The Aesthetics Advisor

Imagine a country in which it is possible to walk into a pharmacy and, without a prescription, buy a 15 cent pill that, if taken once or twice a day, could help prevent diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and dementia. OK, now stop imagining. Because you don’t need to. That country already exists. Even as the evidence mounts that metformin might delay most major diseases of aging in humans, it remains stuck behind the counter—available only by prescription—thanks to its designation as a regulated substance in most countries, including the United States and Australia. But in countries like Thailand, metformin can be picked up at every corner pharmacy. Now, before going any further, let me remind you: I’m just a scientist with a Ph.D., and not a “real doctor.” I don ‘t give medical advice. I’m not going to tell you, or anyone else, that you should take metformin. What I am going to do is shed light on the current discussion around metformin, while highlighting the research I’ve seen in my o

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. 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