Reduce Allergies Quercetin, Bromelain and Vitamin C:

Quercetin vs. Allergies
Allergies represent an inappropriate immune response to otherwise harmless substances, such as ragweed pollen, cat dander, house dust, wheat protein, etc., that get into the body or on the skin through air, food or water. Some allergies are mediated through the allergic antibody IgE, while some are not. What all allergies have in common is the antigen (allergen) stimulation of two related cell types: mast cells and basophils.5 Mast cells line the blood vessels in the connective tissue of the lungs, inner eyelids, gut, ear, nose, throat and skin.5 Basophils are a type of white blood cell. Both mast cells and basophils are full of granules of histamine and other allergic chemical mediators.5 When allergen/antigens in the blood contact mast cells or basophils in sufficient numbers, a burst of histamine and other allergic mediators is released into the bloodstream. It is the histamine and other allergic mediators that trigger the misery of allergic reaction: runny, itchy nose and sneezing; watery, itchy red eyes; tickling and itching in ears, nose and throat; skin rash; headache; asthma, etc.

QRC is a powerful inhibitor of antigen-stimulated histamine release from basophils and mast cells,5,6,7,8 even at low levels of QRC (5-50 micromoles, or 1.51-15.1 mcg/ml).6 Unlike most anti-allergy substances, QRC is highly effective at inhibiting histamine release during both the first and second stage of basophil histamine release: "quercetin is unique in exhibiting activity in both stages."6 Pearce and colleagues also note that "...quercetin appears to possess a broader spectrum of [anti-allergy] activity than chromoglycate [the anti-allergy drug Chromolyn™]...."5 Middleton and coworkers describe QRC as being "instantaneous in onset of action" and they report that "... addition of quercetin during early stages of an ongoing histamine release reaction results in an abrupt cessation of further histamine release...."6 Thus, QRC can both prevent allergic reactions and stop those already underway.

The Quercetin-Bromelain Connection
Bromelain is the general name for a group of proteolytic enzymes derived from pineapple stems.9 Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme that is active at a broad range of pHs, and thus can digest protein in both the stomach and small intestine.9 When taken on an empty stomach approximately 40 percent of the bromelain is absorbed into the bloodstream intact.10 Through its action on the blood clotting-related substances fibrinogen and fibrin, bromelain stimulates the production and release of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGs), while simultaneously reducing the production and release of proinflammatory PGs.9,10

Allergic reactions typically involve an excess of inflammatory PGs being released, which contributes to the swelling, redness and itching. QRC also helps to suppress formation and release of inflammatory PGs and thromboxanes, as well as the "slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis," a key trigger of asthma.7

Thus, QRC and bromelain are synergistic in suppressing the inflammation of allergic reactions, as well as the excessive inflammation that results from bruising and tissue damage from sports injuries, accidents, surgery, etc.9

Bromelain also potentiates QRC through another route. By itself, QRC is somewhat poorly absorbed from the GI tract.3 Bromelain is well known for its enhancement of absorption of various compounds, including pentobarbital and antibiotics such as tetracycline and amoxicillin.9 Bromelain also enhances the absorption of QRC.4,11

The Quercetin-Vitamin C Connection
Vitamin C, also known as "ascorbate" (ASC), is a natural antihistamine. It both prevents histamine release and increases the detoxification of histamine. A 1992 study found that taking 2 grams ASC daily lowered blood histamine levels 38 percent in healthy adults in just one week. However, a single dose of ASC failed to lower histamine levels, indicating that the antihistamine effect of ASC requires regular ongoing use.13

ASC and QRC have a mutual sparing effect on each other. ASC "...inhibits the oxidative degradation of ... quercetin..."8 "Flavonoids such as quercetin... were shown to enhance the reduction of dehydroascorbic acid [oxidized ASC] by glutathione,"8 thus recycling "used" ASC. Oxidized QRC is also reduced (recycled) by ASC back to QRC.8 Thus ASC and QRC are mutually supporting allergy fighters.

Magnesium ASC is the best form of C in an anti-allergy formula. Once into the blood and tissues, the magnesium and ASC will separate. Magnesium serves to activate bromelain.14 Also, magnesium is "nature's calcium channel-blocker."15 It helps to prevent entry of calcium into various cells, and calcium entry into mast cells and basophils is a key part of triggering allergic histamine release.6

Quercetin: More Benefits
A combination of QRC, magnesium ASC and bromelain makes a great anti-allergy/asthma supplement. But there are other potential benefits from this combination.

QRC has been extensively studied for its anticancer activity. A 1989 report found that QRC strongly inhibited the growth of human squamous cell carcinoma cells transplanted into immunocompetent rats.16 "In several in vitro experiments, quercetin showed growth-inhibitory effects on cells from various human cancers: colon, breast, ovarian, gastro-intestinal and leukemic cells."3 Verma and collaborators reported a significant reduction in tumor size and number in rats suffering DMBA-induced mammary cancer given QRC, compared to controls.16

Hofmann and coworkers found that QRC enhanced the anti-cancer effect of several types of anti-cancer drugs.18 They also noted that "quercetin... is a licensed [anti-cancer] drug in many countries and is non-toxic at the required dose range."18

Bromelain has also shown some anti-tumor activity in both human clinical and animal experimental studies.9

QRC and bromelain both have shown positive effects in reducing heart disease risks. Bromelain is an effective inhibitor of platelet aggregation and strong fibrinolytic (fibrin-dissolving) agent.9,10 Excess fibrin production and platelet aggregation can produce a blood clot that may clog up an already partially closed heart artery and trigger a heart attack. QRC also helps prevent the production of inflammatory prostaglandins/ thromboxanes that promote the pathological platelet aggregation/clot formation that might trigger a heart attack.19 Trans-resveratrol (10-40 mg/day) is a potent synergist with QRC's anti-tumor/ anti-heart attack activity.19

The Zutphen Elderly Study published in 1993 provides eloquent evidence of the heart-protective power of QRC.20 This five-year study investigated the dietary flavonoid intake and risk of coronary heart disease in 805 men ages 65-84. The study found that most (74 percent) of the dietary flavonoid intake came from three foods: tea, onions and apples. Mean daily flavonoid intake was 26 mg, about two-thirds of which was QRC. Compared to those in the bottom third of flavonoid intake, those in the top third of flavonoid intake had only 42 percent of the relative risk of coronary heart disease death during the five-year study.

A Personal Note
I have suffered from severe allergies and asthma since early childhood. In 1971, at age 23, I began taking megadose nutrients. This immediately brought significant relief from my allergies, yet I still suffered severely at times—especially during the grass pollen season.

Megadose ASC was especially helpful to me, but still did not completely control my allergies. In 1986, I added QRC to my regimen. This brought much more relief, but still not total. In 1988, I created a QRC/bromelain/magnesium ASC formula that finally brought the relief I needed. For the past 16 years my allergies have been almost completely controlled through regular use of that combination. On the rare occasion I might still have an allergic reaction, taking an "attack" dose of three to six capsules at once will usually quickly halt the reaction. I find the QRC/ASC/bromelain combination to be far more effective than any anti-allergy drug I've ever tried, without their nasty side effects.

Cautions

QRC, bromelain and magnesium ASC are all generally safe compounds. However, anyone allergic to bee stings, olive tree pollen or pineapple should probably avoid bromelain.9 Anyone with a history of serious heart palpitations should limit bromelain intake to 460 mg/day.9 Although magnesium ASC is generally more "gut friendly" than ascorbic acid C, sensitive individuals still might experience gas, diarrhea or gut cramping from high dose magnesium ASC. Taking QRC/bromelain/magnesium ASC with food should reduce the risk of gut symptoms, although for rapid and maximum allergy relief taking them on an empty stomach is best.

Dosage
How much QRC/bromelain/magnesium ASC to take depends on one's allergy situation. Those with only mild or occasional allergies might only need one capsule three or four times daily of a formula providing 1,000 mg QRC, 300 mg (720 GDU) bromelain, and 664 mg ASC per three capsules.

For those with severe allergies, or during an intensive allergy season, it may be necessary to take two or three capsules four to six times daily. During a severe allergy attack it may be necessary to take up to six capsules to halt the attack. For those who have no trouble taking high dose C, taking extra C may increase the anti-allergy effect. For those suffering from asthma, adding four fish oil caps/day may enhance the protective effect.

Highly recommended source of nutrients and supplements.

How did we qualify them ?

References
1. "Quercetin" (Monograph) Alt Med Rev 3 (1998): 140-43.

2. Leighton, T. Univ. Calif. Berkeley Quercetin Project, preliminary report, 1988.

3. Stavric, B. "Quercetin in our diet: from potent mutagen to probable anticarcinogen: Clin Biochem 27 (1994): 245-48.

4. Murray, M. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Roseville, CA: Prima Pub.; 1996: 320.

5. Pearce, F. et al "Mucosal mast cells III. Effect of quercetin and other flavonoids on antigen-induced histamine secretion from rat intestinal mast cells" J Allergy Clin Immunol 73 (1984): 819-23.

6. Middleton, E. et al " Quercetin: an inhibitor of antigen-induced human basophil histamine release" J Immunol 127 (1981): 546-50.

7. Foreman, J. "Mast cells and the actions of flavonoids" J Allergy Clin Immunol 73 (1984): 769-73.

8. Middleton, E. et al " The effects of plant flavonoids on mammalian cells: implications for inflammation, heart disease and cancer" Pharmacol Rev 52 (2000): 673-751.

9. Kelly, G. "Bromelain: A literature review and discussion of its therapeutic applications" Alt Med Rev 1 (1996): 243-57.

10. Taussig, S. " The mechanism of the physiological action of bromelain" Med Hypoth 6 (1980): 99-104.

11. Shoskes, D. et al "Quercetin in men with category III chronic prostatitis: a preliminary prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial" Urol 54 (1999): 960-63.

12. Murray, op. cit. 329.

13. Johnston, C. et al " Antihistamine effect of supplemental ascorbic acid and neutrophil chemotaxis" J Am Coll Nutr II (1992): 172-76.

14. Jellin, J. et al Pharmacist's Letter / Prescriber's Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 5th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2003: 224.

15. Murray, op. cit. 162.

16. Castillo, M. et al "The effects of the bioflavonoid quercetin on squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck origin" Am J Surg 158 (1989): 351-55.

17. Verma, A. et al "Inhibition of 7, 12- dimethylbenz(a) anthracene- and N-nitrosomethylurea- induced rat mammary cancer by dietary flavonol quercetin" Cancer Res 48 (1988): 5754-58.

18. Hofmann, J. et al "Enhancement of the antiproliferative effect of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) and nitrogen mustard by inhibitors of protein kinase C" Int J Cancer 42 (1988): 382-88.

19. South, J "Resveratrol and quercetin: anti heart attack and anticancer dynamic duo" www.antiaging-systems.com/extract/resveratrol.htm.

20. Hertog, M. et al "Dietary antioxidant flavonoids and risk of coronary heart disease: the Zutphen Elderly Study" Lancet 342 (1993): 1007-11.

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