Health

Quercetin – An Alternative to Hydroxychloroquine, etc.


The disgruntled Substack Modern recently published an anthology series on the benefits of quercetin,first including the finding that it acts like hydroxychloroquine, a drug found to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 when given early enough.

Part 12 Start with a brief overview of what quercetin is and its basic mechanisms of action. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables, such as onions and shallots, apples, broccoli, asparagus, green peppers, tomatoes, red leaf lettuce, strawberries, and raspberries. sticky rice, blueberries, cranberries, black currants and green tea.

However, the quercetin content in any given food is largely dependent on light exposure, so depending on which country you’re in, different foods should be at the top of the rich list. most quercetin. The general mechanism of action of this nutrient includes:3

Antioxidant activity – Antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage from harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). Quercetin acts as a free radical scavenger and its activity can be further enhanced by vitamin C.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity – This is partly responsible for quercetin’s cardiovascular benefits

Inhibition of platelet aggregation

Antiallergic activities (inhibits release of histamine and other allergens)

Immune conditioning

Anti-cancer activity

Antiviral activity – It was found to reduce the replication of many viruses, including HIV, hepatitis C, enterovirus 71, swine fever virus and SARS-CoV-2, by target the proteases in these viruses

Zinc ionophore – Quercetin helps zinc get into your cells. Zinc, in turn, has powerful antiviral activity

Quercetin against SARS-CoV-2

In part 24 of the anthology, Modern Discontent looks at the evidence behind recommending quercetin against COVID-19 specifically. As already mentioned, zinc has antiviral activity and quercetin helps to bring zinc into the cells. But quercetin also has other mechanisms of action that make it useful in the fight against COVID-19.

For example, quercetin has been shown to:

Inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to bind to the ACE2 receptor.5,6,7 Computational modeling studies have shown that quercetin can bind to the ACE2 receptor and the mutant protein interface, thereby inhibiting both binding. By blocking the attachment of the virus, it helps to prevent the virus from entering the cell. Commenting on one of these studies, Modern Discontent noted:8

“Wearing” [a] study computer modeling,9 The evidence here suggests that the binding activity of quercetin to ACE2 is comparable to that of other standard-of-care drugs used to treat SARS-CoV-2 (eg, Remdesivir, Lopinavir, Ritonavir). ”

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor (LPS) production by factor α (TNF-α) in macrophages.ten (TNF-α is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation, secreted by activated macrophages, a type of immune cell that digests foreign substances, bacteria, and harmful or damaged components. other damage.)

Inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines and histamine by regulating calcium influx into cells.11

Stabilizes mast cells and modulates fundamental functional properties of the immune cell, thereby allowing it to inhibit “a wide range of molecular targets in the micropolar concentration range, by modulating reduce or block multiple inflammatory pathways and functions.”twelfth

Acts as a zinc ionophore, i.e. a compound that delivers zinc into your cells.13 This is one of the possible mechanisms explaining the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine, which is also a zinc ionophore.

Enhances interferon response to viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, by inhibiting the expression of casein kinase II (CK2)14 CK2 is a fundamental enzyme for the control of homeostasis at the cellular level. There is evidence that it regulates the ability of cells to make type 1 interferon when attacked by a virus.

It does this by inhibiting the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I),15 which contains protein sensors that signal the genetic expression of interferon type 1 by determining the replication of RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Quercetin inhibits the expression of CK2, slowing viral RNA replication.16

Interferons are a subset of cytokines discovered in 1957.17 These cells are usually the initial defense against viruses. There are two types and three forms of interferon. In type 1 interferon, there is alpha and beta. Interferon type 2 has a gamma form.18

The types differ based on the function of the cytokine. Interferon type 1 helps cells fight viruses. Type 2 aids in the response to infection and the growth of cancer. The name “interferon” comes from Type 1’s ability to interfere with the virus’s ability to replicate. Cells secrete interferon when a foreign substance, such as a virus, is detected.

However, interferon does not work by attacking viruses. Instead, it commands the infected cell and the cells surrounding the infected cell to produce proteins that prevent viral replication. In summary, quercetin prevents CK2 from interfering with type 1 interferon activity so that cells receive the signal to stop viral replication.

Inflammatory regulation of NLRP3, a component of the immune system involved in the uncontrolled release of proinflammatory cytokines that occurs during a cytokine storm.19

Performs a direct antiviral activity against SARS-CoV20,21,22 Quercetin’s general antiviral activity is attributed to three main mechanisms of action:

  1. Binds to the mutant protein, thereby inhibiting its ability to infect host cells23
  2. Inhibits the multiplication of already infected cells
  3. Decreased resistance of infected cells to antiviral treatment

Inhibits the main protease of SARS-CoV-2.24

Front Line Critical COVID-19 Care Alliance (FLCCC) early treatment protocol25 includes quercetin at a dose of 250 mg twice a day, combined with 100 mg of elemental zinc and 500 mg to 1,000 mg of vitamin C twice a day.

Quercetin in the COVID-19 Medical Document

In part 3,26 Modern Discontent looks at a number of clinical trials that have taken place. A specific study on COVID-1927 found that people taking zinc and two zinc ionophores — small quinine and quercetin — had a lower incidence of COVID-19 than a control group. Over the course of the study (20 weeks), only two of the 53 test subjects became symptomatic, compared with 12 of the 60 control subjects. As noted by Modern Discontent:28

“While this does not test quercetin in isolation, research shows that easily accessible, over-the-counter compounds can be extremely beneficial in combating COVID, particularly when taken as an preventive medicine.”

In another test,29 76 outpatients who tested positive but had only mild symptoms received 1,000 mg of Quercetin Phytosome® (quercetin in sunflower phospholipids increases oral absorption by 20-fold) daily for 30 days, in addition to standard regimen of care (analgesics, oral steroids, and antibiotics). Another 76 patients received standard care only.

In the quercetin group, only 9.2% of participants continued to require hospitalization, compared with 28.9% of patients receiving standard care alone. According to the authors:30

“The results showed a reduction in the frequency and duration of hospitalization, the need for noninvasive oxygen therapy, during transfers to the intensive care unit, and the number of deaths.

The results also confirm the very high safety of quercetin and suggest anti-fatigue and appetite-stimulating properties. QP [Quercetin Phytosome®] is a safe agent and, in combination with standard care, when used in the early stages of viral infection, can assist in improving initial symptoms and help prevent disease severity COVID-19. ”

Quercetin was also featured in two scientific reviews published in 2020.thirty first The first, published in the journal Integrative Medicine in May 2020,32 highlights the SIRT2 promotion of quercetin, which inhibits NLRP3 entry.

Second review,33 published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology June 19, 2020, highlighted the usefulness of quercetin as a treatment for COVID-19 when used in conjunction with vitamin C. Vitamin C recycles oxidized quercetin , produces a synergistic effect. It also enhances quercetin’s antiviral abilities.

Food makes medicine

With the advent of processed foods, many important nutrients have been lost or minimized in the average person’s diet. Quercetin, found in fresh fruits, vegetables and berries is one of them. Unfortunately, while essential vitamins and minerals are often recognized for their importance, antioxidants like quercetin are often overlooked, and sometimes labeled as “pseudo-scientific” supplements. ” or “out of fashion”. As noted by Modern Discontent:

“It is not possible to say too much about the benefits these compounds offer to humans… An argument can be made that not only can quercetin be shown to benefit our health, whose absence could be detrimental in the long run.”

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s been the importance of basic health and healthy immune function. In this regard, a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables can be of great help. Nutritional supplements have their place, too, especially in situations like a pandemic.

Summary

In summary, Modern Discontent provides a summary of the following findings:34

“There is evidence that quercetin may act similarly to hydroxychloroquine – It appears that quercetin may act as both an immunomodulator and a zinc ionophore. Its use as an over-the-counter anti-allergy supplement as well as its use for asthma shows the ability to affect the production of histamine and cytokines…

Quercetin has a lot of other benefits – … Antioxidants … are some of the most well-studied compounds that have potential to fight cancer and support the heart and internal organs. The supplement has possible antibacterial properties and it is hard to argue that this is nothing more than a supplement that can go out of style.

Although limited, there is some evidence that quercetin may be effective against SARS-CoV2 – Computer models and in vitro studies suggest that the major ACE2 receptors and proteases of SARS-CoV2 may be good target candidates for quercetin… a limited number of studies suggest quercetin can be effective, especially if used early or prophylactically.

Dietary quercetin is the main source of quercetin, and its deficiency in modern diets can contribute to our health problems – Quercetin is mainly derived from colorful fruits, vegetables, tea…all kinds of foods that many of our ancestors used to eat…other plant-based compounds have been found. plays an important role in our diet.

Similar to the reduction in sunlight exposure and the increased need for vitamin D supplementation, we may need to consider the possibility of adding overlooked compounds such as polyphenols. Sourcing these compounds from food would be most beneficial, but in groups of people who may not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, quercetin and polyphenol supplements may be helpful.

This would include people on alternative diets such as keto, who may avoid high-carb fruit, and therefore may be missing an important nutrient in their diet.

Quercetin has numerous benefits, and for those who may be lacking it in their diet, they may want to seek to source it by supplementing. Don’t take this as a prescription or a recommendation but as an argument to check your own health and see what you might be missing…”





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