Quercetin reduces the risk of viral diseases

📝Information at a glance

• Quercetin has a powerful antiviral effect, inhibiting several types of influenza, hepatitis B and C, and other viruses.
• It also fights inflammation, lowers blood pressure in people with stage 1 hypertension, and may help regress tumors.
• Quercetin reduces the risk of colds and flu and increases mental performance after extreme physical stress. Extreme physical stress can weaken the body’s immune function and make it more susceptible to infections.
• Quercetin stabilizes mast cells, has cytoprotective activity in the gastrointestinal tract, and has a direct regulatory effect on the basic functions of immune cells.
• Quercetin has been used in supplement form to improve obesity, type 2 diabetes, circulatory dysfunction, chronic inflammation, hay fever, and mood disorders.

🩺 Dr. Mercola

The immune system is your first defense against bacterial and viral infections, so the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases is to maintain robust immune function. Diet and other lifestyle factors are the basic foundation for this, but certain supplements can also help.

One helpful supplement is quercetin (also called quercetin). Quercetin is found in apples, plums, red grapes, green tea, elderflower, and onionIt is an antioxidant flavonol found naturally in.

Quercetin is one of those compounds that has a variety of benefits, making it useful in a variety of situations. However, perhaps the most well-known benefit is quercetin’s powerful antioxidant and antiviral activities. Additionally, elderflower extract, rich in quercetin, is a traditional tonic used to boost immunity.

Quercetin, in supplement form, has been used to improve obesity, type 2 diabetes, circulatory dysfunction, chronic inflammation, hay fever, and mood disorders. Several other studies have also highlighted quercetin’s ability to prevent and treat the common cold and flu.

In fact, quercetin’s antiviral function appears to be the main focus of many studies addressing its benefits. However, this supplement also has other, lesser-known uses, including blood pressure regulation and tumor regression.

Quercetin may lower blood pressure

For example, there is evidence that quercetin is beneficial for the heart and may help lower blood pressure in people with stage 1 hypertension. A 2007 study explains:

“Epidemiological studies have reported that quercetin… is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease and stroke… To test the efficacy of taking 730 mg of quercetin daily for 28 days, men and women with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension were studied. Participants were enrolled in a randomized, double-concealed, placebo-controlled crossover study.

Blood pressure at participation was as follows… Patients with stage 1 hypertension 148 +/- 2/96 +/- … after quercetin treatment [R] Systolic (-7 +/- 2 mmHg), diastolic (-5 +/- 2 mmHg), and mean arterial pressures (-5 +/- 2 mmHg) were observed in patients with stage 1 hypertension.

“We believe these data are the first to show that quercetin supplementation lowers blood pressure in patients with hypertension.”

Quercetin may cause tumors to regress

According to another study published in Scientific Reports in 2016, Quercetinhas the ability to cause tumor regression by interacting with DNA and activating the mitochondrial pathway of programmed cell death in damaged cells. The outline of this study is as follows:

“… Quercetin induced cytotoxicity in leukemia cells in a dose-dependent manner… In addition to leukemia cells, it also induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells, but had limited or no effects on normal cells.

Additionally, quercetin inhibited cell synthesis and replication during the cell cycle progression of cancer cells in tests. Importantly, quercetin administration increased the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice by approximately five-fold compared to untreated controls. It will.

Additionally, the study found that quercetin may be one of the mechanisms that induce cell death in cancer cell lines and tumor tissues by directly interacting with DNA and activating the intrinsic pathway. Therefore, these data suggest that quercetin could be further studied for its potential use in combination therapy with cancer treatments.”

How Quercetin Fights Inflammation and Improves Immunity

As mentioned, quercetin is best known for boosting immunity and fighting inflammation. As noted in a 2016 study in the journal Nutrients, the mechanism of action includes inhibition of: (but not limited to this)

• Macrophages produce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (TNF-α is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation secreted by activated macrophages, and is secreted by foreign substances, microorganisms, and other harmful or It is a type of immune cell that digests damaged ingredients)
• LPS-induced mRNA levels of TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-1α in glial cells resulting in “reduced neuronal death”
• production of enzymes that cause inflammation
• When calcium enters cells, it inhibits:

◦ Release of pro-inflammatory cytokines

◦ Histamine and serotonin release from visceral mast cells

Quercetin also stabilizes mast cells, has cytoprotective activities in the gastrointestinal tract, and has “direct regulatory effects on the basic functions of immune cells,” according to the paper. And in doing so, it inhibits “many molecular targets in the micromolar concentration range, downregulating or inhibiting many inflammatory pathways and functions.”

Health Benefits of Quercetin

In animal models, quercetin has been shown to:

• Improves inflammatory response caused by carrageenan, a common food additive
• Reduced production of TNF-α in visceral adipose tissue (abdominal fat that increases the risk of health complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease)
• Reduces clinical signs of arthritis
• After spinal cord injury, improved recovery of motor function (according to this paper, “intraperitoneal administration of 5 to 100 micromoles per kilogram of body weight of quercetin led more than half of the animals to walk… This ability to promote recovery from spinal cord injury is “It appears to be largely dependent on amount and frequency.”

In human studies, quercetin has been shown to:

• Reduces total sick leave days and symptom severity associated with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in able-bodied individuals aged 40 years and older at 500 mg or 1000 mg/day for 12 weeks.
• Significantly reduces risk of disease, inflammation and oxidative stress after strenuous exercise
• Strengthening the innate immune function of athletes under exercise stress
• Reduces viral illness and improves mental performance after extreme physical stress, which can weaken immune function (in one study, 45% of the placebo group developed a cold or influenza after three days of strenuous exercise, compared with 1,000 mg of quercetin). to help Vitamin CIn the group that was prescribed both niacin and niacin (only 5%)
• Protects the body from various pathogens, including cold viruses, adenoviruses, and coronaviruses

Quercetin is a powerful antiviral treatment

In fact, several studies have confirmed the effectiveness of quercetin against various viral infections. We have listed some of them below. In summary, quercetin’s powerful antiviral effects are due to three main mechanisms of action:

1. Inhibits the ability of viruses to infect cells
2. Inhibits replication of already infected cells
3. Antiviral drug treatment reduces the resistance of infected cells

According to a study conducted in 1985, quercetin inhibits infection and replication of herpes simplex virus type 1, polio virus type 1, parainfluenza virus type 3, and respiratory syncytial virus.

A 2010 animal study found that quercetin inhibits influenza A and B viruses. Two other important findings are:

1. The virus has not developed resistance to quercetin.
2. When combined with antiviral drugs such as amantadine or oseltamivir, its effectiveness is greatly amplified and prevents the development of drug resistance.

A 2004 animal study examining the effects of quercetin on influenza used the H3N2 virus strain. The author says:

“In mice, intranasal administration of influenza virus A/Udorn/317/72 (H3N2) significantly reduced lung concentrations of catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. … These effects were observed 5 days after virus injection.

However, when oral supplementation of quercetin was administered simultaneously with viral injection, lung concentrations of catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased…

In other words, the conclusion is that there is ‘oxidative stress’ during flu virus infection. “Because quercetin restores the concentration of many antioxidants, it may be useful in protecting the lungs from the harmful effects of oxygen derived from free radicals released during flu virus infection.”

A study published in 2015 found that quercetin inhibits hepatitis B virus replication in human liver cells, protecting the cells from infection and preventing the spread of infection in already infected specimens. Moreover, when combined with antiviral drugs (lamivudine, entecavir, or adefovir), the antiviral effect was significantly enhanced.

According to the authors, “The results of this study suggest that quercetin is effective against HBV in human liver cancer cell lines.[B형 간염 바이러스] It inhibited antigen secretion and genome replication, suggesting that quercetin may be a potentially effective anti-hepatitis B virus agent.” Other studies indicate that quercetin may also prevent hepatitis C.

According to a 2016 animal study, quercetin inhibited murine hepatitis virus and dengue virus.

Another 2016 study found that quercetin regulates protein expression, providing protection against the influenza A virus H1N1. Specifically, regulation of heat shock proteins, fibronectin 1 and prohibitin, was important in reducing viral replication.

A third study published in 2016 found that quercetin inhibited a wide range of flu virus strains, including H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1. According to the authors, “Quercetin exhibits inhibitory activity early in influenza infection. Therefore, quercetin [A형 독감 바이러스] “The development of effective, safe, and affordable natural products for the treatment and prevention of infections is a future therapeutic option.”

Quercetin is a much safer alternative to antiviral drugs

Considering the strong antiviral effect of quercetin, it is reasonable to use quercetin first before using antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu. Tamiflu shortens the duration of flu symptoms to less than 17 hours, does not reduce viral transmission, and does not lower the risk of complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.

Scientists have also warned that the risks of Tamiflu far outweigh its benefits. These risks include convulsions, brain infections, psychosis and other neuropsychiatric problems, including mood swings, suicidal thoughts, auditory hallucinations, memory impairment and insomnia.

This drug is especially dangerous for children, and more than half of children taking Tamiflu experience side effects. Considering these risks and limited effectiveness of Tamiflu, quercetin appears to be a much safer and more effective alternative. Studies have repeatedly shown that quercetin has no side effects and is non-toxic.

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What are the most⁢ effective natural​ remedies for alleviating flu symptoms once‍ they have developed?

The information provided ​in this⁣ response can help⁣ you generate questions for the interview related to natural remedies for the ‌flu:

1. What are some natural ways to boost the immune system to ​prevent⁢ the flu?

2. Can you discuss the effectiveness of quercetin in treating and preventing viral infections such as the flu? How does it exactly⁣ work?

3. What are some other natural supplements like‌ vitamin D and zinc ⁢that ⁢have been shown to be effective against the flu?

4.‌ Are there any ‍foods that can help fight​ against the flu? If so, which ones and how?

5. How ⁣does carrageenan, a common additive found in many foods and medications, ⁤affect immune ‍function and the body’s ability to fight off infections ⁤like the flu?

6. What is the evidence supporting the​ use of essential oils ‍like oregano⁣ oil or eucalyptus oil in treating ⁢the flu?

7. How do probiotics play a role‍ in boosting the immune system and ‌preventing viral infections like the flu?

8. What are some other natural compounds or supplements,⁢ besides quercetin, that have been ⁤shown to have antiviral properties against ⁤the flu?

9. What is the‌ current research on the efficacy of herbs like astragalus and elderberry in treating the flu?

10. Is there any truth to the claim⁣ that vitamin ⁢C can shorten the⁢ duration of the flu if taken at the onset of symptoms?

11. ‍Compared to synthetic ​drugs like Tamiflu, how effective are natural remedies in treating the flu?

12. ⁢What⁢ are some potential side effects associated with Tamiflu and other flu​ medications?

13. Can you discuss the importance of getting a flu shot every year and its effectiveness in preventing ⁣the flu?

14. Given the current state of flu ‍research and available treatments, what would you recommend as your top natural ⁤remedies for the flu?