Quercetin is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance belonging to the flavonoid family; a vegetable pigment found in various foods and plants, it has been gaining increasing prominence for some time now as a nutraceutical agent with interesting properties. Quercetin is found with high concentrations especially in apples, red fruits and wild berries in general, but also in citrus fruits, in vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, capers and onions and in drinks such as red wine and tea. Quercetin is the subject of several published studies and many trials currently underway due to its extensive beneficial properties for the body and is increasingly recommended as a supplement to stimulate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, counteracting the effects of free radicals and cellular ageing, acting as a true natural anti-age substance, in particular against premature ageing of the skin. Quercetin can counteract the negative effects of solar radiation. These, in fact, lead to the synthesis of oxygen reactions that form free radicals, which have the ability to alter the structure of collagen and elastin synthesis through dermal fibroblasts. Quercetin protects against the negative action of solar radiation and various other problems related to ageing, including degenerative problems which are the subject of scientific investigation. In addition to the acknowledged antioxidant action of quercetin, other properties include the anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects discovered by a number of studies that endorse quercetin as a valid aid for the health of the cardiovascular system. It continues to be commonly used to treat venous insufficiency, haemorrhoids and capillary fragility, given its well-known ability to act as a protective agent for blood vessels and as an anti-edema, with an important role in the treatment of haemorrhoids, varicose veins, and symptoms related to venous insufficiency, such as night cramps, pain, swelling and heaviness in the legs. Quercetin is valuable for its preventive action against urinary tract infections (including cystitis that afflicts the female population in particular) and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), which affects men. A very interesting factor relates quercetin to the immune system, where it can reduce the symptoms of the major allergies, such as common ailments caused by pollens in spring, thanks to the ability of the substance to inhibit the phases associated with the release of histamine. As a nutraceutical, quercetin is gaining increasing popularity as an adjuvant in drug therapies, thanks to its anti-oxidative but also anti-inflammatory virtues, inhibiting the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes which have a pro-inflammatory action. In fact, it can be taken to counteract diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus (chronic autoimmune diseases), Alzheimer s disease, arteriosclerosis and insulin resistance syndrome. Quercetin has minimal side effects. Despite this, it is important to remember that quercetin can influence pharmacological interactions that must be monitored. Care must be taken by subjects with blood clotting diseases due to the antiplatelet and antithrombotic action of quercetin, it is important to be particularly careful in the use of quercetin by patients who are taking antiplatelet drugs such asAspirinetta and CardioAspirin, or orally administered anticoagulants such as Coumadin and Sintrom. Its use is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding because at this time we have no information regarding any effects on the foetus or baby, or for those undergoing chemotherapy.
