Quercetin The Lance Armstrong Supplement?

Ok I admit it I shamelessly used Lance Amrstong in hopes of getting more hits to my blog but everyone else does it so why not. Seriously though Lance's endorsement of FRS has lead to many questions about whats inside this energy boosting supplement and if it works at all.The key ingredent is Quercetin is a common chemical pigment in the rinds and barks of a wide variety of plants. It is one of the main flavonoids in the diet, and is found in large amounts in apple skins, onions, tea, and red wine. It is also found in leafy green vegetables, berries, and in herbs such as ginkgo and St. John's wort.Quercetin's anti-inflammatory activity appears to be due to its antioxidant and inhibitory effects on inflammation-producing enzymes (cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase) and the subsequent inhibition of inflammatory mediators, including leukotrienes and prostaglandins.7,8 Inhibition of histamine release by mast cells and basophils also contributes to quercetin's anti-inflammatory activity.



Quercetin is available in higher amounts in dietary supplements than would typically be found in food sources. Supplements are sold as capsules or tablets ranging in doses from 50 milligrams (mg) to 500 mg. There is no recommended standard dose for quercetin. In FRS the amount is 325mg and they also add 85mg green tea extract and the RDI of several vitamins (B,E,C)

What most people don't realize is that this flavonoid has been around for a while and was orinaly linked to being a cancer producing compound but was later found to be unrelated. Plants containing flavonoids have a long history of use in traditional medicines in many cultures, but flavonoids themselves were not discovered until the 1930s. Quercetin first gained attention several decades ago when it was found to cause DNA mutations in bacteria, a sign that it might actually contribute to causing cancer. Animal research done since that time has been inconclusive, and what little evidence there is in humans does not seem to support this idea. Research in recent years has focused on several possible helpful effects of quercetin, including its potential role in preventing cancer.

I first read about Quercetin a few years back when I was making a pack of supplements for myself to take to help with overall health and recovery. My concept was based on the idea's of Dr. Dave Seaman and his idea that alot health problems are related to inflamation so I was putting together a pack of supplements that would act as an antioxidant and natural anitinflamatory. Quercetin has been study for its antioxidant properties as well as anti-inflammatory properties and I must admit that I have been impressed with the body of research that has been produced. At the time I did not add it to my pack because the manufacture did not have it available and I used many other bioflavanoids that have had a great deal of research on them as well. I am going to post 3 summary's that have been posted over the past few years that I find very interesting as it relates to Quercetin and its effect on athletes.

“Quercetin Increases Brain and Muscle Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Exercise Tolerance.” Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol.2009. Davis et al., University of South Carolina.

A pre-clinical study examined the effects of 7-days of quercetin supplementation on markers of mitochondrial biogenesis. Results indicate that quercetin supplementation enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis - the production of cellular mitochondria - in the muscle and brain. This increase in mitochondria was associated with an increase in both maximal endurance running capacity (VO2max) and active involvement in physical activity with the mice being more willing to exercise.

“Dietary Antioxidant Supplementation Combined with Quercetin Improves Cycling Time Trial Performance.” International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2006, 16, 405-419. MacRae and Mefferd, Pepperdine University.

An independent, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study on the effect of FRS on cycling performance in eleven elite cyclists showed a 3.1% improvement in time to complete a simulated 30km mountainous time trial when subjects consumed FRS for a 3 week period.

“Dietary Flavonoid Quercetin Increases VO2max and Endurance Capacity” International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Davis, Carlstedt, Chen, Carmichael, and Murphy, University of South Carolina .

An independent, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study showed that when 12 healthy, active (but not highly trained) men and women consumed 500 mg of quercetin (QU995™) in an enriched drink mix twice daily for 7 days, they experienced a 13.2 percent increase in ride time to fatigue (based on bicycle endurance capacity) and a 3.9 percent increase in VO2max (maximum oxygen consumption) .



In reviewing the's articles as well as others I must admit that most of the studies are invitro or animal studies but results suguste some interesting benefits I am very interested in the idea of increased mitonchondria production as this would also help many other none athele related issues. In looking at the pharmacokinetics Few human quercetin absorption studies exist. It appears that only a small percentage of quercetin is absorbed after an oral dose, possibly only two percent, according to one study. A recent study of absorption in "healthy" ileostomy patients revealed an absorption of 24 percent of the pure aglycone and 52 percent of quercetin glycosides from onions. However, no intestinal permeability values were obtained in this group, and thus the results might not be reliable. Quercetin undergoes bacterial metabolism in the intestinal tract, and is converted into phenolic acids. Absorbed quercetin is transported to the liver bound to albumin, where some may be converted via methylation, hydroxylation, or conjugation

Quercetin appears to be safe for most people when up to 500 mg twice daily are taken by mouth. It is not known if larger amounts might be safe. Quercetin can cause headache and tingling of the arms and legs. Very high doses might cause kidney damage.

Do not take quercetin if:

You are pregnant or breast-feeding.


Interactions:

Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics) interacts with QUERCETIN

Taking quercetin along with some antibiotics might decrease the effectiveness of some antibiotics. Some scientists think that quercetin might prevent some antibiotics from killing bacteria. But it's too soon to know if this is a big concern.
Some of these antibiotics that might interact with quercetin include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Chibroxin, Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and grepafloxacin (Raxar).

Cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune) interacts with QUERCETIN

Cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune) is changed and broken down by the liver. Quercetin might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune). Taking quercetin might increase the effects and side effects of this medication. Before taking quercetin talk to your healthcare provider if you take cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune).

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) substrates) interacts with QUERCETIN

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Quercetin might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking quercetin along with these medications that are changed by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of your medication. Before taking quercetin talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include paclitaxel (Taxol), rosiglitazone (Avandia), amiodarone (Cordarone), docetaxel (Taxotere), repaglinide (Prandin), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with QUERCETIN

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Quercetin might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking quercetin along with these medications that are changed by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of your medication. Before taking quercetin talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with QUERCETIN

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Quercetin might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking quercetin along with these medications that are changed by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of your medication. Before taking quercetin talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), codeine, flecainide (Tambocor), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), ondansetron (Zofran), paroxetine (Paxil), risperidone (Risperdal), tramadol (Ultram), venlafaxine (Effexor), and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with QUERCETIN

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Quercetin might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking quercetin along with these medications that are changed by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of your medication. Before taking quercetin talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diltiazem (Cardizem), estrogens, indinavir (Crixivan), triazolam (Halcion), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), alfentanil (Alfenta), fentanyl (Sublimaze), losartan (Cozaar), fluoxetine (Prozac), midazolam (Versed), omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), fexofenadine (Allegra), amitriptyline (Elavil), amiodarone (Cordarone), citalopram (Celexa), sertraline (Zoloft), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), and numerous others.

Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-glycoprotein Substrates)) interacts with QUERCETIN

Some medications are moved by pumps in cells. Quercetin might make these pumps less active and increase how much of some medications get absorbed by the body. This might cause more side effects from some medications.
Some medications that are moved by these pumps include diltiazem (Cardizem), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), digoxin (Lanoxin) cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), saquinavir (Invirase), amprenavir (Agenerase), nelfinavir (Viracept), loperamide (Imodium), quinidine, paclitaxel (Taxol), vincristine, etoposide (VP16, VePesid), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), fexofenadine (Allegra), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), and others.

So whats my take on the Lance Armstrong Supplement? Well its one of many bioflavanoids that help with inflamation and may very well be one that can cause an increase in mitochondrial production but we still need more research to get a conclusive answear to that question.

UPDATE!!! NEW STUDY INFO CHECK OUT ARTICLE

Athletic Performance Not Found To Be Enhanced By Popular Supplement Quercetin