Vitamin P - Bioflavonoids
BIOFLAVONOIDS are also known as Phytochemicals, Vitamin P, and Vitamin C2. There are approximately 2000 known bioflavonoids which have been identified to date. Some include eriodictyol, hesperetin, hesperidin, nobiletin, quercetin, rutin, sinensetin, and tangeretin. Bioflavonoids act as an antioxidant, preventing Vitamin C and adrenaline from being oxidized by copper-containing enzymes. They are best known for increasing the effects of Vitamin C and are considered a separate new class of nutrient.
Rutin is obtained from buckwheat and other plants and is partially replaceable by hesperidin. Today, Rutin is not being studied as much for its reported healing powers as much as for its potential use as an alternative sweetener.
Quercetin is the yellow pigment found in such foods as onions and lemon juice. While it has shown to inhibit cancer cell growth, it also appears to inhibit the activity of two enzymes which play an important role in the growth and development of mammary cells. Clearly, more research is required in this area. Quercetin may lessen or altogether prevent asthma symptoms and helps regulate blood sugar levels in diabetics. Derivatives of quercetin were found effective against a variety of viruses responsible for the common cold,. However, its effectiveness was only manifest in conjuction with Vitamin C -- which brings us to the question of whether it was the Vitamin C or a synergistic effect with the bioflavonoids. Hesperidin and quercetin have been found to be effective against herpes type 1, respiratory, and influenza viruses as well as having an effect on allergic reactions.
Bioflavonoids have domonstrated usefulness in preventing hemorrhoids, miscarriages, retinal bleeding in people with diabetes and HTN (hypertension), capillary fragility, nosebleeds, post-partum hemorrhage, menstrual disorders, blood clotting and platelet clumping, easy bruising, cataracts, and lessening the symptoms of oral herpes. They have also been implicated in lowering cholesterol levels if taken with Vitamin C. In addition, several classes of bioflavonoids have been found to have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties and many effective herbal medicines contain bioflavonoids.
