Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
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 The flavonoid quercetin inhibits both the manufacture and release of histamine and other allergic/ inflammatory mediators by mast cells and basophils.
• It is important to rule out low thyroid function or the presence of antibodies against the thyroid gland in cases of chronic hives. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Discuss its use with your doctor before having any type of surgery
3Do not use quercetin if you are taking cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimunne) or nifedipine (Procardia).
HERBS TO AVOID
Q People who have cataracts should avoid St. John's wort since it may sensitize the retina to sunlight and create further complications not directly related to the cataracts themselves. (For more information regarding this herb, See st. john's wort under The Herbs in Part One. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
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 For example, the flavonoid phytochemical quercetin is located in the highest amounts in the outer layers of fruits and vegetables. Wash the fruit and vegetables thoroughly, a vegetable brush works well, and cut away any bruised or damaged areas. The phytochemical content of canned fruits and vegetables, which are often peeled, may be diminished. You will be maximizing the available phytochemicals by eating clean edible plant skins.
Phytochemicals can be very volatile. Cooking and pureeing have been shown to make certain phytochemicals more available for absorption by the body. |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
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 I have already discussed the healing properties of quercetin, found in onions. In addition, many clinical studies show that garlic and onions contain an active anticoagulant that acts very similarly to aspirin. Garlic has been known to lower blood pressure and inhibit platelet stickiness, thus reducing the possibility of blood clotting.
The reported health benefits of garlic date back thousands of years. Garlic has been used in Greece, Egypt, Rome, China, and Japan for many centuries. In Africa, garlic has even been used to treat typhus and cholera. |
Jean Carper
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 Red grapes (but not white or green grapes), are high in antioxidant quercetin. Grape skins contain resveratrol, shown to inhibit blood-platelet clumping (and consequently, blood clot formation) and boost good-type HDL cholesterol. Red grapes are antibacterial and antiviral in test tubes. Grapeseed oil also raises good-type HDL cholesterol.
Grapefruit. The pulp contains a unique pectin (in membranes and juice sacs—not in juice) that lowers blood cholesterol and reverses atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) in animals. |
| Yellow and red onions are the richest source of a compound, quercetin. It's an antioxidant, antiinflammatory agent and also a mild sedative. At least it seemed to make mice drowsy by acting on their central nervous systems, according to recent French studies.
ANTIANXIETY DIET PRESCRIPTION
• If you have anxiety, give up or severely restrict caffeine for at least a week, and see if the anxiety begins to dissipate. That includes less or no caffeinated coffee or tea, cocoa, chocolate or cola drinks. |
| Herbert Pierson advises eating garlic, flaxseed, quercetin (onions) and walnut oil.
264
VEGGIES VS. ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
Diet may "play an important role in the etiology [cause] of endometrial cancer," according to researchers at the University of Alabama School of Public Health in Birmingham. A comparison of the diets of women who did and did not have endometrial cancer showed that those who ate carrots, spinach, broccoli, cantaloupe or lettuce (foods high in carotene) at least once a day were only 27 percent as likely to have the cancer as women who ate those foods less than once a week. |
| Additionally, eating onions may help relieve hay fever; onions are extremely high in quercetin, recommended by some to quell allergic reactions.
Thumbs Up: VITAMIN C FIGHTS BRONCHITIS
If you are concerned about chronic bronchitis, buck up the intake of vitamin-C-rich foods in your diet. Eating such foods can help protect the lungs from damage and consequent debilitating bronchitis, declares Dr. Joel Schwartz of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
| In fact, quercetin is chemically similar to cromolyn, an anti-allergic drug that inhibits histamine release.
Dr. Eric Block, of the State University of New York at Albany, has also detected what he calls another "bizarre sulfur compound" in onions that in test tubes helps "prevent the biochemical cascade that leads to asthma and inflammatory reactions."
Another possible explanation of onions' anti-asthma powers is that some asthma may result from a bacterial infection by Chlamydia pneumoniae, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
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| It is also a good source of lutein, zeaxanthin, and quercetin and a significant source of the phytonutrients calcium, beta-carotene, and ascorbic acid. Fresh kale is most plentiful and least expensive in the winter months. It can be a lifesaver in meager times because even in the deepest winter, you can still harvest kale from the garden. It also is available frozen and canned in the supermarket.
Kudzu
Kudzu (or kuzu) is an arrowroot starch made from the plant of the same name. The kudzu plant is one of the richest documented sources of the isoflavones genistein and daidzein. |
| Heat and oil seem to enhance the availability of lycopene, so canned tomato juice and spaghetti sauce are very good sources of lycopene. quercetin and kaempferol serve as a plant's protection from ultraviolet light; thus tomatoes grown in greenhouses have less of these phytochemicals than tomatoes grown in the open air, as the glass blocks out the ultraviolet light. Researchers have noted a 34-percent decreased risk of prostate cancer among men who eat two to four servings of tomato products a week.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that is often used in Southeast Asian cooking. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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 Throw in the powerful antioxidant action of quercetin and other flavonoids — including the anthocyanins that give grapes their red color — and you've got an even stronger defense against dangerous free radicals that damage your cells and cause cancer.
You'll be glad to know research bears this out. In studies, moderate wine drinking lowered cancer deaths by 22 percent. Just remember, heavy drinking — more than a couple of glasses of wine per day — greatly increases your risk of cancer.
And again, you don't need to drink wine to get these anti-cancer benefits. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
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| They include caffeic, chlorogenic, coumaric, ellagic, and fer-ulic acids, as well as quercetin and the vitamin-E containing alpha-tocopherol.
Phytosterols
Sterols are a group of alcohols that are a subgroup of steroids. Phytosterols are those sterols found in plants. They are similar in structure to cholesterol but do not have the negative effects on health that high levels of cholesterol can have, as they pass through the gastrointestinal tract almost completely unabsorbed. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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| Grape skins also contain the powerful flavonoid quercetin. It works as an antioxidant to prevent the low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol from building up in your artery walls and blocking blood flow to your heart and brain. It also stops your blood from turning sticky and clumping together. Blood moves through your arteries more easily, taking some of the pressure off your heart and reducing your risk of stroke.
And that's why red wine, which uses the grape skin, helps your heart while white wine does not. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
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| Apples are also sources of quercetin and ascorbic acid. A wide variety of fresh apples are available year-round. Apples also are available dried, canned, and jarred as applesauce; however, since the peels have been removed, the phytochemical content of canned apples and applesauce will be less than that of fresh apples. Dried apples are good choices, as long as the peel has not been removed. When choosing fresh fruit, select tight-skinned, unblemished fruits. Keep apples in the refrigerator for storage to retain the crispness of the fruit. |
Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson
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 Helenalin natural products found typically in the flower heads of arnica.
Pharmacological effects and clinical efficacy
Both the pure sesquiterpene lactones with an exocyclic methylene group (e.g. helenalin) as well as plant extracts containing this class of compounds have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Animal studies provide good evidence for the biological effect; for example, helenalin appears to interact with a large number of cysteine residues in numerous target proteins. This in turn interferes with the function of these proteins. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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 That may be so in some very sensitive people, but here are the antihistamine compounds in this herb: apigenin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, lute-olin, quercetin, rutin and umbelliferone. This set of compounds is a good reason to give this herb a try. If it doesn't help, or if it seems to make the hives worse, simply discontinue use.
For the greatest variety of antihistamine compounds, my computer suggests making a tea with a combination of several antihistamine herbs, including basil, camomile, fennel, oregano, tarragon and tea. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Nutrients that give our immune system an extra boost include vitamin C, quercetin, pycnogenol, vitamin E, selenium, B-complex vitamins, zinc, essential fatty acids, and gamma linolenic acid.
Herbs that strengthen the immune system include garlic, astragalus, echinacea, ginseng, wild cherry bark, and horehound.
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
_Causes_
One possible cause of Alzheimer's disease is atherosclerosis, a condition in which the diminished flow of blood within the body affects the brain and produces common Alzheimer's symptoms. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| Like onions, garlic has a significant ability
Dia-beanie Soup
Beans contain a type of fiber that is particularly useful for controlling blood sugar levels, and onion skin is particularly rich in the beneficial compound quercetin, which serves the same purpose. Leaving the onion skin on while the soup cooks means that more of the compound will end up in the soup bowl, where you want it. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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 Bioflavonoids also can reduce the amount of histamine released from cells; quercetin is definitely strong in this function.
Uses: The main use of the bioflavonoids is to provide synergy in the utilization ofvitamin C; therefore they contribute to many vitamin C applications—for example, the treatment of colds and flus. Bioflavonoids themselves are often supplemented for problems where improved capillary strength is needed, such as bleeding gums, easy bruising, and duodenal bleeding ulcers, which may be worsened by weak capillaries. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| Grapes and raisins also contain several anti-inflammatory compounds: ascorbic acid, cinnamic acid, coumarin, myricetin, quercetin and quercitrin. And in 1997, there was a flurry of interest in resveratrol, yet another anti-inflammatory compound of which grapes are the best source. Ounce for ounce, raisins contain more of all of these compounds than grapes because they contain less water.
All of these pain relievers occur at low levels in raisins, so I doubt that the mere seven gin-soaked raisins that Harvey touted would contain significant doses. |
Francisco, M.D. Contreras
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| Terence Leighton, a biochemistry professor at the University of California, Berkeley, is a world authority on phytochemicals and believes that, "Quercetin is one of the strongest anti-cancer agents known."
Anti-cancer enzymes, found only in whole fruits, vegetables and grains, are what make the difference between people who get cancer and those who don't. You need enough free-floating enzymes in your system to conquer cancer every day!
Enzymes are needed for the body to use many nutrients, especially proteins. More than two thousand varieties play vital roles in every human physical function. |
Henry Pasternak, D.V.M., C.V.A.
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 Herbs with anti-inflammatory effects such as curcumin, flax, licorice, and quercetin have also been shown to have antineoplastic effects.
COMMON CANCERS IN DOCS AND CATS
There are more than a hundred cancers recognized in dogs and cats. We will discuss a few of the most common. It is important to realize that cancer cells produce noxious substances (prostaglandins) that suppress the immune system.
Tumors
Tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue are commonly seen in dogs. One tumor I see quite often is mast cell tumors. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
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| In addition to the assortment of phytochemicals that are common to all cruciferous vegetables, broccoli is also a source of beta-carotene, folic acid, quercetin, ascorbic acid, protease inhibitors, lutein, and calcium. The calcium that is present in broccoli is better absorbed by the body than the calcium from milk—32 percent of the calcium present in milk is absorbed by the body compared with 53 percent of the calcium from broccoli. The indole-3-carbinol and beta-carotene from broccoli are made more available for absorption after cooking. |
Gale Maleskey
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 Bioflavonoids
Individual names: quercetin, rutin, hesperidin, and proanthocyanidins, among others.
May help: Allergies, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, bruises, gout, high cholesterol, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, low immunity, arthritis, and sciatica. With vitamin C, used for gingivitis, colds and flu, canker sores, cold sores, menopausal discomforts, heavy menstrual bleeding, vaginitis, and genital herpes. May also strengthen capillaries, enhance connective tissue repair, decrease risk of heart disease and stroke, and help prevent cancer.
Special instructions: Take with food. |
| She recommends taking 1,000 milligrams of a broad-range bioflavonoid supplement that contains citrus bioflavonoids and quercetin three times a day. cataracts
If your doctor tells you that you're developing a cataract, it means that the lens in one of your eyes is becoming less transparent. As this normally crystal-clear disk begins to cloud over, you might have trouble seeing into the distance, words on a page may appear blurry, or you could find yourself wishing that your eyeglasses were stronger. |
| To speed the healing of existing sores, she recommends taking 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily in divided doses and 1,000 milligrams daily of quercetin, a commonly used bioflavonoid.
Zinc 'Em, Too
Upping your intake of zinc can also reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of cold sore outbreaks. This mineral has been shown in test-tube studies to block the reproduction of the virus. It produces T lymphocyte cells, which are important body defenses against viral infections.
During a cold sore outbreak, take 50 milligrams a day of zinc in divided doses with food, says Michael Traub, N. |
Attaining Medical Self SufficiencyDuncan Long
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| Leighton of the University of California, Berkeley, believes that quercetin, a mutagen in red wine which is also found in onions and garlic, is the chemical responsible for the effects seen in the research. Since red wine contains this potential cancer fighter, many have suggested that adding red wine to the diet may also have health benefits.166 However this may be a risky assumption; as noted elsewhere in this manual^ alcohol seems to have a detrimental effect on the immune system and high levels of 1 alcohol are carcinogenic. So a better source of this mutagen is onions or garlic. |
Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.
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 Green tea contains antioxidant polyphenols, including cate-chins and quercetin, which can increase antioxidant activity in the blood by as much as 50 percent. This increased activity occurs about half an hour after drinking the tea.
Green tea also improves the efficiency of the liver's enzyme detoxification system. Therefore it is able to help rid the body of toxins before they are able to damage cells.
It's interesting to note that although green tea has recently been heralded in the media for its health-promoting properties, black tea may be almost as beneficial. |
Gabriel Cousens, M.D.
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 Peculiar to pregnancy, vitamin C with the bioflavonoids may not be a good idea, because some research has found that rutin can be converted into another bioflavonoid called quercetin that can damage chromosomes. To be on the safe side, I recommend the vitamin C without bioflavonoids. I suggest taking at least two thousand milligrams.
Vitamin D is important because it increases our ability to absorb calcium and enhances calcium metabolism. Usually thirty minutes of sunlight will provide the daily need of vitamin D. |
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