Quercetin and Bromelain for Allergies 2023
More than 50 million Americans who live with seasonal allergies. These symptoms
tend to crop up with the onset of tree allergy season, followed by grass and
weed season, notes Kevin McGrath, MD, an allergist in private practice in
Wethersfield, Connecticut, and spokesperson for the American College of Allergy,
Asthma, and Immunology.
"The combination of trees, grasses, weeds, and molds makes for a difficult spring for most allergy patients and leads to sneezing, congestion, postnasal drip, sinus pain and pressure, watery eyes, and fatigue," he says.
The good news is that there are a myriad of over the counter treatments out there that help ease the debilitating symptoms that accompany seasonal allergies.
While the best way to get quercetin is through your diet, it also
is available in supplement form, as pills or capsules. Sometimes,
quercetin in supplement form is packaged with bromelain, an enzyme found
in pineapples, because both have anti-inflammatory properties (Quercetin
& Bromelain for inflammation). Most dietary supplements contain a
chemical compound, aglycone, which is the free form of quercetin.
When looking for and using quercetin supplements, it’s important to maintain a nutritious, balanced diet with fiber and healthy fats in it, as research shows that accumulation of quercetin in the body is dependent on “factors such as glucose moieties, solubility, human factor, vitamin C status and food matrix.”
Specifically, research also says that quercetin supplementation is best achieved when consumed with a fat-enriched diet.
There are foods high in quercetin that you can add to your diet. Arguably, red onions are some of the most potent sources of quercetin; one study found that absorption of onion-derived quercetin was 52% compared to only 24% in supplement form. In fact, onions can give you three times the amount of quercetin than you’d get from apples. Other food sources that are high in quercetin include:
Its first primary source was the pineapple fruit,
before it was discovered that the mature pineapple stem had much more
concentrated bromelain content.
Through the years after its discovery, the production of bromelain has broadened. Its commercialization has led manufacturers into developing faster extraction techniques for large-scale production and purification. Today, bromelain supplements are used for numerous health approaches.
These uses have been observed to be dependent on the time when it is taken. For example, if taken after a meal, bromelain may help promote better digestion and absorption, but when taken on an empty stomach, it can help alleviate inflammation (Daily Mail).
"The combination of trees, grasses, weeds, and molds makes for a difficult spring for most allergy patients and leads to sneezing, congestion, postnasal drip, sinus pain and pressure, watery eyes, and fatigue," he says.
The good news is that there are a myriad of over the counter treatments out there that help ease the debilitating symptoms that accompany seasonal allergies.
Related: Best Nasal Sprays for Allergies
What is Quercetin and Bromelain?
Studies have shown bromelain combined with quercetin, produce greater
anti-inflammatory benefits than either one used alone. Thus, the combination
of bromelain and quercetin is ideal for effectively inhibiting the
inflammatory response in both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.
What Is Quercetin?
Quercetin is an antioxidant that belongs to a class of water-soluble
plant substances called flavonoids, which are present in certain fruits
and vegetables. According to an article in Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science, the
bioavailability of quercetin absorbed by your body varies, depending on
the source where you get it, as well as your individual body’s
metabolism of it. Sugar and dietary fat and fiber also affect it.
When looking for and using quercetin supplements, it’s important to maintain a nutritious, balanced diet with fiber and healthy fats in it, as research shows that accumulation of quercetin in the body is dependent on “factors such as glucose moieties, solubility, human factor, vitamin C status and food matrix.”
Specifically, research also says that quercetin supplementation is best achieved when consumed with a fat-enriched diet.
There are foods high in quercetin that you can add to your diet. Arguably, red onions are some of the most potent sources of quercetin; one study found that absorption of onion-derived quercetin was 52% compared to only 24% in supplement form. In fact, onions can give you three times the amount of quercetin than you’d get from apples. Other food sources that are high in quercetin include:
- Organically grown apples, grapes and tomatoes
- Dark cherries and dark berries like blueberries, blackberries and bilberries (eaten in moderation)
- Cocoa, unsweetened
- Hot green chili peppers
- Lingonberries
Related: Best Quercetin Supplement 2022
What is Bromelain?
Bromelain, or pineapple extract, is a compound made up of proteases normally found in pineapples. Although it is widely known for its ability to aid in digestion and protein breakdown, its use far transcends these functions and can actually offer a lot more. The good news is that it's available in the market as a supplement and as an aid for disease treatments.
The history of bromelain is heavily linked to pineapple because it is the only known major source for this group of enzymes. First discovered in 1891 by chemist Vicente Marcano and then subsequently elaborated by Russell Henry Chittenden, another chemist, bromelain was first called "bromelin," and described as the "proteolytic ferment of pineapple juice."
The history of bromelain is heavily linked to pineapple because it is the only known major source for this group of enzymes. First discovered in 1891 by chemist Vicente Marcano and then subsequently elaborated by Russell Henry Chittenden, another chemist, bromelain was first called "bromelin," and described as the "proteolytic ferment of pineapple juice."
Through the years after its discovery, the production of bromelain has broadened. Its commercialization has led manufacturers into developing faster extraction techniques for large-scale production and purification. Today, bromelain supplements are used for numerous health approaches.
These uses have been observed to be dependent on the time when it is taken. For example, if taken after a meal, bromelain may help promote better digestion and absorption, but when taken on an empty stomach, it can help alleviate inflammation (Daily Mail).
Quercetin and Bromelain for Allergies
Quercetin has been linked to counteracting allergic reactions and helping with immune responses. Bromelain is a known supplement for relieving sinusitis symptoms. Together with quercetin, bromelain can help alleviate sinus inflammation, with quercetin functioning as an antihistamine.
Do not take supplements without consulting your doctor. The
information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one
relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not
intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge
and information from the research and experience of third party sites.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical
condition, consult your health care professional before using products
based on this content.
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