Can This Supplement Help Prevent Cancer?
Approximately 38.4% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes (source). Cancer treatments can come in many different forms, and part of my job is to find natural solutions to prevent and treat cancer. So today we’re going to discuss the supplement, quercetin, and cancer.
What is Quercetin?
Quercetin is a type of flavonoid antioxidant, found in foods like:
- Leafy greens
- Tomatoes
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Capers
- Peppers
- Black and green tea
- Beans and legumes
- Olive oil
- Cocoa
- Red wine
Because of Quercetin’s antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties, it has been linked to health benefits, such as:
- Increased longevity
- Better heart health
- Increased endurance
- Strong immune system
Quercetin can also help manage symptoms of allergies, infections, chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions.
Quercetin and Your Health
“Quercetin plays a role in regulating the immune system’s response to outside stressors through cell signaling pathways called kinases and phosphatases, two types of enzyme and membrane proteins needed for proper cellular function” (source).
My favorite way to describe quercetin comes from The Truth About Cancer:
Quercetin, in particular, has a very low reactivity rate and has a strong desire to donate its spare electron to protect the body. This is similar to a peaceful child who freely gives up one of his or her own toys in order to satisfy the demands of another child who is throwing a fit because he wants a toy. Because of this act, the classroom of children remains calm and is able to avoid or reduce a major disturbance or quiet down a disturbance that had started.
Some studies have demonstrated that quercetin can help reduce this neuropathic damage and the unwanted side effects that come with it (source).
Flavonoids, including quercetin, are very important antioxidants that quench oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and protect the body from the development of chronic disease and cancer.
Quercetin’s Antiviral Properties
Research shows that quercetin exhibits antiviral properties. This means it can protect the body against infections, especially viruses. One study showed that quercetin “caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the infectivity” of several viruses (source).
A virus is an infectious agent that enters your body’s cells and reproduces. When this happens, the virus inserts its DNA into the host. This is the same way cancer cells work. Click here to read more about silent infections and their connection to cancer.
Quercetin and Cancer
A study done by the Boston University School of Medicine found a link between quercetin and a lower risk of cancer (source).
According to the study, “Quercetin has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and prevents cancer. Quercetin inhibits the growth of certain malignant cells in vitro, and histamine and most cyclin-dependent kinases and also displays unique anticancer properties. Quercetin is a natural compound that blocks substances involved in allergies and is able to act as an inhibitor of mast cell secretion, causes a decrease in the release of tryptase, MCP-1 and IL-6 and the down-regulation of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA from few mast cell lines. Quercetin is a safe, natural therapy that may be used as primary therapy or in conjunction with conventional methods.”
Other studies suggest that quercetin (and other flavonoids) can stop cancer cell mutation and tumor growth, as well as help with symptoms from chemotherapy and radiation.
Cancers Affected by Quercetin
Cancers that have shown to react positively to quercetin are:
- Leukemia – quercetin has been shown to induce cell death in leukemia (source).
- Lung cancer – researchers found that lung cancer cell growth was suppressed by quercetin (source).
- Breast cancer – cell growth activity was reduced and proliferation was inhibited when breast cancer cells were treated with quercetin (source).
- Neuroblastoma – one study investigated the effects of quercetin on neuroblastoma cells and found it can induce apotosis (cell death). This “suggests that quercetin can be used as a potent anti-cancer drug in future” (source).
- Colon cancer – “study suggests that quercetin can affect growth of DLD-1 cells by both decreasing polyamine biosynthesis and inducing apoptosis” (source).
- Ovarian cancer – findings of one study “reported that quercetin inhibits ovarian cancer by its anti-inflammatory, pro-oxidative, anti-proliferation, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle arrest induction activities” (source).
- Endometrial cancer – one study suggests a reduction in endometrial cancer risk with quercetin intake (source).
Many believe that too much iron contributes to cancer cell growth, and quercetin protects your body from absorbing too much iron.
How Much Quercetin Should You Take?
The amount of quercetin you get from food is about 5-40 milligrams, but only 30-50% of that gets absorbed into your bloodstream.
The recommended dose is 400 mg per day.
Neurologist Russell Blaylock recommends 3 grams of quercetin, along with curcumin to minimize side effects from chemotherapy. Quercetin plus curcumin are actually considered the “dynamic duo of anti-cancer flavonoids” (source).
dōTERRA Alpha CRS+
One way to do get quercetin, plus other powerful antioxidants for cellular health, is to take dōTERRA’s Alpha CRS+. It’s a proprietary formula combining potent levels of natural botanical extracts. Alpha CRS+ supports healthy cell function with important metabolic factors of cellular energy.
Here are some primary benefits:- Supports healthy cell function by reducing oxidative stress to DNA and other critical cell structures
- Supports healthy response to oxidative stress in cells
- Supports cellular energy by supporting healthy mitochondria and by supplying metabolic factors of energy production
- Supports healthy cellular immune function
- Supports mental clarity and brain function
- Contains a proprietary antioxidant cellular longevity blend that includes potent amounts of powerful polyphenols to help support healthy cell function
- Includes tummy tamer botanical extract blend to prevent stomach upset
Original Post: https://groovybeets.com/quercetin-and-cancer/
