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Article Summary:
If your regular diet contains onions, broccoli, fruits (apples, grapes, berries), herbs, tea, and wine, then you are already consuming some quercetin — a plant-derived polyphenol, to support healthy immune function. Quercetin is known for its antioxidant activity and for scavenging free radicals to protect cellular components from oxidative stress. However, the poor absorption of quercetin undermines its efficacy, highlighting the need for an advanced quercetin supplement formulation.
This article addresses common queries about quercetin — how it promotes immune responses, potential side effects/contradictions of quercetin supplements, and the benefits of including one of the best quercetin supplements for immune support in your diet.
The immuno-supportive and antioxidant properties of quercetin support the health of the heart, kidneys, immune system, skin, brain, and gastrointestinal system. At present, the effects of quercetin intake at or above one gram daily for longer than 12 weeks are yet to be determined. Also, there is no conclusive evidence on quercetin’s effects on pregnant or lactating women. It is always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before including a quercetin supplement for immune support in your diet.
Quercetin’s antioxidant properties help balance various cell signaling pathways to maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response and exert beneficial effects on immune function. The following table highlights how quercetin benefits1 immune function. Are all these statements in the table covered by the one reference?
| Quercetin’s Benefits for Immune Support | |
| Inhibiting histamine release*: Histamine is a signaling chemical involved in local immune response communication. Quercetin helps stabilize mast cells that release histamine in the body.* | |
| Inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production*: Quercetin modulates the NF-κβ1 and Iκβ cell signaling pathways to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines — the activated immune cells (macrophages) involved in the up-regulation of immune reactions.* | |
| Inhibiting the production of leukotrienes*: Quercetin inhibits the production of leukotrienes, the mediators produced in white blood cells that cause adverse immune responses, such as the tightening of airway muscles.* | |
| Enhancing Th1/Th2 balance*: T-helper (Th) cells are critical to adaptive immune responses. Quercetin enhances the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells, thus promoting a healthy immune response.* | |
| Down-regulation of antigen-specific IgE antibody formation*: Quercetin inhibits the formation of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that trigger antigen-specific allergic reactions.* |
There is no significant reported toxicity or side effects of quercetin, and it is generally considered safe to be consumed as a nutritional supplement. However, ingesting a high amount of quercetin can cause diverse effects, such as depletion of intracellular glutathione content.
Quercetin can interact with certain medications by reducing their absorption and effectiveness and raising the risk of side effects. Consult a health-care practitioner to know more about potential contraindications before including quercetin in your diet or taking it with a prescription medication.
The naturally poor bioavailability and absorption of quercetin undermines the efficacy of most quercetin supplements. Only 3-17 percent of quercetin glucoside2 — the most absorbable form of quercetin — is absorbed in healthy individuals after ingesting 100 mg. Various approaches have been implemented to enhance quercetin’s bioavailability and absorption, including nano-delivery technologies, such as cyclodextrins. Formulated quercetin has been found to be more stable and bioavailable than free quercetin.
Tesseract Medical Research’s QuerciSorb Immuphore SR® is an innovative nanoformulated quercetin supplement in combination withvitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc, to support healthy immune function. The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables unprecedented absorption of quercetin molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract. The result is optimal absorption and effectiveness for each quercetin molecule, making its benefits a bioavailable therapeutic reality.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s supplement can support your healthy immune function.*
Citations
1Mlcek J, et al. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 21,5 623. 12 May. 2016, doi:10.3390/molecules21050623
2Li Y, et al. Nutrients vol. 8,3:167. 15 Mar. 2016, doi:10.3390/nu8030167
Article Summary:
Gut health plays a significant role in the body’s ability to function and is closely associated with immune health, cardiovascular health, and neurological health. The gut microbiome consists of trillions of microbes and hundreds of species of bacteria and is a crucial indicator of gut health. An imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut can result in the loss of beneficial bacteria, the overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria, and the loss of overall bacterial diversity. A wide range of adverse health issues, including digestive disorders, autoimmune pathologies, and sleep difficulties, can arise from gut microbiome imbalance.
Supplements for digestive health help replenish the gut microbiome with beneficial bacteria and promote healthy gastrointestinal function.* Let’s look at the benefits of several ingredients in digestive health supplements, how they promote gut health, and how Tesseract’s revolutionary nutrient delivery technology optimizes the absorption of these active nutrients.*
Nutritional supplements that promote digestive health can be broadly classified into —
Digestive enzymes, such as amylase, lipase, protease, lactase, and sucrase, comprise an additional class of nutritional supplements for promoting digestive health that break complex nutrients into smaller, more easily absorbable particles.
Before including one or more nutritional supplements for digestive health in your diet, it is essential to understand the benefits of their ingredients. The following table highlights the therapeutic benefits of several digestive health supplement ingredients.
| Digestive Health Supplement Ingredients and Their Benefits | |
| Ingredient | Effects |
| Ginger | Promotes gastrointestinal motility1; decreases fermentation, constipation, and other causes of bloating and gas; is an antioxidant and promotes a healthy inflammatory response in the gut.* |
| Cinnamon | Promotes2 glucose metabolism and enhances digestive enzymatic activities; helps lower cholesterol and fatty acid absorption in the gut; promotes a healthy gut microbiome and protects against intestinal pathogens.* |
| Citronella | Acts as a detoxifying agent and supports a healthy inflammatory response in the gut; promotes3 a healthy intestinal microbiome.* |
| Orange | A great source of vitamin C; balances4 the composition and metabolic activity of gut microbiota.* |
| Lavender | Enhances intestinal motility; promotes5 gastric juice production; and protects against intestinal pathogens.* |
| Bitter Orange | An antioxidant that stimulates6 digestive function; traditionally used to address several gastrointestinal disorders, including constipation and indigestion.* |
| Clove | Contains the polyphenol eugenol7 that enhances gut microbiota; protects against intestinal pathogens; and promotes a healthy inflammatory response in the gut.* |
| Oregano | Promotes8 intestinal villi function, leading to enhanced nutrient absorption; contains thymol and carvacrol that help limit harmful bacterial growth in the small intestine.* |
| Thyme Oil | Balances immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract; protects9 the stomach’s lining; protects against intestinal pathogens; and supports a healthy inflammatory response in the gut.* |
| Marjoram Oil | Stimulates10 the peristaltic movement of the intestine; aids in digestion and pepsin secretions; and displays mucus-protecting effects in the intestinal tract.* |
| Black Seed Oil | Elevates11 gastric mucin content, free acidity, and glutathione levels; lowers gastric mucosal histamine content, thereby supporting a healthy inflammatory response in the gut.* |
| Butyric Acid | Increases the level of glutathione, thus resulting in neutralizing free radicals in the gut; enhances12 the barrier function of colonocytes; balances gut microbiota; and balances immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract.* |
The therapeutic effects of the above substances on gut health are often compromised due to the poor absorption of their bioactive compounds. An advanced nutrient delivery system can enhance the solubility and bioavailability of these active nutrients and make them a therapeutic reality.
Tesseract Medical Research’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® technology enables unprecedented absorption of active nutrient molecules to enhance the efficacy of digestive health supplements. Tesseract’s CyLoc® technology encapsulates individual molecules of active nutrients in its smart delivery system. Tesseract’s accompanying DexKey® reactors release each molecule at the desired point in the intestinal tract to achieve maximum absorption.
The following digestive health supplements developed by Tesseract Medical Research utilize this proprietary nanomolecular technology to achieve optimal absorption of active nutrients, thus providing optimal support for gastrointestinal function.
The above supplements for digestive health are formulated following Good Manufacturing Practices and utilize scientifically advanced techniques and a well-designed quality control system to provide you with well-rounded nutritional support.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s nutritional supplement can support your gastrointestinal health.*
Citations:
1Hu M-L, et al. World Journal of Gastroenterology vol. 17,1 (2011):105-110. doi:10.3748/wjg.v17.i1.105
2Liu, Yaoyao et al. Foods (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 12,20 3852. 20 Oct. 2023, doi:10.3390/foods12203852
3Sharma, Ruchi et al. Current drug discovery technologies vol. 16,4 (2019): 330-339. doi:10.2174/1570163815666180718095041
4Lima, Ana Carolina Delgado et al. Journal of medicinal food vol. 22,2 (2019): 202-210. doi:10.1089/jmf.2018.0080
5Baker, J et al. American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology vol. 303,7 (2012): G825-36. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00327.2011
6Suntar, Ipek et al. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity vol. 2018 7864269. 2 May. 2018, doi:10.1155/2018/7864269
7Rodrigues M, et al. Food & Function vol. 13,6 3381-3390. 21 Mar. 2022, doi:10.1039/d1fo03619j
8Jia, Li et al. “Oregano Essential Oils Mediated Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolites and Improved Growth Performance and Intestinal Barrier Function in Sheep.” Frontiers in immunology vol. 13 908015. 12 Jul. 2022, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.908015
9Placha, Iveta et al. “Effect of thyme oil on small intestine integrity and antioxidant status, phagocytic activity and gastrointestinal microbiota in rabbits.” Acta veterinaria Hungarica vol. 61,2 (2013): 197-208. doi:10.1556/AVet.2013.012
10Bina, Fatemeh, and Roja Rahimi. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine vol. 22,1 (2017): 175-185. doi:10.1177/2156587216650793
11Shakeri, Farzaneh et al. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine vol. 6,1 (2016): 9-20.
12Liu, Hu et al. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) vol. 9,1 (2018): 21-29. doi:10.1093/advances/nmx009
Article Summary:
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, commonly known as statins, are FDA-approved lipid-lowering drugs used to lower the risks of cardiovascular pathologies. Statins lower the concentrations in the blood of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), while elevating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations. Although statin intake is a preventative measure to lower cholesterol levels, it also lowers the circulating level of CoQ10, which can result in muscle pain, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, and tiredness. Research indicates1 that a daily intake of 30-200 mg of CoQ10 in supplemental form can address these statin-induced muscular disorders.
Cholesterol production in liver cells involves the conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) by the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. Statins inhibit the activity of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, thus limiting the intracellular production of cholesterol. It is worth noting that statins can significantly lower cholesterol levels because most of the circulating cholesterol in the blood comes from the internal production of cholesterol in liver cells rather than from the diet.
Statins also exert protective cardiovascular effects by stabilizing plaques in and on the artery walls and enhancing endothelial cell functions, resulting in vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels) and thus improved blood flow.
CoQ10’s production pathway shares several steps with cholesterol’s production pathway. As a result, statin therapy also lowers2 the level of circulating CoQ10, thus adversely impacting musculoskeletal health. The following table highlights how statin intake affects muscles and how CoQ10 intake counters these adverse effects.*
| CoQ10 and Statins: Effect on Musculoskeletal Health | ||
| Increase in Creatine Kinase (CK): The CK enzyme is found in skeletal muscles, heart muscles, and the brain. Statin intake is associated with an elevated CK level in some individuals. An elevated CK level can indicate damage to skeletal muscle or heart muscle. Supplementing with CoQ10 has been shown3 to restore CK activity to baseline levels.* | ||
| Musculoskeletal toxicity: Circulating CoQ10 is critical for energy production in the skeletal muscles. Statin-induced depletion of CoQ10 can cause musculoskeletal toxicity, resulting in muscle cramping, soreness, fatigue, and, in rare cases, rapid muscle breakdown. CoQ10 supplementation enhances CoQ10 concentration in muscle cell membranes, thus countering this statin-induced muscular pathology4. |
The efficacy of CoQ10 supplementation to address muscle pain and cramping caused by statin therapy is well established5. Unfortunately, the poor bioavailability and absorption of CoQ10 compromises the effectiveness of most oral CoQ10 supplements.
CoQ10 is at the core of cellular energy production, and its antioxidant properties limit the toxic effects of free radicals on cardiac tissues and muscles. CoQ10 benefits for the heart and its role in countering the side effects of statin therapy make it a widely consumed nutritional supplement for promoting cardiovascular health.*
However, the relatively high molecular weight of CoQ10, its instability, and its limited solubility compromise its therapeutic benefits. Only three percent of plain CoQ10 is estimated to be absorbed when taken orally. To counter this, various delivery approaches have been implemented with the purpose of increasing the absorption of CoQ10. One such approach – encasing CoQ10 with cyclodextrins – has been found to enhance CoQ10’s bioavailability and absorption compared to unformulated CoQ10.
Tesseract Medical Research’s CoQ10 Pro® is an innovative CoQ10 complex that utilizes a proprietary cyclodextrin technology — the CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery technology. Each molecule of CoQ10 is encased in a dextrin fiber delivery cage and released at the desired point within the intestinal tract, resulting in maximum absorption. This targeted delivery of highly effective CoQ10 to heart and muscle tissue counters the adverse effects of statins.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s nutritional supplements can support your cardiovascular health.*
Citations
1Littlefield N, et al. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners vol. 26,2 (2014):85-90. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12046
2Littarru, Gian Paolo, and Peter Langsjoen. Mitochondrion vol. 7 Suppl (2007): S168-74. doi:10.1016/j.mito.2007.03.002
3Forester BP, et al. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology vol. 25,1 (2012):43-50. doi:10.1177/0891988712436688
4Skarlovnik, Ajda et al. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research vol. 20 2183-8. 6 Nov. 2014, doi:10.12659/MSM.890777
5Banach, Maciej et al. Mayo Clinic proceedings vol. 90,1 (2015): 24-34. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.08.021
Article Summary:
Flavonoids — a class of polyphenolic compounds found in plants, have been historically known for positive health benefits, particularly for the heart. Quercetin is the most abundant dietary flavonoid in several foods, including citrus fruits, apples, berries, grapes, olives, onions, parsley, sage, tea, and red wine. Quercetin provides significant heart-related benefits and has a well-demonstrated safety and tolerance profile, leading to its FDA GRAS (Generally Considered As Safe) status for use as a nutritional supplement.
If you are considering including a quercetin supplement in your diet, then it is worth knowing its cardiovascular support benefits. Let’s look at how quercetin promotes healthy heart function and why you should include an advanced quercetin formulation in your diet.
Increased oxidative stress is a common cause of cardiovascular pathologies. Some of the leading indicators for cardiovascular disorders include high blood pressure and high cholesterol, resulting in narrowed arteries and compromised blood circulation. In conditions such as high blood pressure and the buildup of plaques in the inner lining of arteries, the release of free radicals is greater than the body’s natural antioxidant capacity.
Because quercetin exhibits powerful antioxidant activity, it protects cardiac cells from the adverse effects of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS).* Clinical studies1 show that quercetin can limit ROS-induced oxidative damage by enhancing the body’s level of glutathione (GSH).* Quercetin also modulates2 the expression of antioxidant-related genes in specific cells, which also alleviates oxidative stress.*
Furthermore, quercetin’s role in maintaining the body’s normal inflammatory response in fat cells can inhibit lipid accumulation and help limit the cardiac pathologies associated with unhealthy weight gain.* The following table highlights how quercetin provides support for good cardiovascular health.*
| How does Quercetin affect Heart Health? | ||
| Helping maintain normal blood pressure* | Randomized controlled trials3 have shown the significant benefit of quercetin supplementation (500 mg/ day or more) in helping to maintain normal blood pressure levels.* | |
| Addressing LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels* | Quercetin modulates4 cell signaling pathways, particularly the TLR-NF-κB pathway, that inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), thus lowering its level.* | |
| Maintaining healthy arteries* | Quercetin inhibits5 the expression of adhesion molecules or cell surface proteins in aortic endothelial cells, helping to maintain healthy arteries.* | |
Although the cardioprotective effects of quercetin are well-established, quercetin’s poor natural bioavailability can adversely impact its efficacy. Quercetin glycoside — the naturally occurring form of quercetin, has been shown to display an estimated absorption rate of 3% -17% in healthy individuals receiving 100 mg of quercetin daily. This is because after initial absorption in the upper segment of the small intestine, quercetin undergoes extensive metabolism in the liver, small intestine, colon, and kidneys, resulting in quercetin and its metabolites then being rapidly excreted from the body.
Key factors hindering the absorption of quercetin include its poor solubility in water and its instability in the stomach and intestines. Among several approaches to enhance the bioavailability and absorption of quercetin, nanoformulations show promising potential.
Quercisorb SR®, developed by Tesseract Medical Research, is an innovative nutritional supplement that contains extracts from the flower Sophora japonica and provides significant support for heart health.* The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables Quercisorb SR to be time-released in individual molecule form at desired points throughout the intestinal tract. Tesseract’s CyLoc® technology encases each quercetin molecule in its own dextrin fiber delivery cage, after which Tesseract’s DexKey® technology releases each quercetin molecule in the intestinal tract for maximum absorption and effectiveness. The resulting enhanced solubility and absorption of quercetin optimizes its therapeutic efficacy in providing comprehensive cardiovascular support.*
All Tesseract nutritional supplements are manufactured following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and combine the highest-quality nutrients with cutting-edge delivery systems to support your health.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s products can support your cardiovascular health.*
Citations:
1Xu, Dong et al. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 24,6 1123. 21 Mar. 2019, doi:10.3390/molecules24061123
2Qi, Weidong et al. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 27,19 6545. 3 Oct. 2022, doi:10.3390/molecules27196545
3Serban M-C, et al. Journal of the American Heart Association vol. 5,7 e002713. 12 Jul. 2016, doi:10.1161/JAHA.115.002713
4Bhaskar S, et al. Immunobiology vol. 216,3 (2011): 367-373. doi:10.1016/j.imbio.2010.07.011
5Li C, et al. Redox Biology vol. 9 (2016):104-113. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2016.06.006
Article Summary:
Quercetin and turmeric are plant-derived bioactive compounds that help maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response.* As antioxidants, both quercetin and turmeric protect the body from the adverse effects of free radicals.* Several studies have established the therapeutic role of these compounds in supporting immune health.* However, when selecting the best immune support supplement, you might wonder about quercetin’s vs. turmeric’s benefits. Let’s look at the difference between these bioactive compounds and how they work to support immune function.
It is worth noting that immune responses result from the activation of various white blood cells or leukocytes, including B cells, T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells, among others. Although a weakened immune system can make your body prone to different infections, an overactive immune system can also result in adverse immune responses. Compounds such as quercetin and turmeric strengthen your body’s defense against insults and help maintain the body’s natural inflammatory responses.*
Quercetin is the most active flavonoid (a class of plant-derived bioactive pigments that give the flower and fruit their color). Curcumin, a part of the curcuminoids class, is a natural yellow pigment extracted from the root of turmeric (Curcuma longa). The following table highlights quercetin and turmeric properties — some key differences between these compounds, including their functions and interactions with different biochemical pathways to exert therapeutic effects on immune function.
| Quercetin vs. Turmeric: The Best Immune-Support Supplement | ||
| Quercetin | Turmeric (Curcumin) | |
| Immunomodulatory effects* | Exerts1 an immunosuppressive effect on dendritic cell functions — initiator and master regulator of antigen-specific immune responses.* Plays a role3 in stabilizing mast cells and gastrointestinal cytoprotective activities that directly regulate immune cell functions.* | Alters2 the circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines — the proteins involved in the up-regulation of immune responses.* Inhibits4 cytokine production and cell proliferation by inhibiting NF-κB target genes involved in inducing immune responses.* |
| Antioxidant effects* | Modulates the antioxidant activity of vitamin C.* | Similar to the activity of other antioxidants, such as vitamin C.* |
| Mechanism of action | Interacts with the calcium channels in cell membranes, thereby blocking the first messenger of intracellular signaling of the immune system.* | Interacts5 with neutrophils to inhibit their response to various stimuli and inhibits the synthesis of leukotrienes — the inflammatory mediators produced by leukocytes.* |
Although quercetin and turmeric work through different signaling pathways, both positively affect immune health.* Including these compounds in your regular diet as nutritional supplements can promote healthy immune function.*
The poor bioavailability of quercetin and turmeric is a challenge to their absorption and limits the efficacy of most quercetin and curcumin supplements. Tesseract Medical Research’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® technology encapsulates individual active nutrient molecules to maintain their integrity as they transit the body and enables optimal absorption at the desired point in the intestinal tract.
QuerciSorb® Immuphore SR is a unique quercetin supplement formulation that also contains other bioactive ingredients, including zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D. The unprecedented absorption through Tesseract’s smart delivery system makes quercetin a bioavailable therapeutic reality to support immune function.*
TetraCumin®, a Tesseract immune-support supplement formula, contains tetrahydrocurcumin — a curcumin derivative with superior bioavailability. The nano-delivery of the tetrahydrocurcumin molecule masks its bitter taste, while the targeted delivery optimizes its absorption to promote healthy immune function.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s supplement can support your immune health.*
Citations:
1Huang, Ren-Yeong et al. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) vol. 184,12 (2010): 6815-21. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.0903991
2Peng, Ying et al. Drug design, development and therapy vol. 15 4503-4525. 2 Nov. 2021, doi:10.2147/DDDT.S327378
3Pearce FL, et al. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology vol. 73,6 (1984):819-823. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(84)90453-6
4Kim, Ji H et al. Molecular nutrition & food research vol. 56,3 (2012): 454-65. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201100270
5Larmonier CB, et al. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases vol. 17,2 (2011):503-615. doi:10.1002/ibd.21391
Article Summary:
As we age, changes in our bodies are inevitable. Some factors that affect healthy aging, such as genetics, are not in our control. However, other factors, like regular exercise and a healthy diet, are within our reach for maintaining the quality of our lives as we age. Although a balanced and healthy diet should provide the necessary nutrients for older adults, nutritional supplements can fill most gaps in the diet. Berberine is one such natural compound that promotes healthy aging. On the other hand, metformin is an FDA-approved antidiabetic agent used to address high blood sugar levels. However, metformin is also known for its ability to slow aging.
Let’s look at berberine’s and metformin’s healthy-aging benefits and understand why you might want to include a berberine supplement in your diet.
Aging is characterized by cellular growth arrest, impaired tissue and organ function, and slowing metabolism, thereby impacting lifespan. The following cellular mechanisms are considered to be among the primary causes of aging.
Several studies establish the role of plant-derived compounds in protecting cells against oxidative stress and diminishing the risk of age-associated pathologies.
Berberine is derived from the roots, rhizomes, and stem barks of barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric. Berberine beneficially influences several biochemical pathways, particularly AMPK, and plays a positive role in glucose metabolism, fat metabolism, weight management, and modulating gut microbiota to exert positive metabolic effects.
Historically, metformin has been derived from the plant Galega officinalis, commonly known as galega or goat’s rue. It also activates the AMPK pathway to enhance glucose sensitivity, exerts cardioprotective effects, limits age-associated cognitive decline, and helps arrest the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
So, which one of these two bioactive compounds works better to promote healthy aging? The following table highlights berberine’s vs. metformin’s healthy-aging benefits.
| Berberine and Metformin’s Healthy-Aging Benefits | ||
| Benefits | Berberine | Metformin |
| Supports glucose metabolism*: Aging leads to lesser sensitivity of muscles and other tissues to insulin. | Berberine, via activation of AMPK, stimulates glucose uptake in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue.* | Metformin enhances insulin sensitivity through AMPK and AMPK-independent mechanisms to suppress hepatic glucose production and stimulate glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissues. |
| Promotes cardiovascular health*: Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) accumulation with aging causes hardening and narrowing of arteries. | Berberine helps maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting its intestinal absorption.* For elderly individuals who are intolerant to statin medication, berberine can serve as a suitable adjunct to cholesterol management.* | Metformin lowers free fatty acid and triglycerides levels in the body through various biochemical pathways, thereby lowering LDL levels and promoting heart health. |
| Supports healthy weight management*: Aging is closely associated with slower metabolism and subsequent weight gain. | Berberine down-regulates adipogenesis — the accumulation of fat cells or adipocytes at various sites in the body.* Berberine also helps inhibit cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis in the liver, which supports weight management efforts.* Berberine has been found to enrich the population of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut microbiota that helps promote the synthesis of butyrate. When butyrate enters the blood, it helps lower lipid and glucose levels to promote healthy weight management. | Metformin’s role in inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis (the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrates) is considered the primary reason for its weight loss activity. Emerging evidence1 also suggests that metformin plays a role in modulating the appetite-regulating centers in the brain and altering the gut microbiome to promote weight management. |
Although berberine and metformin have different chemical structures, they share several mechanisms of action that promote healthy aging. It is worth noting that metformin is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used as an anti-diabetic agent and is available only by a prescription. In contrast, berberine is a nutritional supplement available over-the-counter. However, it is always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before including a new nutritional supplement in your diet.
A major challenge with berberine is its poor bioavailability and palatability, which undermine its efficacy. Tesseract Medical Research’s BerberActiv® is an innovative nutritional supplement that contains solubility-enhanced berberine extracted from the roots of Berberis aristata. The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology masks the intense bitterness of berberine, while ensuring the optimal absorption of billions of berberine molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract. This means your body gets the required nutritional support for healthy aging.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in the proprietary science of proven nutrients and unrivaled smart delivery, making them the most effective for supporting healthy aging.*
Citations:
1Yerevanian A, Alexander AS. Current Obesity Reports vol. 8,2 (2019):156-164. doi:10.1007/s13679-019-00335-3
Article Summary:
Are you experiencing sudden hair loss? In women, hair loss can be due to several reasons, such as stress, hormonal changes, medical conditions, and side effects of medications. Certain medical conditions can result in an imbalance in hormone levels in the female body, which can lead to sudden and noticeable hair loss.
The therapeutic effects of berberine are well-known for supporting endocrine health and maintaining healthy hormone levels.* So, can berberine help with hair loss, too? Let’s look at how berberine limits the impact of oxidative stress on hair health* and may address hair loss.
Various hormones influence the hair cycle and hair follicle structure. Some of the hormones that can impact hair health are —
Patterned hair loss involves progressive hair follicle miniaturization — a hormone-driven process in which hairs shrink in size over time, resulting in a balding scalp. Unlike male-patterned baldness, pattern hair loss in females is an overall thinning of the normal hairline.
The following table highlights its influence on the body’s hormones with regard to hair health, suggesting berberine’s potential role in limiting hair loss in females.
| How Does Berberine Influence Hormones for Hair Health? | |
| Alleviating insulin resistance and promoting insulin secretion: Insulin stimulates the ovaries to over-secrete androgens, which can play a role in hair loss. Berberine, an antioxidant, protects the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, which promotes insulin secretion and reduces insulin resistance through various cellular signallingpathways, such as the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway.* | |
| Lowering the level of serum androgen: Androgen receptor levels are typically high in females who are experiencing hormonal imbalance and subsequent hair loss. Various studies1 show that berberine can reduce androgen levels by enhancing sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels and suppressing androgen receptor signaling.* | |
| Maintaining estrogen levels: There is growing evidence2 that berberine helps maintain estrogen levels, thereby minimizing the negative consequences (such as hair loss) of low estrogen levels.* | |
| Influencing cortisol levels: An increased circulating level of cortisol has been found to impair insulin sensitivity. Because berberine attenuates insulin resistance, it can play an indirect role in influencing cortisol levels.* | |
| Restoring thyroid function: Berberine has been found3 to help restore normal thyroid function in individuals suffering from thyroid disorders, further suggesting berberine may have a beneficial role in indirectly impacting hair growth cycles.* |
There is ongoing research on berberine’s role in minimizing hair loss in various endocrine conditions.* The antioxidant property of berberine and its ability to maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response has led to its extensive use as a nutritional supplement. Because raw berberine is usually not part of a regular diet, including a berberine supplement in your diet to support hair health appears to be a suitable option.*
Tesseract Medical Research’s BerberActiv® is a unique berberine supplement available in both quick- and sustained-release formulations. Powered by Tesseract’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery technology, BerberActiv® transcends the common absorption and palatability challenges associated with berberine. With unprecedented absorption, this berberine supplement will support your endocrine system and optimize hair health.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s products can support your endocrine health.*
Citations:
1Xie L, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM vol. 2019 7918631. 13 Dec. 2019, doi:10.1155/2019/7918631
2Caliceti C, et al. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity vol. 2015 (2015): 723093. doi:10.1155/2015/723093
3Han Z, et al. Frontiers in Immunology vol. 12 826067. 10 Jan. 2022, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.826067
Article Summary:
An unhealthy gut is characterized by less microbial diversity than a healthy gut. If you have an unhealthy gut, then it can lead to an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria, promoting a series of biological events that can put your health at risk. Recent studies establish the gut-brain connection and how the health of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract also impacts our emotional health, and vice-versa.
Maintaining a healthy gut is imperative to supporting your overall health. Including gut health supplements, such as probiotics and prebiotics, in a regular diet is often a popular approach to enhance microbial diversity and promote healthy gut function.
In this article, we highlight the benefits of gut health supplements, particularly butyrate nutritional supplements, and why you should include an advanced butyrate supplement formulation in your diet.
What we eat is critical in balancing the good and bad bacteria in our gut. A high-sugar or high-fat diet can negatively influence gut bacteria and often result in insulin resistance and higher body mass index. In addition, prolonged antibiotic use is known to cause lasting changes to the gut flora by killing off beneficial bacteria along with harmful ones.
Good bacteria in the gut are a natural part of the body and help in digestion, supporting immune function, and maintaining the natural inflammatory response in the GI tract. Several foods, drinks, and nutritional supplements can enhance the population of the beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. The following table highlights the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics as critical dietary components for supporting good gut health.
| Probiotics | Prebiotics | Postbiotics |
| Live microorganisms or beneficial bacteria that support the microbial community in the GI tract. | Substances that feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut and stimulate their growth. | The bacterial products or metabolic byproducts produced by microorganisms during the anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients. |
| Food sources, including high-quality plain yogurt and fermented foods such as kimchi, contain healthy bacterial strains. | Food sources include breastmilk, soybeans, raw oats, legumes, and high-fiber fruits and vegetables. | Examples of postbiotics include short-chain fatty acids, certain vitamins, and several amino acids and enzymes. |
Butyric acid (or butyrate), a short-chain fatty acid produced by the gut microbiome, beneficially influences intestinal cells, adipose (fatty) tissues, hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, and blood vessels through several signaling pathways. Some of the critical gut health benefits of butyrate include:
It is worth noting that including a postbiotic supplement, such as butyrate, in the diet can be helpful for individuals who are otherwise intolerant to a high-fiber-rich diet. However, it is critical to select an advanced butyrate supplement formulation to ensure optimal bioavailability and absorption of this beneficial short-chain fatty acid.
ProButyrate® — a hypoallergenic butyrate formulation developed by Tesseract Medical Research, uses the proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery system that enables unprecedented bioavailability and palatability. This innovative delivery breakthrough makes obsolete conventional butyrate supplementation through butyrate mineral salts or a sodium butyrate enema.
AuRx® is another innovative butyric acid formula, especially designed to meet the nutritional requirements of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is a medical food that counteracts the gut-brain nutrient imbalance often observed in children with ASD and alleviates the behavioral changes common to an ASD child. The nanodelivery technology reimagines the butyric acid supplement to make it a highly absorbable therapeutic reality.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s supplements can support your gastrointestinal health.*
Citations:
1Canani RB, et al. Gastroenterology vol. 127,2 (2004):63063-4. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2004.03.071
2Siddiqui MT, Gail AMC. Journal of Inflammation Research vol. 14 6025-6041. 18 Nov. 2021, doi:10.2147/JIR.S300989
Article Summary:
Berberine is a plant-derived alkaloid — a class of nitrogenous organic compounds that support a wide range of health functions.* The therapeutic effects of berberine have been known for many years, and it has been traditionally used across different cultures. Extensive research has established berberine’s benefits and safety profile, especially its role in supporting glucose and lipid metabolism and healthy weight management.*
Through various biochemical pathways, berberine promotes healthy hormone levels, particularly testosterone, insulin, and estrogen. Its role in modulating testosterone — a primary sex hormone in males — and exerting sex-specific effects indicate a close association between berberine and men’s health.*
Berberine’s therapeutic effect on men’s health is attributed to its antioxidant properties and ability to help maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response.* These properties of berberine help limit oxidative damage to the male reproductive system and exert protective effects on sperm viability and motility rate to enhance sperm functions.
| System | Beneficial Applications |
| Endocrine System |
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| Cardiovascular System |
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| Hepatic System |
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| Neuro-Hormonal System |
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| Immune System |
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Although berberine and men’s health are closely associated, the poor absorption of berberine, and its intensely bitter taste, hinder patient compliance and therefore its efficacy. Less than one percent of berberine is absorbed in the body due to its physico-chemical properties, rapid degradation, and rapid elimination from the body.
Various approaches have been used to enhance berberine’s palatability, bioavailability, and absorption. Advances in formulation technology, especially nanotechnology, have enabled enveloping berberine alone or with other agents to enhance its efficacy as a nutritional supplement.
Tesseract Medical Research’s BerberActiv® is an innovative, nanoformulated bioactive berberine complex that provides nutritional support for the endocrine, cardiovascular, hepatic, and immune systems.* The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology used in the supplement formulation transcends the common absorption and palatability issues of berberine, making its therapeutic benefits a reality.
The CyLoc® technology encapsulates individual berberine molecules in its smart delivery system to retain their integrity and mask bitterness. The accompanying DexKey® reactors release each active nutrient molecule at the desired point in the intestinal tract for maximum absorption. The enhanced absorption of berberine enables micro-dosing — the intake of berberine in lesser amounts than previously required, to achieve rapid physiological responses. The result is unparalleled nutritional support for men’s health.*
The power of Tesseract’s nutritional supplements lies in the proprietary science of proven nutrients and unrivaled smart delivery, making them the most effective for supporting endocrine health.*
Citations
1Cao C, Meiqing S. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine vol. 17,4 (2019): 3009-3014. doi:10.3892/etm.2019.7295
2Shabani, E, et al. MC Complementary Medicine and Therapies vol. 21,1 301. 20 Dec. 2021, doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03472-2
3Devarbhavi H, Asrani SK, Arab JP, et al. J Hepatol 2023 Aug;79(2):516-537. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.017. Epub 2023 Mar 27. PMID: 36990226.
Article Summary:
Are you considering including a Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplement in your diet? Well, you are not alone. Globally, CoQ10 is among the most frequently consumed nutritional supplements for supporting cardiovascular health.* The therapeutic benefits of CoQ10 are attributed to its antioxidant properties and its ability to maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response.* In addition to supporting optimal functioning of the heart, CoQ10 also promotes immune function, skin health, and reproductive health.* Although CoQ10’s health benefits are well established, the efficiency of different CoQ10 supplement types is often debated.
Below, we discuss the different CoQ10 supplement types, their absorption and efficacy, and why you should consider an innovative, nano-formulated CoQ10 supplement.
Although CoQ10 is endogenously produced in the body, its level depletes as we age. Other factors, such as unhealthy diet, certain pathologies, and genetic predispositions can also play a role in lowering the body’s level of CoQ10. In such conditions, CoQ10 intake through diet alone might not be sufficient to enhance an already depleted level. This is when you need a CoQ10 supplement. But what type of CoQ10 supplement should you consider?
Commercially available CoQ10 nutritional supplements include:
Single CoQ10 capsule doses are available in 30, 60, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 600 mg. Although there is no minimum or maximum effective dose, it is currently recommended to take 200 mg of CoQ10 twice daily with a meal to maintain a CoQ10 blood level of > 2.5 mcg/mL.
But are there differences in the efficacy of different CoQ10 supplement types? In the body, CoQ10 exists in two forms — Ubiquinol (reduced form) and Ubiquinone (oxidized form). Based on their demand for various cellular functions, these two forms are continuously interconverted in the body through natural processes called redox reactions. The relative bioavailability of these two CoQ10 supplement types has been much debated, leaving users confused about the most effective CoQ10 supplement.
95 percent of circulating CoQ10 in the body occurs as ubiquinol. When ubiquinol is taken orally as a CoQ10 supplement, gastric acid in the stomach oxidizes it to ubiquinone. However, once past the stomach, the ubiquinone is then converted back to ubiquinol through multiple biochemical pathways. The following table highlights the key differences between ubiquinol and ubiquinone.
| Ubiquinol versus Ubiquinone | ||
| Ubiquinol | Ubiquinone | |
| Chemical form | The reduced form of CoQ10 (CoQ10H2) | The oxidized form of CoQ10 (CoQ10) |
| Function | Antioxidant protection to cellular membrane lipids and lipoprotein lipids present in circulation.* | Involved in the electron transport chain in mitochondrial inner membranes for energy production.* |
Due to the unstable nature of ubiquinol, CoQ10 supplements have been conventionally formulated only in the ubiquinone form until very recently. Nanoformulations involving encapsulation techniques now make it possible to manufacture CoQ10 supplements in the ubiquinol form.
The conversion of ubiquinone to ubiquinol in gastrointestinal cells was previously thought to enhance the initial absorption of CoQ10 in the body, leading to the assumption that the ubiquinol form better facilitates the absorption process. However, several studies1 show there is no significant difference between the bioavailability of ubiquinone and ubiquinol supplements. This is because the solubilized formulations of CoQ10 (both ubiquinol and ubiquinone) have superior bioavailability than unformulated CoQ10.
CoQ10 has been traditionally produced through the microbial fermentation process when it is to be used as a nutritional supplement. However, the poor bioavailability of CoQ10 has led to the implementation of innovative formulation approaches, including nanoparticle complexes that display enhanced absorption of this important antioxidant molecule.
Tesseract Medical Research’s CoQ10 Pro®, an innovative CoQ10 supplement complex, utilizes the proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology for unprecedented absorption of billions of CoQ10 molecules in the intestinal tract — one molecule at a time. The CyLoc® technology encapsulates individual CoQ10 molecules in its smart delivery system, while the DexKey® reactors release each molecule at the desired point in the intestine. The sustained release and unparalleled absorption of CoQ10 help mitigate oxidative stress to cardiac muscles and support the optimal functioning of your heart.*
The power of Tesseract’s nutritional supplements lies in the proprietary science of proven nutrients and unrivaled smart delivery, making them the most effective for supporting cardiovascular health.*
Citation
1Bhagavan HN, Chopra RK. Mitochondrion 2007 Jun;7 Suppl:S78-S88. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2007.03.003. Epub 2007 Mar 27. PMID: 17482886.
