| Bioflavonoids | |||||
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Bioflavonoids (or flavonoids - the two terms can be used interchangeable) are the different types of plant pigments that are responsible for the colours of many fruits and vegetables.
The bioflavonoids in fruits, vegetables and other plants are produced by the plant to protect them from attacks by insects, bacteria/fungus or bacteria.
Bioflavonoids are semi-essential nutrients, which means it is preferable to have an intake of these nutrients each day from the diet.
Bioflavonoids have an amazingly potent antioxidant effect on the body cells to reduce the effects of free radicals (and prevent ill health), even more so than the other more better-known antioxidants (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc).
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- Were once known as Vitamin P
- Prevent the formation of oxidised cholesterol (which causes blocked arteries and thus heart disease) through their antioxidant effects
- Have a beneficial effect in healing the walls of cells and capillaries
- Clinical trials show bioflavonoids hold promise in the treatment of capillary wall damage, healing bruising, varicose veins and hemorrhoids
- Bioflavonoids have anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activity
- Bioflavonoids work with other antioxidants to offer a system of protection for the cells in the body
- Bioflavonoids have a unique role in protecting vitamin C from oxidation in the body, which means the body can utilise benefits of vitamin C even more
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Why bioflavonoids are important
Bioflavonoids are referred to as "nature's biological response modifiers" because they can modify the body's reaction to allergens, viruses, and even carcinogenic substances.
There are four main types of bioflavonoids, which each have a different type of protective effect on the body:
- PCO (proanthocyanidins) - exist in grapes, wine and many plants
- Quercetin - are the most active of all the bioflavonoids
- Citrus bioflavonoids - includes rutin, quercetrin, hesperidin, naringin
- Green tea polyphenols - includes catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and proanthocyanidins
Bioflavonoids are useful for promoting good health because they have anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-ageing properties, as well as promoting structure and function in the circulatory system.
references
- Douglas RM, Chalker EB, Treacy B. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, 3, 2001
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Osiecki, Henry. The Physician's Handbook of Clinical Nutrition. 6th edition, 2001, BioConcepts Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. 7th Edition, 2005. Brooks Cole Publishing
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- CSIRO Antioxidant Fact Sheet (Australia)
- Nutrient Reference Values (Australia)
