QUERCETIN 25G

Quercetin is a water-soluble plant pigment classed as a bioflavonoid. Flavonoids are a large and diverse group of bioactive compounds, known as phytonutrients or phytochemicals that come under the banner of Polyphenols. This particular group of plant bioactive compounds have been identified as possessing huge benefits to human health, best known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Flavonoids are present in practically every fruit and vegetable and are the largest group of phytonutrients; there are more than 6,000 different identified types of flavonoid and they are the polyphenol most consumed in the human diet.

Flavonols are one of the more common types of flavonoid and quercetin is one of the most commonly consumed flavonols. It�s a specific type of flavonol found in a range of green leafy vegetables, berries, fruits, leaves, beans and grains. Other types of flavonol regarded as having health benefits but less commonly consumed in our diet are Kaempferol, Myricetin and Isorhamnetin.

Chemical Structure
Its chemical name is 3,3',4',5,7-pentapentahydroxyflavone, its natural state is a yellow crystalline powder. Molecularly speaking quercetin is a flavonoid, consisting of a six-member ring condensed with an a-pyrone benzene ring which in the 2-position carries a phenyl ring as a substituent. It has the basic flavonol structure of hydroxylation on the 3 carbon of the central ring, with two other hydroxylations on the outer ring.

History of Quercetin
In cultures across the globe, traditional medicine has for centuries adopted the use of plants rich in flavonoids. By comparison, in the Western world of medicine, the health benefits of plant bioactive compounds such as flavonoids is a relatively recent discovery. Bioflavonoids and their huge range of health benefits specifically caught the attention of scientists when they were discovered by Nobel Prize laureate, Albert Szent Gyorgyi in the 1930�s.1 Quercetin itself has gained in interest and use over the past 30 years, particularly in the field of sports nutrition where scientists have been keen to research the capabilities of quercetin in terms of physical endurance and performance.2 The name quercetin is thought to be accounted to
Joseph Quercetanus Duchesne, a medieval scientist with a particular interest in Iatrochemistry, Alchemy, Medicine and Pharmacology.3 The name quercetin is also thought to derive from the fact that it�s present as the glyco-side Quercitrin in the bark of Quercus tinctoria (American Oak).4 And a further connection to this is that quercetin is a derivative of the latin word, quercetum, meaning oak grove or oak forest.5

Health Benefits and Uses
Quercetin and bioflavonoids in general are regarded as possessing properties beneficial to a wide range of health conditions and capable of reducing the risk of fatal diseases. Quercetin has been researched in recent years in particular, for its potential ability to decrease the risk of cancer; inflammatory; and cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Anti-inflammatory
Antiviral
Antioxidant; Protecting cells from damage by fending off free radicals which harm the health of cells.6
Anticancer and chemopreventive; reducing the risk of cancerous cells and the growth rate of tumours.7
Respiratory health.
Treatment of Pancreatitis; due to anti-inflammatory capabilities.
Anti-allergy and antihistamine properties; used to treat hay fever, hives and other allergies and conditions.8
Treatment of skin conditions like dermatitis and photosensitivity.
Neuroactive capabilities similar to that of caffeine.9
Cardiovascular health; protects against heart disease, reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Promotes blood flow; lowers cholesterol; and protects against LDL cholesterol oxidation.10
Blood pressure; helps maintain healthy stable blood pressure.
Protects body against stress; the body releases cortisol when we are stressed. Too much cortisol can cause harm to muscle tissue, which can cause protein to breakdown in the body. Quercetin can counteract this process by blocking the enzyme which is needed for cortisol to be produced.11
Sports performance; improves mental and physical performance and enhances stamina. Quercetin could also lessen the risk of infection when undertaking extreme physical exercise.12
Prostate Health.13
Treatment of Fibromyalgia.14
Treatment of Gout; due to anti-inflammatory action.15
Supports general good health; helps to bolster immune system.16
Natural sources of Quercetin
Natural sources of quercetin are vast and include green tea; red grapes; red onion; chili peppers; red kidney beans; capers; watercress; sweet potato (particularly the leaves) citrus fruit; red wine; cocoa powder; celery; plums; fennel leaves; broccoli; kale; tomatoes; lovage leaves; dock leaves (eg sorrel) apples; apricots, blueberries; raspberries; cherries, cranberries; some green algae; ginkgo biloba; St. John�s Wort and buckwheat.