Everything about quercetin – effect, requirement, intake & dosage

Quercetin is a bright yellow natural dye that belongs to the flavonoid group of phytochemicals. Quercetin Quercus velutina owes its name to the safflower oak, a tree native to North America in whose bark quercetin was first discovered. Plants produce quercetin in their metabolism to protect themselves against harmful environmental influences such as UV radiation, pests, viruses, fungi and bacteria. Accordingly, the highest concentrations can also be found on the surfaces of the plants – in the skins, bark and petals.

In addition to protecting the plant world, quercetin also holds its protective hand over human health. Its nickname as the “king of the flavonoids” is due to the fact that it is considered one of the most antioxidant-effective flavonoids. Even the famous catechins in green tea cannot compete with its free radical scavenger qualities. Its remarkable antioxidant potential also makes quercetin a valuable health protection agent for us. After all, many symptoms, aging processes and metabolic disorders can be associated with an increased amount of free radicals.

In addition, further positive properties for quercetin have been demonstrated in studies. According to the current results, quercetin is, among other things:

• Antioxidative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-allergic
• Immunomodulatory
• Age-delaying due to senolytic effect

All of these valuable properties make Quercetin an exciting supporter when it comes to maintaining health. However, even if your health has become unstable, quercetin – specifically used as a phytotherapeutic agent – can be beneficial. Based on current studies, we have summarised the most promising areas of application below:

Quercetin for better sports performance and physical recovery

Improve sporting performance without training more? According to studies, quercetin (in the form of the raw material brand Quercefit® with 20 times higher bioavailability than unformulated quercetin) makes this possible. In a placebo-controlled human study with 48 healthy amateur triathletes, the efficacy of 250 mg Quercefit® twice daily after swimming (750 m), cycling (20 km) and running (5 km) was investigated. The before and after comparison showed that Quercefit® not only maintained the physical resilience of the athletes, but also led to a faster recovery. Also the oxidative stress experienced by the athletes taking Quercefit® was significantly lower than that of the control group.

Quercetin for allergies and asthma

Sneezing, colds, itching. If the body’s defences overreact, quercetin can is there to help. This is also confirmed by a current human study, which was able to demonstrate the soothing effect of quercetin (as Quercefit®) in the case of common allergic complaints. In a randomised controlled clinical pilot study, 58 patients with mild to moderate asthma and rhinitis were given Quercefit® as a supplementary treatment during the allergy season. After the 30-day supplementation with 250 mg or 500 mg Quercefit® daily (corresponds to 100 mg or 200 mg quercetin respectively) the well-being and seasonal symptoms of the subjects were assessed. Quercefit® reduced the frequency of symptoms during the day by up to 50% and at night by up to 70% and improved respiratory function significantly.

Quercetin in viral respiratory tract infections

Does this sound familiar? A cold can be a real torment. One way to relieve your stricken body and get back on your legs more quickly is quercetin. Its antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial for viral respiratory tract infections. For example, the use of quercetin (as Quercefit®) in the early stages of COVID-19 proved beneficial and was able to reduce the symptoms of viral infection in a randomised controlled clinical study and prevent the development of a more severe form.

Although there is no defined daily requirement for quercetin, abundant intake via the diet is widely considered to be very beneficial. If you want to take the flavonoid in a targeted manner, you can seek advice from a healthcare professional. The dosage recommendations are derived from studies and are generally between 250 and 500 mg daily. In the short term (up to 12 weeks), the dosage can also be increased.

The raw material brand Quercefit®, of which 250 to 500 mg per day are also recommended, is considered particularly effective. Whilst only 100 mg pure quercetin is contained in 250 mg Quercefit®, the bioavailability of quercetin is increased and up to 20 times higher due to its unique processing method (Phytosome® technology).

Quercetin is found in countless plant-based foods. Particularly large amounts of the antioxidant are found in capers, herbs and green vegetables, in onions, apples and berries as well as in various types of tea. However, the quercetin content of these foods can decrease greatly from harvest to plate.

Not only do weeks of transport and storage time reduce the quercetin content. The flavonoid is also lost during cooking and by peeling (e.g. apple or pear peel). In addition, the cultivation of a food affects the concentration of the valuable protective substance. In one study, organic tomatoes contained almost 80 percent more quercetin than conventionally grown ones. And last but not least, the variety is also important. According to analyses, older apple varieties have more polyphenols (including quercetin) than newer strains (e.g. Golden Delicious).

As part of phytotherapy, physicians recommend quercetin preparations with a precisely defined active substance content. The “first choice dietary supplement” should ideally not contain any unnecessary additives. This applies especially if the product is taken for a longer period of time under medical consultation.

In order to optimally exploit the potential of quercetin, it is also advisable to look at the active substance itself, because not all quercetin is the same. This is proven by the Italian raw material brand Quercefit®, which supplies the maximum bioavailable quercetin thanks to its special production method. In Quercefit®, the valuable quercetin, which is obtained from the Japanese cord tree (Sophora japonica), is not freely available, but is encased in phospholipids from the sunflower. Thanks to this technological trick, which has been patented as Phytosome® technology, our body can absorb the quercetin contained particularly well. As one clinical study demonstrated, the bioavailability of Quercefit® is up to 20 times higher than that of standard quercetin.

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Flavonoids, also known as bioflavonoids, are a group of natural substances that give plants or fruits and vegetables their red, blue, light yellow and purple colour. Nature has around 8,000 compounds – all of which share their antioxidant effects. However, there are also overlaps in their numerous health-promoting effects. Studies have shown that each of these valuable substances often has a special health-promoting side. A quick glance at exciting natural materials plus quercetin:

Quercetin vs. fisetin

Fisetin is a yellow flavonoid found in onion, cucumber, apples, persimmon and strawberries, for example. While the use of quercetin appears promising, especially in sports, allergies and viral respiratory diseases, fisetin supports quercetin in anti-ageing matters. Studies indicate that Fisetin is a strong “senolytic”. Senolytics can induce the dissolution of so-called “senescent” (= old, damaged) cells, which otherwise contribute to numerous signs of aging. Animal studies have shown that this clean-up process improved the health and life span of the animals.

When to take quercetin: in the evening or in the morning?

Quercetin can be taken both in the morning and in the evening. However, it is best to choose the time of administration in such a way that it is integrated into the individual daily routine so it is not forgotten.

Daily dose: How much quercetin per day?

The efficacy of a quercetin preparation largely depends on the correct dosage, which can vary depending on the therapeutic indication. Experience has shown that most recommendations are in a dosage range of 250 to 500 mg quercetin daily. However, your therapist will be happy to advise you in order to select the right dosage for you.

What is the best way to take Quercetin?

For good tolerability, quercetin should best be taken with a meal. Ideally, the meal should also contain a little fat, as this supports the absorption of quercetin from the intestine.

How quickly does quercetin work?

How quickly you can expect an effect by taking quercetin depends on several factors. The purpose and dosage play a major role here. It is best to seek advice from your doctor regarding your individual requirement.

How is quercetin absorbed?

Quercetin is absorbed predominantly via the small intestine. However, due to its fat solubility, the absorption of pure quercetins is difficult. For this reason, quercetin preparations should always be combined with a slightly fatty meal.

But there is also a simpler, more effective way to get the most out of quercetin – with the raw material brand Quercefit®. In Quercefit®, the valuable flavonoid is not freely available due to the innovative Phytosome® technology, but is enveloped by phospholipids from sunflowers. Phospholipids are substances that consist of a water-loving and water-repellent part and enclose the quercetin extract with a double membrane. This biochemical trick makes it easier to absorb quercetin via the intestinal wall and to carry it into the bloodstream. The superiority of Quercefit® is also confirmed by studies. Thus, Quercefit® is absorbed about 20 times better than "simple" quercetin.

Should quercetin be taken permanently?

In high-quality nutritional supplements, quercetin is present in a form and dosage that – unless otherwise declared on the label – was designed for longer-term use. The flavonoid is absorbed at all times via food. If in doubt, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional.

There are no special studies on the efficacy and possible side effects of quercetin for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Prospective and new mothers should therefore refrain from taking quercetin.

There are currently no studies available on the use of quercetin in childhood and adolescence. Although there is no evidence that the flavonoid would be problematic for children or adolescents, for safety reasons it is recommended to refrain from using it until further research results are available.

Conclusion: Quercetin is a gift from nature. The "king of flavonoids" is an exciting new addition to the field of health care thanks to its broad range of health benefits. Even if your health is getting a bit wobbly, it can still be beneficial. Studies show that the targeted intake of quercetin is particularly promising for improving sporting performance as well as helping with allergies and respiratory tract infections, and it even has benefits in the area of healthy ageing.