesis, are all tied to its stimulation of pancreatic beta-cells, and offer much to be excited about on this front13.

Antiviral: Quercetin is being intensively studied for its very promising antiviral potential, which includes polymerase, reverse transcriptase & protease inhibition, DNA gyrase suppression, and binding of viral capsid proteins14.

How Can I Incorporate Quercetin Into My Diet & Enhance Absorption?

Quercetin occurs widely in the plant kingdom and in the human diet, with some of the richest commonly eaten sources being onions, grapes, cherries, apples, mangoes, citrus fruits, buckwheat, plums, tomatoes, and tea.

Common culinary spices, as well as popular herbal medicines, are particularly rich sources of quercetin, including fennel, turmeric, ashwagandha, amla, holy basil, licorice, gotu cola, St John’s wort, coriander & many more3.

Research into the absorption of quercetin in humans is ongoing, with mixed results, however it is generally assumed quercetin is absorbed easily due to its lipophilic nature, and increasing oral doses correlate to increased serum levels3.

A typical dietary intake in humans is 5-100 mg daily, but most clinical studies use 500 to 1000 mg per day in divided doses, and absorption can be enhanced by consuming quercetin in the presence of a fatty meal, or by taking it along with some lecithin, apple pectin, or oligosaccharides such as inulin4, 5.

How is Quercetin Metabolized?

In food, quercetin is present as quercetin glycosides, which are hydrolyzed in the gut, releasing aglycone, which is then absorbed and metabolized into glucuronidated, methylated and sulfated complexes, which are more stable for circulation in the blood plasma14, 15.

Researchers are now increasingly exploring the metabolism of quercetin, with interesting discoveries, such as methylated quercetin glucuronides located in liver cells, where its protection from local oxidative stress, and its activation of Nrf2 metabolic pathway in pancreatic tissues would greatly contribute to its anti-diabetic effects15.

Much more research is being conducted in this exciting space, so stay tuned for future updates!

References:

  1. Wang, G., Wang, Y., Yao, L. et al. Pharmacological activity of quercetin: An updated review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol 2022, Article ID 3997190 https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3997190
  2. Maurya, D. & Maurya, P.K. Health Benefits of Quercetin in Age-Related Diseases. Molecules 2022, 27(8) https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27082498
  3. Randi L. Edwards, Tiffany Lyon, Sheldon E. Litwin, Alexander Rabovsky, J. David Symons, Thunder Jalili, Quercetin Reduces Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Subjects, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 137, Issue 11, November 2007 https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/137.11.2405
  4. Batiha, G.E.-S.; Beshbishy, A.M.; Ikram, M.; Mulla, Z.S.; El-Hack, M.E.A.; Taha, A.E.; Algammal, A.M.; Elewa, Y.H.A. The Pharmacological Activity, Biochemical Properties, and Pharmacokinetics of the Major Natural Polyphenolic Flavonoid: Quercetin. Foods 2020, 9, 374. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9030374
  5. Randi L. Edwards, Tiffany Lyon, Sheldon E. Litwin, Alexander Rabovsky, J. David Symons, Thunder Jalili, Quercetin Reduces Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Subjects, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 137, Issue 11, November 2007, Pages 2405–2411 https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/137.11.2405
  6. Kressler J, Millard-Stafford M, Warren GL. Quercetin and endurance exercise capacity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011 Dec;43(12):2396-404. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31822495a
  7. Erratum in: Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012 Mar;44(3):558-9. PMID: 21606866. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/137.11.2405
  8. Qian Deng, Xiao Xue Li, Yanting Fang, Xin Chen, Jingui Xue, "Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin as an Antiatherosclerotic Agent in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Review", Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2020, Article ID 5926381, 12 pages, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5926381
  9. Qiaowen Ou, Zhifen Zheng, Yongyi Zhao & Weiqun Lin (2020) Impact of quercetin on systemic levels of inflammation: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled human trials, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 71:2, 152-163, DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2019.1627515
  10. Fatemeh Javadi, Arman Ahmadzadeh, Shahryar Eghtesadi, Naheed Aryaeian, Mozhdeh Zabihiyeganeh, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani & Shima Jazayeri (2017) The Effect of Quercetin on Inflammatory Factors and Clinical Symptoms in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 36:1, 9-15, DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2016.1140093
  11. Milad Ashrafizadeh, Zahra Ahmadi, Tahereh Farkhondeh & Saeed Samarghandian (2022) Autophagy as a molecular target of quercetin underlying its protective effects in human diseases, Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 128:1, 200-208, DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2019.1671458
  12. Mingming Yin, Yongping Liu & Yi Chen (2021) Iron metabolism: an emerging therapeutic target underlying the anti-cancer effect of quercetin, Free Radical Research, 55:3, 296-303, DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2021.1898604
  13. Islam MS, Quispe C, Hossain R, Islam MT, Al-Harrasi A, Al-Rawahi A, Martorell M, Mamurova A, Seilkhan A, Altybaeva N, Abdullayeva B, Docea AO, Calina D and Sharifi-Rad J (2021) Neuropharmacological Effects of Quercetin: A LiteratureBased Review. Front. Pharmacol. 12:665031. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.66503
  14. Bahare Salehi, Laura Machin, Lianet Monzote, Javad Sharifi-Rad, Shahira M. Ezzat, Mohamed A. Salem, Rana M. Merghany, Nihal M. El Mahdy, Ceyda Sibel Kılıç, Oksana Sytar, Mehdi Sharifi-Rad, Farukh Sharopov, Natália Martins, Miquel Martorell, and William C. Cho. Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin: New Insights and Perspectives for Human Health. ACS Omega 2020 5 (20), 11849-11872 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01818
  15. Di Petrillo, A., Orrù, G., Fais, A., & Fantini, M. C. (2022). Quercetin and its derivates as antiviral potentials: A comprehensive review. Phytotherapy Research, 36( 1), 266– 278. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7309
  16. Michala AS, Pritsa A. Quercetin: A Molecule of Great Biochemical and Clinical Value and Its Beneficial Effect on Diabetes and Cancer. Diseases. 2022 Jun 29;10(3):37. doi: 10.3390/diseases10030037. PMID: 35892731; PMCID: PMC9326669.
Zurück zum Blog

Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Bitte beachte, dass Kommentare vor der Veröffentlichung freigegeben werden müssen.

  • The impact of omega-3 fatty acids on brain aging

    The impact of omega-3 fatty acids on brain aging

    Angela Patricia Franca

    In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for brain health, memory preservation, and brain damage prevention. We’ll also look at how to include these essential fats into...

    The impact of omega-3 fatty acids on brain aging

    Angela Patricia Franca

    In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for brain health, memory preservation, and brain damage prevention. We’ll also look at how to include these essential fats into...

  • The daily anti-aging routine of Bryan Johnson - Project Blueprint

    The daily anti-aging routine of Bryan Johnson -...

    Kristina Zuna

    Do you want to know more about what Bryan Johnson is doing to reverse his aging process? Keep reading this article and find his exact daily routine, which he named "Project Blueprint". 

    The daily anti-aging routine of Bryan Johnson -...

    Kristina Zuna

    Do you want to know more about what Bryan Johnson is doing to reverse his aging process? Keep reading this article and find his exact daily routine, which he named "Project Blueprint". 

  • The longevity debate: can supplements replace exercise?

    The longevity debate: can supplements replace e...

    Angela Patricia Franca

    Have you ever wondered how exercise and supplements impact your body’s aging process? Both target key biological pathways that influence longevity but in different ways. If you want to know more about how to...

    The longevity debate: can supplements replace e...

    Angela Patricia Franca

    Have you ever wondered how exercise and supplements impact your body’s aging process? Both target key biological pathways that influence longevity but in different ways. If you want to know more about how to...

  • How Does Evidence-based Research Help Us Understand Supplements?

    How Does Evidence-based Research Help Us Unders...

    Angela Patricia Franca

    Want to learn more about the best evidence to look for when selecting supplements? Keep reading to discover the science behind supplement research!

    How Does Evidence-based Research Help Us Unders...

    Angela Patricia Franca

    Want to learn more about the best evidence to look for when selecting supplements? Keep reading to discover the science behind supplement research!

1 von 4

Featured collection