Article Summary:
- The antioxidant properties of quercetin promote various health functions, including supporting lung health.
- Quercetin supports optimal lung functions by addressing pulmonary responses to oxidative stress — the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body.*
- Tesseract’s proprietary nutrient delivery technology enhances the absorption and bioavailability of quercetin to make its pulmonary support benefits a therapeutic reality.*
On average, we take 12-18 breaths per minute, better known as the normal respiratory rate. The human lung consumes 5 – 6 ml of oxygen per minute and transfers it to the bloodstream. In addition to respiration, the lungs balance pH and trap pathogens and dust particles in their mucus lining. Several factors, including unhealthy lifestyle, aging, pollution, and disease conditions, can compromise lung function, adversely impacting overall health.
Quercetin, a phenolic compound of the flavonoid family, is present in several food sources, including onions, broccoli, and apples. The most abundant of the flavonoids, quercetin has a high antioxidant activity that promotes various health functions, including respiratory health. Discussed below is how quercetin works to support lung support health and why you should include a quercetin supplement in your diet.
Quercetin Lung Support: How It Works
Although our lungs efficiently promote gas exchange, they are susceptible to insults from the external environment. Exposure to air pollution and altered oxygen tension can both cause oxygen to transform into reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Under normal conditions, the ROS/RNS concentrations in the lungs are minimized through the activity of antioxidants present within cells and in the fluids of the epithelial lining the lungs.
However, oxidative stress caused by external factors (environment) and internal factors (disease conditions or adverse immune responses) can create an imbalance between ROS/RNS concentrations and antioxidant capacity. Prolonged oxidative stress damages cellular protein, lipids, and DNA, leading to various pulmonary disorders.
As an antioxidant, quercetin eliminates free radicals and limits oxidative stress.* The following table highlights quercetin lung support by addressing pulmonary responses to oxidative stress1.*
How Quercetin Supports Lung Function |
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Pulmonary responses to oxidative stress |
How quercetin addresses oxidative stress in the lungs |
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Activation of oxidases: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases or NOXs are found on the membranes of leukocytes or white blood cells. NOXs are activated in response to bacteria or foreign elements in the lung. |
Quercetin limits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress by suppressing NOX production.* |
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Lipid peroxidation: Oxidative stress can trigger non-enzymatic oxidation reactions that form lipid hydroperoxides. The lipid hydroperoxides react with amino acid residues and participate in signaling pathways to generate more reactive by-products. |
Quercetin limits lipid peroxidation by neutralizing various reactive oxygen species.* As an antioxidant, quercetin reacts with free radicals and forms less reactive phenoxy radicals.* |
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Production of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases: These enzymes are endogenously produced in the lungs. Oxidative stress enhances these enzymes’ activities, adversely affecting several cell signaling pathways. |
Quercetin is a potent, competitive inhibitor of lipoxygenases (LOXs) and other polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) metabolizing enzymes.* |
Quercetin further inhibits various protein kinases and is involved in the activation (Nrf2 pathway) and inhibition (NF-κB) of cell signaling pathways to enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes to promote pulmonary health.*
Although quercetin is abundant in your regular diet, its poor bioavailability and absorption undermine its efficacy. Various pharmacological approaches, including nano-delivery technologies, such as cyclodextrins, can enhance the solubility and absorption of quercetin, resulting in quercetin being more stable and bioavailable than free quercetin.
Including A Quercetin Supplement in Your Diet
Tesseract Medical Research has two unique quercetin supplement formulations — QuerciSorb Immuphore SR® and QuerciSorb® — both of which can promote healthy immune and cardiovascular functions.*
QuerciSorb Immuphore SR® is a nanoformulated quercetin supplement that also contains other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc, tofurther support healthy immune function.* Enhanced immune function in the respiratory system helps recognize and eliminate foreign elements from the respiratory tract while maintaining homeostasis and healthy lung function.*
QuerciSorb® downregulates exaggerated immune responses and supports healthy blood pressure through optimal vasodilation and inhibiting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol oxidation — all of which support optimal pulmonary function.*
The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables unprecedented absorption of quercetin molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract. The CyLoc® technology encases quercetin molecules in its smart delivery system, while the accompanying DexKey® reactors release quercetin molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract for optimal absorption.
The result is an efficacious quercetin lung support formulation, making the benefits of this potent antioxidant bioflavonoid a bioavailable therapeutic reality.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing absorption and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they can help support your pulmonary health..*
Citations:
1Rogers LK, Cismowski MJ. Current opinion in toxicology vol. 7 (2018): 37-43. doi:10.1016/j.cotox.2017.09.001