Flavenoids(Flavinoids) are a group of plant pigments that are largely responsible for the colours of many fruits and flowers. Many of the medicinal actions of foods, juices, herbs, and bee pollen are directly related to their flavonoid content. Over 4000 flavonoid compounds have been characterized and classified according to chemical structure.

One of the most beneficial groups of plant flavonoids is the proanthocyanidins. These flavonoids provide many health-promoting benefits.

Quercetin Quercetin is a flavonoid that serves as the backbone for many other flavonoids, including the citrus flavonoids rutin, quercitrin, and hesperidin. Quercetin is consistently the most active of the flavonoids in experimental studies, and many medicinal plants owe much of their activity to their high quercitin content.

Citrus Bioflavonoids Citrus bioflavonoids preparations can include rutin, hesperidin, quercitrin, and naringin. Hydroxyethylrutosides (HER) has been used in the treatment of capillary permeability, easy bruising, hemorroids, and varicose veins.

Green Tea Both green tea and black tea are derived from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). Green tea is produced by lightly steaming the fresh-cut leaf, while to produce black tea the leaves are allowed to oxidize. During oxidation, enzymes present in the tea convert many " polyphenol" substances that possess outstanding therapeutic action to compounds with much less activity. With green tea, oxidation is not allowed to take place because the steaming process inactivates these enzymes. THe term polyphenol denotes the presence of a phenolic ting in the chemical structure The major polyphenols in green tea are flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and proanthocyanidins).

Key Benefit As a class of compouds, flavenoids have been referred to as "nature's biological response modifiers" because of their ability to modify the body's reaction to other compounds sach as allergens, viruses, and carcinogenic properties. In addition, flavenoids act as powerful antioxidants by providing remarkable protection against oxidative and free-radical damage

Proanthocyanidins extracts demonstrate a wide range of pharmacological activity. Their effects include:

 increase intracellular vitamin C levels decrease capillary permeability and fragility scavenge oxidants and free radicals inhibit destruction of collagen the most abundant protein in the body 

Quercetin has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity because of direct inhibition of several initial processes of inflammation. For example, it inhibits both the manufacture and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory mediators. In adition, it exerts potent antioxidant activity and vitamin C-sparing action.

Citrus Flavonoids In addition to possesing antioxidant activity and an ability to increase intracellular levels of vitamin C, rutin, and hesperidin exert many beneficial effects on capillary permeability and blood flow. They exhibit also some of the anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory benefits of quercetin.

Green Tea Green tea polyphenols are potent antioxidant compounds that have demonstrated greater antioxidant protection that vitamins C and E. Green tea may also increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Green tea polyphenols inhibit cancer by blocking the formation of cancer-causing compounds and suppressing the activation of carcinogens.

Food sources Good sources of flavonoids include citrus fruits, berries, onions, parsely, legumes, green tea, and red wine

Daily Dosage

As a preventive measure and as antioxidant support, a daily dose of 50 mg of either the grape seed or pine bark extract is suitable.

The recommended dosage range for quercetin is 200 to 400 mg 20 minutes before meals (tree times daily)

Citrus Bioflavonoids In addition to possesing antioxidant activity and an ability to increase intracellular levels of vitamin C,

Green Tea The suggested daily dosge of polyphenols is 240 to 320 mg, equal to about 3 cups of green tea

Safety Issues

 extracts are extremely safe, no side effects have been reported. 

Quercetin is apparently well tolerated in humans, although allergic reaction may occur.

Citrus bioflavonoids, rutin, hesperidin, and Hydroxyethylrutosides appear to be extremely safe and without side effects.

Green tea is not assosiated with any significant side effects or toxicity. If preparations contain caffein, overconsumption may produce a stimulant effect.

Products containing flavonoids

 Fossil fuel (PCO) MSM (PCO, Quercetin, Rutin, Green Tea, Polyphenols) Power Antioxidant (Green Tea, Polyphenols) Super Avengers (PCO, Green Tea, Polyphenols AP300 (Citrus Bioflavonoidsd) 

References and Links

 Balch, J. F., & Balch, P. A. (2000). Prescription for Nutritional Healing. New York: Avery, Penguin Putnam Inc. Murray, M. T. (1996). Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Roseville: Prima Publishing.