Post by catatonic on May 2, 2004 7:23:51 GMT -5
AustinsMom mentioned quercetin on a different thread dealing with seasonal allergies. From what I've read about quercetin, it seems worth examing further, maybe worth trying, certainly worth starting its own thread to get more info...but there are a couple of big question marks.
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid, an antioxidant, plentiful in certain foods (apples, grapes/wine, black or green tea, citrus fruits, onions). It is also a phytoestrogen (a plant that mimics the properties of the human hormone estrogen).
There are a number of studies on the potential benefits of quercetin, some well-designed, some not. Based on these studies, researchers have concluded that quercetin may function as an anti-histamine and (like the other important antioxidants) may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
There's a decent overview of quercetin as a supplement at the UC Berkeley website:
www.berkeleywellness.com/html/ds/dsQuercetin.php
On the use of quercetin for allergies, according to the Integrative Medicine website at www.healthandage.com
"Quercetin inhibits the production and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory substances. 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."
The Natural Physician encyclopedia offers this conclusion about quercetin and test tube research showing it prevents immune cells from releasing histamine:
"The evidence is extremely preliminary, far too preliminary to rely upon at all. There is as yet no direct evidence as that taking quercetin supplements will reduce your allergy symptoms.
The recommended dose for allergies is 250mg - 600mg per day. This is for a 150 pound adult. My son weighs about half that much, so he would need to take in the neighborhood of 125mg - 300mg daily.
According to Dr. Weil:
"Look for 500 mg coated tablets, avoid the powder. Source Natural's brand Activated Quercetin is a good choice." He also says avoid quercetin if you're pregnant, although it's fine if you're nursing.
The NIH toxicology research on quercetn appears to indicate that it may have a slight carcinogenic effect in males, but none was detected in females. (Study done on rats, not humans, at high doses over long term.) You can read a summary here, or click the link to full results (long and boring):
ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/LT-studies/tr409.html
So if anyone has tried quercetin (for allergies or any other reason) what has your experience been? I think it sound like it might be worth a try, but so does something like claritin. What do you all think?
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid, an antioxidant, plentiful in certain foods (apples, grapes/wine, black or green tea, citrus fruits, onions). It is also a phytoestrogen (a plant that mimics the properties of the human hormone estrogen).
There are a number of studies on the potential benefits of quercetin, some well-designed, some not. Based on these studies, researchers have concluded that quercetin may function as an anti-histamine and (like the other important antioxidants) may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
There's a decent overview of quercetin as a supplement at the UC Berkeley website:
www.berkeleywellness.com/html/ds/dsQuercetin.php
On the use of quercetin for allergies, according to the Integrative Medicine website at www.healthandage.com
"Quercetin inhibits the production and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory substances. 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."
The Natural Physician encyclopedia offers this conclusion about quercetin and test tube research showing it prevents immune cells from releasing histamine:
"The evidence is extremely preliminary, far too preliminary to rely upon at all. There is as yet no direct evidence as that taking quercetin supplements will reduce your allergy symptoms.
The recommended dose for allergies is 250mg - 600mg per day. This is for a 150 pound adult. My son weighs about half that much, so he would need to take in the neighborhood of 125mg - 300mg daily.
According to Dr. Weil:
"Look for 500 mg coated tablets, avoid the powder. Source Natural's brand Activated Quercetin is a good choice." He also says avoid quercetin if you're pregnant, although it's fine if you're nursing.
The NIH toxicology research on quercetn appears to indicate that it may have a slight carcinogenic effect in males, but none was detected in females. (Study done on rats, not humans, at high doses over long term.) You can read a summary here, or click the link to full results (long and boring):
ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/LT-studies/tr409.html
So if anyone has tried quercetin (for allergies or any other reason) what has your experience been? I think it sound like it might be worth a try, but so does something like claritin. What do you all think?
