Bioflavonoids (vitamin P) review

• Basics: a class of water-soluble plant pigments with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, antiviral, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

• Benefits: helps protect this vitamin C against oxidation, stimulates bile production, lowers cholesterol levels, treats and prevent cataracts, involved in maintaining the health of the collagen.

• Dosage: 500 mg per day is indicated for supplementation.

• Sources: citrus fruits, red wine, green tea, onions, grapefruit seeds, apples, ginkgo biloba, hawthorn and Chinese scullcap.

• Overdose: bioflavonoids are generally safe, high doses may cause diarrhea.

Editor's choice: Citrus Bioflavonoid

Citrus bioflavonoids work synergistically with Vitamin C. They each enhance the action of the other. Citrus bioflavonoids are needed for Vitamin C to be used effectively by the body. They also lengthen the effectiveness of Vitamin C by slowing down its breakdown. Citrus bioflavonoids help relieve allergies, fight viruses and the common cold, and support the reduction of inflammation. Click here for more information.

Rutin (vitamin P1)

Rutin is a member of bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids (bioavailable flavonoids, vitamin P) are a class of water-soluble plant pigments

with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, antiviral, and anti-carcinogenic properties. Rutin is a bioflavonoid that is related to hesperidin. It is a glucoside of quercetin. Rutin contains approximately 50% of quercetin. Rutin is a flavonol glycoside comprised of the flavonol backbone and the glycon rutinose. Rutin is a solid substance, pale yellow in appearance and only slightly soluble in water. It is much more soluble in water than its aglycone quercetin. Rutin is the basis of a whole group of bioflavonoids.

Rutin is a bioflavonoid that works with vitamin C and assists in reducing pain and intraocular pressure. Bioflavonoids are important nutrients due to their ability to strengthen and modulate the permeability of the walls of the blood vessels including capillaries. Rutin is a phenolic antioxidant and has been demonstrated to scavenge superoxide radicals. Rutin may also help maintain levels of the biological antioxidant reduced glutathione. Rutin is known to offer nutritional support to the circulatory systems including the capillaries in eyes. Rutin is especially helpful in preventing recurrent bleeding caused by weakened blood vessels. Rutin can be used to treat chronic venous insufficiency, glaucoma, hay fever, hemorrhoids, varicose veins , poor circulation, oral herpes, cirrhosis, stress, low serum calcium, and for cataracts. Rutin is used systemically but also topically in cremes and ointments that are applied to stimulate blood circulation and reduce capillary fragility in the body extremities.

Rutin is most abundant in apricots, buckwheat, cherries, prunes, rose hips, the whitish rind of citrus fruits, and the core of green peppers. Buckwheat is rich in proteins (12-15%) and essential amino acids such as lysine (5-7%) that are deficient in major cereal crops, and is also abundant in lipids, minerals (iron, phosphorus, and copper), and vitamins (B1 and B2) and rutin. Rutin is not found in other grains such as rice, wheat, etc. or beans.