Spotlight on Quercetin
Recently, I was doing a deep dive into the properties of quercetin, a powerful plant phytonutrient and antioxidant in the flavonoid family. I began to fully realize what incredible plant medicine quercetin can be—even joking that everyone should take it because it does so much on a chemical level. In our Denver functional medicine practice and our telehealth practice, we are increasingly using quercetin with our patients. Today I am putting a spotlight on quercetin and its many positive attributes.
Quercetin is a type of plant pigment that is found in many fruits, vegetables, and grains. It is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, and is often used in functional medicine as a dietary supplement. Most people think of quercetin around this time of year (Spring!) as it is a natural way to dampen seasonal allergies.
Some facts: Quercetin modulates NFkB (an inflammatory pathway), inhibits COX (think pain) and inhibits LOX (think allergy, asthma, eczema, mast cells). It’s an aromatase inhibitor and a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor working gently on hormonal pathways. It upregulates NRf-2 (helps control inflammation). The list goes on. I know it’s technical and I may have already put you to sleep but knowing the “why” behind the supplements and food medicines recommended by functional medicine clinicians is key.
Aside from all this, it is important to note more generally that quercetin (and other natural plant medicines) can be superior to traditional pharmaceuticals in important ways. One is that quercetin modulates pathways that many medicines block (like biologics, NSAIDs, allergy medicines). This is an important difference. Traditional medicines can be very effective but often have unwanted side effects (sleepiness, dryness, liver toxicity and more) and even eventually stop working. While botanicals like quercetin, are more subtle. They work synergistically with other vitamins and plants we take in to modulate not block.
Here are some of the attributes and uses of Quercetin:
Antioxidant: Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant, which means it can help to protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which can damage cells and contribute to a number of diseases.
Anti-inflammatory: Quercetin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can help to reduce inflammation in the body. This can be especially beneficial for people with chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
Anti-cancer: Quercetin has been shown to have anti-cancer properties, and may help to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells. It has been studied for its potential to prevent breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer.
Immune system support: Quercetin has been shown to help support the immune system, and may help to reduce the risk of infections and illnesses.
Cardiovascular health: Quercetin has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, and may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Allergy relief: Quercetin has been shown to have antihistamine properties, which means it may help to reduce allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, and hives.
Quercetin is available as a dietary supplement, and is often combined with other nutrients such as vitamin C for enhanced absorption. It is also found naturally in many foods, including apples, onions, berries, and leafy green vegetables, kale, capers. To find out more, book an appointment with a functional medicine doctor, or one of our telehealth providers. Information on membership is here.
