Bioflavonoids Rutin and Hesperidin share left / right-sided cell receptors and may be considered essential to human health. (Bio)flavonoids comprise the most abundant group of plant Polyphenols , next to Phenolic acids (found in a variety of foods), Stilbenes (resveratrol, pinosylvin, isorhapontin), and Lignans (nuts, seeds, and whole grain cereals). Several thousand flavonoids have been identified, which provide much of the flavor and color in fruits and vegetables, and also berries and flowers. As a group with other polyphenols, flavonoids have been linked to reduced cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and many other health benefits as a result of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-allergenic properties. Following are some of about a dozen researched categories on Flavonoids or Bioflavonoids: Rutin Hesperidin Flavonoids / Bioflavonoids (bioflavinoids) are accessory nutrients to form an ascorbic acid or Vitamin C complex. Rutin and hesperidin are part of this Vitamin P group and function synergistically with Vitamin C in regard to maintaining healthy capillaries, to help form collagen in connective tissue, to help heal wounds, and to support a healthy immune system. Rutin and/or hesperidin, when low , frequently result in predictable, and even side-specific medical problems that include a greater risk for vascular degeneration, bruising / capillary fragility, nose bleeds, varicose veins, periodontal bleeding, hemorrhoids and aneurism, with few individuals exhibiting optimal levels, even after mega-supplementation. One reason is the chemical interaction of bioflavonoids with other nutrients, which can have a synergistic or inhibiting effect on them. Various drugs are also able to interact with (bio)flavonoids and affect their efficacy. Copper is the most common and potent inhibitor of hesperidin and Vitamin C, being the reason why high levels of copper create a greater risk for vascular degeneration, which in turn requires greater intake of sulfur, Vitamin C, chromium, or molybdenum to lower copper - to make it more bioavailable, otherwise hesperidin levels will not go up, no matter how much is supplemented. (see also Acu-Cell "Vitamin C Supplementation "). Abnormal liver functions, triggered by drugs, hormones - particularly elevated estrogen - alcohol, etc., or the structural changes experienced during pregnancy, as well as lack of exercise and excessive amounts of time spent in a sitting position can be equally responsible to promote vascular degeneration. Hesperidin , like copper, has a right-sided cell receptor, so medical problems associated with its deficiency, and/or with copper excesses, are invariably right-sided as well. It is not unusual to see hemorrhoids, varicose veins, or other forms of vascular degenerration being noticeably worse on one side only. Rutin is inhibited mostly by chromium, however since chromium levels are on average not as high as copper levels, rutin levels are invariably higher than hesperidin levels, as long as dietary intake of rutin and hesperidin are similar.
Vanadium and selenium support rutin uptake, and molybdenum and sulfur support hesperidin uptake. Rutin + hesperidin are associated the same way as calcium + magnesium, in that taking only the one can over time deplete the other. For instance, the need to supplement rutin alone (without hesperidin) can only be justified when there is either a notable deficiency ratio-wise to hesperidin, or when there is a significant vascular problem, which is confined to the left side only. Measuring the actual levels of flavonoids will help establish whether they, or other aspects, such as impaired liver functions or drugs are causative factors with vascular degeneration. Low to moderate intake of alcohol, blood thinning medications, or blood-thinning supplements and spices (Vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, fish oils, garlic...) favorably enhance the activity of bioflavonoids, however excessive intake not only compromises Vitamin K , but causes a sharp drop with rutin and hesperidin levels as well. Although spinach and other green, leafy vegetables contain significant amounts of Vitamin K, the high oxalic acid content in spinach or other sources such as rhubarb, Swiss chard, beets / beet greens, and parsley, etc., promotes vascular degeneration and increases the risk for bleeding in prone individuals. Citrus Bioflavonoids are the most commonly supplemented forms of flavonoids. Unless there is an allergy or intolerance to citrus (some individuals find that flavonoids, particularly from citrus worsen their eczema), there are no other adverse or overdose reactions known, even when very high amounts are supplemented. Since citrus bioflavonoid tablets are usually quite large, brands should be chosen that either supply capsules, caplets, or oval shaped tablets, for easier swallowing.
Anthocyanins and their precursors Proanthocyanins (also called condensed tannins) are chemically related to quercetin, another class of flavonoids that are excellent antioxidants with similar benefits to other bioflavonoids. Pycnogenol , which comes from the bark of the French Maritime Pine (pinus maritima ), is a particularly promoted and well-known source of proanthocyanidins. While their cost is several times that of citrus bioflavonoids, tablet sizes are only a fraction of those containing other types of flavonoids, so they are easier to take for individuals with swallowing difficulties, or children. • Anthocyanidins are found in tea, beets, cherries, plums, red grapes, hawthorn, and some berries, (cyanidin, delphinidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin, malvidin). • Proanthocyanidins are found in tea, bilberry, apple, pear, grape seed, pine bark, beer, red wine, cranberry, red beans, (procyanidin, prodelphinidin, propelargonidin). Isoflavones from soy products (genistein, daidzein, glycitein), are another class of flavonoids that function as antioxidants, and in addition possess phytoestrogenic properties that can be effective for menopausal symptoms and to promote bone density in post-menopausal women. They may also be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease (inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation, thrombin formation and platelet activation), and cancer (inhibition of angiogenesis, and tyrosine kinase activity - an enzyme that promotes cancer growth), although there are conflicting opinions on the tumor-protective benefits in light of new evidence of also a possible pro -tumor effect following high soy intake. Isoflavones are mostly found in soybeans, garbanzo beans, chick peas, red clover and legumes. Cocoa is a rich source of catechins, which are polyphenols of the flavanol group, and which are believed to protect against heart disease, cancer, and various other medical conditions. While health benefits apply to some isolated compounds in cocoa - as a whole - they do not apply to processed cocoa products such as Chocolate any longer because of other less desirable ingredients offsetting these health benefits (i.e. added sugar, corn syrup, milk fats / dairy cream, hydrogenated oils, etc...), and also since the actual cocoa content may be less than 20% in most chocolate bars sold. (see also Acu-Cell "Chocolate " for more details on some of the positive and negative health effects of chocolate). Theobromine, found in chocolate, can be toxic or even lethal to domestic animals such as dogs, cats, horses, and many other animals as a result of affecting their kidneys, heart, and central nervous system. In addition, cocoa products contain a high level of copper , which - with few exceptions - is already too high in many individuals, and so consuming a lot of chocolate aggravates many high copper-related medical conditions, or creates additional ones (see also Acu-Cell "Chromium & Copper "). Horse Chestnuts contain flavonoids, sterols, and tannins. Studies have identified a saponin known as Aescin as the active constituent in horse chestnut extracts, which has been found effective in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins and edema, and can be applied topically or internally. Extracts of the seeds, leaves and bark of the horse chestnut tree (aesculus hippocastanum ) have been traditionally used in Europe for vascular degeneration, hemorrhoids, water retention, cough, rheumatism, phlebitis, skin problems and other ailments. People with kidney or liver conditions should avoid horse chestnuts or any horse chestnut extracts, as the aescin may worsen their functions. Reactions such as nausea, stomach upsets, and itching are another possibility in people sensitive to horse chestnuts.
Quercetin (quercitin, quercetrin) is chemically related to a class of flavonoids called (pro)anthocyanins. Early research on quercetin suggested that ingesting higher amounts may induce cancer, after it failed a standard - but somewhat controversial laboratory test called the Ames Test . This test supposedly identifies chemicals that might be carcinogenic. Subsequent studies however disputed those earlier findings and attributed cancer-protective or cancer-fighting properties to quercetin instead. In addition, quercetin has been found to be an effective hyperthermia sensitizer , making it a potential adjunct therapeutic agent in the treatment of various cancers that are sensitive to heat stress (prostate, ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer, leukemia, melanoma, colon adenocarcinoma, and others). However, I have seen a few patients who developed cancerous tumors after supplementing quercetin - which proves that positive outcomes in experimental studies are not necessarily reflected when applied in the "Real World." At the same time, patient feedback on the touted anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory aspects of quercetin has not been all that favorable either, so while this is not intended to discourage anyone from using it for a specific condition (particularly when found beneficial), quercetin nevertheless fits the "Caveat Emptor" category. A number of research studies have come to the final conclusion that low concentrations of flavonoids are protective in rat H4IIE cells, while high concentrations apparently cause DNA damage and cell apoptosis. Quercetin is not the first to be listed among naturally occurring carcinogens and mutagens found in foods and beverages. Many phytochemicals contained in common fruits, vegetables, spices, grains, seeds, coffee, tea, nuts, mushrooms, and herbs are rodent carcinogens, while for instance Psoralens (found in parsnips, celery and parsley), are considered to be human carcinogens, as is acrylamide, contained in crisp breads or rolls, which is also a neurotoxin. Ingesting large amounts of Grape Seed Extract has shown liver toxicity in some animal studies as well. Nevertheless, test tube and animal studies - where many times astronomical amounts of food fractions are used - have generally little relevance to normal human consumption of the same types of foods, but they make great headlines, or they may assure next year's research grant for an otherwise starving research team. ¤
=================================================================================== Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) is the latest term replacing daily dietary reference values such as Adequate Intake (AI), Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), Estimated Average Requirements (EAR), Nutrient Reference Value (NRV), and Recommended Dietary Allowance / Intake (RDA / RDI). Rutin: DRI (RDA, EAR): 0-6 months 6-12 months 1-18 years 18 years + pregnant / lactating Therapeutic Range: Therapeutic Range: Usually taken in the form of Citrus Bioflavonoids : Therapeutic Range: Rutin and Hesperidin (and related flavonoid compounds) : Low Levels / Deficiency - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors: Vascular degeneration, vascular bleeding (bruising / capillary fragility, nose bleeds, periodontal bleeding, High levels / Overdose / Toxicity / Negative Side Effects - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors: Allergic reactions, skin rash, stomach ache, Sources of Rutin and Hesperidin: Mainly found in the rind, pulp, skin of fruits such as lemons, grapefruits, oranges, lime, grapes, cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, apples, berries..., vegetables such as green and yellow peppers, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, parsley..., also bee propolis, green tea, black tea, whole grains such as buckwheat. ¤ =================================================================================== General recommendations for nutritional supplementation : To avoid stomach problems and promote better tolerance, supplements should always be taken earlier, or in the middle of a larger meal. When taken on an empty stomach or after a meal, there is a greater risk of some tablets causing irritation, or eventually erosion of the esophageal sphincter, resulting in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is also advisable not to lie down immediately after taking any pills. When taking a very large daily amount of a single nutrient, it is better to split it up into smaller doses to not interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in food, or nutrients supplemented at lower amounts. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000-2010 Ronald Roth
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