Article Summary:
- Quercetin and turmeric exert protective effects by limiting oxidative stress and stimulating antioxidant defense processes on a cellular level.
- The poor bioavailability and absorption of these active nutrient molecules hinder their efficacy.
- Tesseract’s QuerciSorb® and TetraCumin® are unique quercetin and curcumin supplement formulations with enhanced bioavailability for supporting your immune health.*
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.
Quercetin or Turmeric: Which One Supports Your Immune Health Better?
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.*
Including an Immune Health Supplement in Your Diet
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