Quercetin Uses

I had read about this supplement early on.  I forgot about and ran into again today.  There are studies showing that taking this while in tx may help chemo drugs work better. Here is a list of all it uses.  I will look to see what else I can find out about it.

Quercetin offers a variety of potential therapeutic uses, primarily in the prevention and treatment of the conditions listed below. Of note is that quercetin seems to work better when used in conjunction with bromelain, a digestive enzyme found in pineapples, particularly for allergies and inflammation.

Allergies, Asthma, Hayfever and Hives
Quercetin inhibits the production and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory substances. Histamine is a substance that contributes to allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and swelling of soft tissue including the face and lips.

Heart Disease
Test tube, animal, and some population-based studies suggest that the flavonoids quercetin, resveratrol, and catechins (all found in high concentration in red wine) may help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque build up in the arteries that can lead to heart attack or stroke). By acting as antioxidants, these nutrients appear to protect against the damage caused by LDL ("bad") cholesterol and may help prevent death from heart disease. Additional rigorous studies in people are needed to confirm these findings.

High Cholesterol
Flavonoids, like quercetin, from red wine or orange juice may help lower cholesterol levels.

Eye Disorders
Free radicals are thought to contribute to the development of certain eye disorders including cataracts and macular degeneration (a disorder that leads to lens damage and possibly blindness). Flavonoids, such as quercetin, neutralize free radicals and may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of these eye conditions.

In a study of 3,072 adults with symptoms of macular degeneration, moderate red wine consumption (a source of quercetin) offered some protection against the development and progression of the disease. Dark berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and dark cherries, are also high in flavonoids. Some suggest that eating these fruits regularly may also offer benefit for preventing macular degeneration.

Similarly, animal studies suggest that quercetin inhibits the activity of compounds that contribute to the development of cataracts.

Arthritis
According to laboratory and animal studies, quercetin has anti-inflammatory properties. In test tubes, for example, quercetin inhibits the type of inflammation that can occur in the joints of those with arthritis. In addition, there are reports of people with rheumatoid arthritis who experienced an improvement in their symptoms when they switched from a typical Western diet to a vegan diet with lots of uncooked berries, fruits, vegetables, nuts, roots, seeds, and sprouts containing, amongst other antioxidants, quercetin.

Fibromyalgia
Similar to the case reports for arthritis, people with fibromyalgia who switched from a typical Western diet to a vegan diet high in flavonoids such as quercetin experienced improvement in their symptoms.

Prostate Health
Some studies suggest that quercetin improves pain and other symptoms in men with chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). In addition, preliminary laboratory studies indicate that quercetin may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in test tubes. How this will ultimately translate to prevention or treatment of prostate cancer in men is unknown at this time.

Cancer
Quercetin and other flavonoids from fruits and vegetables have long been considered important substances to possibly help prevent cancer. New laboratory studies are suggesting that this belief may be accurate. Quercetin and other flavonoids have been shown in animal and test tube studies to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, including those from breast, colon, prostate, and lung tumors.

One study evaluating quercetin in humans included 11 people with various forms of cancer. This study found that quercetin reduced the actual tumor size in two people and inhibited the activity of a protein that plays a role in tumor growth in nine of the 11 people. More studies are needed to further explore the possible beneficial effects of quercetin in people.

Researchers are also hopeful that quercetin and other flavonoids may prove to enhance the action of anti-cancer drugs. This issue, however, of using anti-oxidants at the same time as chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer is controversial. Until more is know, it should likely be avoided.

Canker Sores
Quercetin may reduce the frequency of mouth sores and produce mild symptomatic relief.

Sustained Energy Boost
Studies show that high quantities of Quercetin provide a sustained boost of energy

Other