Recent Research on Flavonoids

"More than 4,000 flavonoid compounds have been isolated from plants. Flavonoids are extremely potent antioxidants and have a wide array of biochemical functions."

Research has begun to focus on a class of nutrients called flavonoids. Flavonoids are part of a broader family of aromatic compounds called polyphenols and are responsible for many of the brilliant colors that you see in fruits and vegetables. More than 4,000 flavonoid compounds have been isolated from plants so far, and there are many more yet to be discovered.

Flavonoids are extremely potent antioxidants have a wide array of biochemical functions. They are involved in the immune function, gene expression, capillary and cerebral blood flow, platelet aggregation, liver function, enzyme activity, and collagen, phospholipid, cholesterol and histamine metabolism.

Pine bark extract contains proanthocyanidins but is more commonly known as Pycnogenol and is obtained from the European coastal fine (Pinus maritime). Pine Bark extract is involved in supporting the body's connective tissues and capillary blood vessel system, by binding the collagen fibers and protecting them from premature breakdown. It also enhances the activity of vitamin C. Red grape skin contains dark red-violet flavonoids called anthocyanins.

Studies show that these flavonoids are strong antioxidants, preventing the detrimental oxidation of blood lipoproteins, such as LDL cholesterol. So, follow in the French tradition, and have those two glasses of red wine each evening or take your flavonoid supplement.

The bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a Northern European cousin of the American blueberry and is a rich source of proanthocyanidins, as well as another class of flavonoids called anthocyanidins. Bilberry extract has a role in eye health, capillary stability, blood flow, healthy veins, and normal wound healing.

Ginkgo biloba has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for about 5,000 years. Ginkgo contains flavonoids called flavone glycosides and non-flavonoid phytochemicals called terpene lactones. It is a source of antioxidants and is involved in the maintenance of cerebral capillary action.

Milk thistle (Silybum mariamum) is a Mediterranean plant producing fruits that are rich in a group of flavonoids known collectively as silymarin. Silymarin has been shown to support healthy liver function under a variety of environmental stress conditions, including alcohol consumption, exposure to pollutants and other harmful substances. Silymarin also prevents lipid peroxidation caused by excessive free radical levels.

The last source of flavonoids we will discuss today is from green tea (Camellia sinesis). Green tea is widely consumed in the world, especially by the Chinese and Japanese. It contains polyphenolic catechins, substances which play important roles in the body's defense against free radicals and which help maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels.

As more information becomes available about these new nutrients, more companies are beginning to sell them. Here's what to look for to get the best quality supplement. The extraction process for grape skin extract and pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) has been patented in America, and this is currently the best source for these two flavonoids. For the rest, make sure you get a standardized extract. The amount of active ingredient in the pill has been standardized to guarantee a specific percentage. Otherwise all you may be getting is ground up leaves in a capsule. If the label does not say it's standardized, then it's not. These new substances are not cheap. If you find a formulation which seems very cheap, then look to your grass clippings.

Remember-synergy! Take all nutrients with a complete multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement for them to work effectively.

References

Hertzog MG, et al. Dietary antioxidant flavonoids and risk of coronary heart disease. The Zutphen elderly study. Lancet, 1993;342:1007-1011.

Hertzog MG, et al. Intake of potentially anti-carcinogenic flavonoids and their determinants in adults in the Netherlands. Nutr Cancer, 1993,20:21-29

Bu-Abbas A, et al. Marked antimutagenic potential of aqueous green tea extracts: mechanism of action. Mutagenesis, 1994;9:325-331

Kanner, et al. Natural antioxidants in grapes and wines. J Agric Food Chem, 1994,42:64-69

Schwitters B. OPC in practice. Bioflavonols and their Application. Alfa Omega Publishers, Rome, 1993

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