Quercetin: A Natural Anti-Cancer Flavonoid You Need to Know About
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The Remarkable Role of Quercetin in Cancer Treatment
The Role of Flavonoids in Nutritional Support
Clinical Studies of Quercetin
Today we examine the fantastic benefits of the flavonoid Quercetin. It exerts a wide range of anticancer effects that have been well documented in thousands of studies. The primary dietary sources of Quercetin are fruits and vegetables like apples, citrus fruits, onions, parsley, sage, tea, and olive oil. It is important to eat nutrient rich foods, particularly when fighting cancer, but to get the maximum benefit from Quercetin’s anticancer capabilities, supplements are used to increase bioavailability. In a moment, we will review dosages that have been shown to deliver benefits.
Now, studies show high levels of Quercetin can deliver a multi-pronged attack on cancer.
For starters, quercetin has been shown to block cancer from completing the cell cycle. Quick biology lesson: cells that divide do so by going through the cell cycle. For normal cells, this is a controlled process, however a common trait of cancer is its accelerated and unchecked cell division rates. Quercetin can block multiple phases of a cancer’s cell cycle preventing it from multiplying, thus helping to slow the growth of the cancer.
Here is another problem Quercetin can help solve. Cancer cells have an ability to ignore signals that tell them to self destruct. Our bodies do an amazing job of understanding which cells are unwanted or damaged beyond repair. Most of the time things are working properly, these cells are instructed to terminate and they carry out the orders. This process is called apoptosis. However, when this command is ignored, it can lead to cancer. There are many complicated mechanisms cancer cells have developed to avoid apoptosis, but Quercetin has an ability to inhibit key proteins that cancer cells use to shield them from normally programmed cell death.
On top of those three major anticancer actions, Quercetin also can
Chemosensitize cancers that are resistant to chemotherapy
Protect normal cells from the damaging effects of chemo and radiation therapy
Promote an anti-angiogenesis effect that reduces the cancers ability to form new blood vessels that would fuel the tumor
Prevent cancer growth by inhibiting cell invasion
Reduce the production of heat shock proteins in cancers
Again, a library of studies show that quercetin can provide these anticancer effects, many of which are linked in the description of this video. Some of the studies that showed promising results tested quercetin doses that range from 15mg / kg and higher. Quercetin is regarded as very safe with “no clinically important adverse side effects”. For those considering to take high doses, we have a link to a study that showed doses of 5,000 mg per day for a few weeks were well tolerated by adult patients.
Ultimately, cancer patients need to work with a knowledgeable Integrative or Naturopathic Care Provider that can evaluate your medical condition to provide a personalized dosage recommendations.
Also, not all forms of Quercetin provide the same impact. Studies show that Quercetin dihydrate seems to be the form with the best bioavailability; meaning your body can use this form more so than other types. As with any supplement, make sure you source it from a manufacturer that has potency and safety testing conducted by a reputable third party.
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