Supplements

Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids are sometimes referred to as vitamin P (P stands for capillary permeability factor). Bioflavonoids are essential for the absorption of vitamin C, and should be taken together. Their pairing with Vitamin C is seen often in Vitamin C complexes, but this is just the beginning of the benefits found in Bioflavonoids supplementation.

Bioflavonoids are used extensively in the treatment of athletic injuries because they relieve pain, bumps, and bruises. They can contribute to pain reduction in the legs or across the back, and reduce symptoms associated with prolonged bleeding and low serum calcium.

Vitamin C and the citrus flavonoid hesperidin have no effect on menopausal symptoms when taken alone. However, when taken together, they eliminated hot flashes for a majority of a study's ninety-four participants. The flavonoid Genistein is what most researchers believe gives a diet high in soy a link to cancer protection. Similiarly, the flavonoids contained in green tea act as an anti-tumor sheild.

In addition to citrus many other plants contain bioflavonoids. Ginkgo biloba, for example, brings oxygen and energy into the brain, while bioflavonoids in hawthorn help the heart, and bilberry flavonoids improve night vision.

Quercetin, a bioflavonoid, acts as an antihistamine and may effectively treat and prevent asthma symptoms. Quercetin, may be more potent than vitamin E for disarming cholesterol's potential threat to the heart. A high intake of the nutrient corresponds to a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Quercetin, also prevents blood from thickening and more readily forming clots.

In addition to boosting the immune system, Quercetin accelerates the production of enzymes that rid the body of potential carcinogens. By reducing inflammation, it works against yet another process that might contribute to malignant growths.

Rutin, another bioflavonoid, can suppress tumors associated with colon cancer and delay the development of hypercholesterinemia and peroxidation syndrome, as well as aortal artherosclerotic affection.

Bioflavonoids have an antibacterial effect and promote circulation, stimulate bile production, and treat and prevent cataracts.

When taken with vitamin C, bioflavonoids also reduce the symptoms of oral herpes.

Additional bioflavonoids are: citrin, eriodictyol, flavones, hesperetin, herperidin, and rutin.

Deficiency: Capillary fragility. Bleeding gums, bruising.

Depleting Agents: Water, cooking, heat, light, oxygen, smoking.

Sources: Peppers, buckwheat, black currants, and the white skin and segment part of citrus fruit - lemons, oranges, grapefruit. Also found in apricots, blackberries, cherries, grapes plums, prunes, and rose hips.

Herb Sources: Chervil, elderberries, hawthorn berry, horsetail, rose hips, and shepherd's purse.

Precautions: No known toxicity. Extremely high doses may cause diarrhea.

Dosage Ranges and Duration of Administration: There are no RDA standards set at this point.

Available usually in a C complex or by itself. Most often there are 500 mg. of bioflavonoids to 50 mg. of rutin and hesperidin. (If the ratio of rutin and hesperidin is not equal, it should be twice as much rutin.

All C supplements work better with bioflavonoids. Most common doses of rutin and hesperidin are 100 mg. three times a day.

To combat allergies, arthritis, or other inflammatory ailments, Dr. Atkins advises patients to take, in divided doses over the course of the day, between 600 and 1,200 mg on an empty stomach. To guard against heart disease or cancer, 300-600 mg per day; and as a part of an aggressive cancer, treatment, a minimum therapeutic dosage starts at 1,500 mg a day.