There is no doubt that quercetin is a nutrition superstar. There are good scientific reasons why much of the public and holistic doctors will focus on quercetin. While quercetin has been around for some time, the use of new technology to deliver superior absorption and therapeutic effects is relatively new.
Quercetin belongs to a family of plant pigments known as flavonoids. In plants, flavonoids carry out essential functions such as attracting pollinating insects, combating environmental stresses, and regulating cell growth.
Since the 1990s, there has been a growing interest in dietary flavonoids due to their disease-protective contributions to plant foods. Flavonoids in foods have exhibited anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting, antidiabetic, anticancer, and nerve protective properties. Also, flavonoids have beneficial effects on cell-cell communication, which play a critical role in health.
Quercetin is found in everyday foods such as onions, apples, berries, teas, kale, broccoli, scallions, and other plant foods. This phytonutrient has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, immune balancing, and antiviral properties.
Over the years, I have seen significant benefits with supplemental quercetin for environmental allergies such as hayfever and to help control allergies and inflammation related to asthma. Research shows that quercetin blocks the release of histamine and reduces inflammation.
A study of people with mild to moderate asthma and allergies (rhinitis) were given Quercetin Phytosome® 250 mg or 500 mg daily along with standard treatment or standard treatment only. After 30 days, the group receiving standard medical treatment combined with Quercetin Phytosome® had superior results for reducing daily and night asthma symptoms, decreased use of medications such as inhalers, nasal drops, and rescue medications. Also, allergy symptoms improved for Quercetin Phytosome® users.
If that weren’t enough, quercetin has potent antiviral effects against the flu and cold viruses. Preliminary research suggests that quercetin may reduce the ability of SARS-CoV2 to bind with our cells.
Two eye-opening published studies in 2021 demonstrated that quercetin has benefits as a complementary treatment for people with active COVID-19.
The first was a prospective randomized, controlled, open-label, 30-day study in people who were COVID-19 positive with symptoms of COVID. The patients were early in the course of the COVID-19 disease. Half of the participants received standard care (pain and fever reducers, oral steroids, and antibiotics). At the same time, the second group had the same standard of care along with supplementation of Quercetin Phytosome® at a dose of 500 mg twice daily. Researchers found a reduction in the frequency and length of hospitalization, the need for non-invasive oxygen therapy, progression to intensive care units, and the number of deaths. Also, there were anti-fatigue and appetite improvement properties from quercetin supplementation. Quercetin Phytosome® had a very high safety profile in this study.
A second study involving Quercetin Phytosome® involved people with COVID-19 who were not hospitalized. Half of the 42 patients received standard medical care, while the other 21 patients received standard of care plus Quercetin Phytosome® supplementation. The quercetin was supplemented at 500 mg three times daily for seven days, followed by 500 mg twice daily for another seven days. Compared to the standard of care only, those receiving quercetin had a shortened amount of time from a positive C test to negative and reduced symptom severity. Most patients receiving quercetin reported improvement in fatigue and appetite.
Additional research has shown that quercetin is beneficial for reducing the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in athletes undergoing strenuous exercise. Studies show that quercetin reduces markers of inflammation and oxidative stress that occur with exercise. It is also beneficial for men who have chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland causing pelvic pain and/or urinary symptoms).
You can see why I recommend my patients take quercetin for several health benefits. With improved technology, highly absorbable Quercetin Phytosome® in our Quercetin Wellness allows my patients to achieve blood levels up to 20 times better than regular quercetin absorption.
Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, MS, is a bestselling author in private practice in Encinitas, California, at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. His newsletter, Dr. Stengler’s Health Breakthroughs, is available at www.markstengler.com and his product line at www.drstengler.com
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Cesarone, M. R., et al. Supplementary prevention and management of asthma with quercetin phytosome: a pilot registry. Minerva medica (2019).
Colunga Biancatelli, R., Berrill, M., Catravas, J., & Marik, P. (2020). Quercetin and Vitamin C: An Experimental, Synergistic Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Related Disease (COVID-19). Frontiers In Immunology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01451
Di Pierro F, Derosa G, Maffioli P, Bertuccioli A, Togni S, Riva A, Allegrini P, Khan A, Khan S, Khan BA, Altaf N, Zahid M, Ujjan ID, Nigar R, Khushk MI, Phulpoto M, Lail A, Devrajani BR, Ahmed S. Possible Therapeutic Effects of Adjuvant Quercetin Supplementation Against Early-Stage COVID-19 Infection: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, and Open-Label Study. Int J Gen Med. 2021;14:2359-2366 https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S318720
Di Pierro F, Iqtadar S, Khan A, Ullah Mumtaz S, Masud Chaudhry M, Bertuccioli A, Derosa G, Maffioli P, Togni S, Riva A, Allegrini P, Khan S. Potential Clinical Benefits of Quercetin in the Early Stage of COVID-19: Results of a Second, Pilot, Randomized, Controlled and Open-Label Clinical Trial. Int J Gen Med. 2021;14:2807-2816 https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S318949
Gu Y-Y, Zhang M, Cen H, Wu Y-F, Lu Z, Lu F, et al. (2021) Quercetin as a potential treatment for COVID-19-induced acute kidney injury: Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking study. PLoS ONE 16(1): e0245209. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245209
Riva A, Ronchi M, Petrangolini G, Bosisio S, Allegrini P. Improved Oral Absorption of Quercetin from Quercetin Phytosome®, a New Delivery System Based on Food Grade Lecithin. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2019;44(2):169-177. doi:10.1007/s13318-018-0517-3
