|
| 🌿 Bioflavonoids (Vitamin P) – A Natural Boost for Your Health
Bioflavonoids, also known as vitamin P, are a diverse group of naturally occurring plant compounds primarily found in fruits and vegetables—especially citrus fruits. These water-soluble pigments are responsible for the vibrant colors of many plants and are best known for their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supportive properties.
Although bioflavonoids are not officially classified as vitamins, they are essential for human health—particularly due to their synergistic relationship with vitamin C. Bioflavonoids improve the absorption, bioavailability, and effectiveness of vitamin C, helping to protect it from oxidation and extend its activity in the body. When taken together, these two compounds form a powerful antioxidant shield that supports immune health, fights free radicals, and promotes cellular repair.
🔬 What Makes Bioflavonoids Important?
Bioflavonoids play a crucial role in:
-
Enhancing capillary strength and reducing permeability, which supports circulatory and cardiovascular health.
-
Protecting against oxidative stress, a major contributor to aging, inflammation, and chronic diseases.
-
Inhibiting the release of histamine, helping to ease allergies and inflammatory responses.
-
Supporting healthy skin, connective tissues, and collagen integrity.
-
Providing antiviral, anticarcinogenic, and anti-aging effects.
These compounds are commonly found in supplement formulas aimed at addressing issues like easy bruising, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, allergies, and immune weakness.
🍋 Key Sources of Bioflavonoids
Some of the most well-known and well-researched bioflavonoids include:
-
Quercetin – A potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent found in onions, apples, and tea. Known to support immune function, blood sugar balance, and respiratory health.
-
Rutin – Helps strengthen blood vessels and is often used for varicose veins and circulatory problems.
-
Hesperidin & Naringin – Found in citrus fruits; these improve vascular health, reduce inflammation, and help regulate blood flow.
-
Proanthocyanidins (PCOs/OPCs) – Found in grape seed and pine bark extract, offering high antioxidant activity and collagen support.
-
Green Tea Polyphenols (EGCG) – Potent plant compounds known for their cancer-preventing and anti-aging properties.
💊 Why Supplement with Bioflavonoids?
While many fruits and vegetables contain bioflavonoids, modern diets and food processing often reduce our natural intake. Supplementing with bioflavonoid capsules provides a concentrated, convenient way to ensure your body receives these valuable compounds—especially when paired with vitamin C.
Supplements can be especially beneficial for:
-
Individuals with weakened immunity
-
Those recovering from injuries or surgery
-
People prone to allergies, bruising, or poor circulation
-
Individuals seeking anti-aging and skin health support
🛡️ Safe & Effective
Bioflavonoids are generally considered safe and well-tolerated. While no official daily requirement exists, dosages ranging from 500–1500 mg per day are commonly recommended for general health and therapeutic purposes. As with any supplement, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider, especially during pregnancy or when managing chronic conditions.
✅ Summary
Bioflavonoids are nature’s answer to oxidative stress, inflammation, and weakened immune response. By working in harmony with vitamin C and other antioxidants, they support total-body wellness from the inside out—helping you feel energized, protected, and resilient.
Research studies / References
|
 |
Flavonoids (isoflavonoids and neoflavonoids)., IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology |
|
|
 |
Galeotti, F; Barile, E; Curir, P; Dolci, M; Lanzotti, V (2008). "Flavonoids from carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) and their antifungal activity". Phytochemistry Letters 1: 44. doi:10.1016/j.phytol.2007.10.001. |
|
|
 |
Spencer, Jeremy P. E. (2008). "Flavonoids: modulators of brain function?". British Journal of Nutrition 99: ES60-77. doi:10.1017/S0007114508965776. PMID 18503736. |
|
|
 |
"Therapeutic potential of inhibition of the NF-κB pathway in the treatment of inflammation and cancer". Yamamoto and Gaynor 107 (2): 135 -- Journal of Clinical Investigation. http://www.jci.org/cgi/content/full/107/2/135?ijkey=a1e09ce2dbca283cec170598f2410b15d5f4304f&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha. |
|
|
 |
Cushnie TPT, Lamb AJ (2005). "Antimicrobial activity of flavonoids". International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 26 (5): 343-356. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2005.09.002. PMID 16323269. |
|
|
 |
Cushnie TPT, Lamb AJ (2011). "Recent advances in understanding the antibacterial properties of flavonoids". International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents Epub ahead of print. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2011.02.014. PMID 21514796. |
|
|
 |
de Sousa RR, Queiroz KC, Souza AC, Gurgueira SA, Augusto AC, Miranda MA, Peppelenbosch MP, Ferreira CV, Aoyama H. (2007). "Phosphoprotein levels, MAPK activities and NFkappaB expression are affected by fisetin". J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 22 (4): 439-444. doi:10.1080/14756360601162063. PMID 17847710. |
|
|
 |
Bagchi Manashi, Mark Milnes, Casey Williams, Jaya Balmoori, Xumei Ye, Sidney Stohs and Debasis Bagchi (1999). "Acute and chronic stress-induced oxidative gastrointestinal injury in rats, and the protective ability of a novel grape seed proanthocyanidin extract". Nutrition Research 19 (8): 1189-1199. doi:10.1016/S0271-5317(99)00080-9. |
|
|
 |
Lotito SB, Frei B (2006). "Consumption of flavonoid-rich foods and increased plasma antioxidant capacity in humans: cause, consequence, or epiphenomenon?". Free Radic. Biol. Med. 41 (12): 1727-46. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2006.04.033. PMID 17157175. |
|
|
 |
Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to various food(s)/food constituent(s) and protection of cells from premature aging, antioxidant activity, antioxidant content and antioxidant properties, and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/20061, EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2, 3 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy, EFSA Journal 2010; 8(2):1489 |
|
|
 |
Williams RJ, Spencer JP, Rice-Evans C (April 2004). "Flavonoids: antioxidants or signalling molecules?". Free Radical Biology & Medicine 36 (7): 838-49. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2004.01.001. PMID 15019969. |
|
|
 |
a b c "Studies force new view on biology of flavonoids", by David Stauth, EurekAlert!. Adapted from a news release issued by Oregon State University. URL accessed |
|
|
 |
UCLA news May 2008 - Fruits, vegetables, teas may protect smokers from lung cancer |
|
|
 |
Schuier M, Sies H, Illek B, Fischer H (1 October 2005). "Cocoa-related flavonoids inhibit CFTR-mediated chloride transport across T84 human colon epithelia". J. Nutr. 135 (10): 2320-5. PMID 16177189. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/135/10/2320. |
|
|
 |
Thirman MJ, Gill HJ, Burnett RC, Mbangkollo D, McCabe NR, Kobayashi H et al. (1993). "Rearrangement of the MLL gene in acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemias with 11q23 chromosomal translocations". N Engl J Med 329 (13): 909-14. doi:10.1056/NEJM199309233291302. PMID 8361504. |
|
|
 |
Strick R, Strissel PL, Borgers S, Smith SL, Rowley JD (2000). "Dietary bioflavonoids induce cleavage in the MLL gene and may contribute to infant leukemia". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97 (9): 4790-5. doi:10.1073/pnas.070061297. PMC 18311. PMID 10758153. |
|
|
 |
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=10758153. |
|
|
 |
Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn-Khosrovani S, Janssen J, Maas LM, Godschalk RW, Nijhuis JG, van Schooten FJ (2007). "Dietary flavonoids induce MLL translocations in primary human CD34+ cells". Carcinogenesis 28 (8): 1703-9. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgm102. PMID 17468513. |
|
|
 |
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=17468513. |
|
|
 |
Ross JA (1998). "Maternal diet and infant leukemia: a role for DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors?". Int J Cancer Suppl 11: 26-8. PMID 9876473. |
|
|
 |
Ross JA (2000). "Dietary flavonoids and the MLL gene: A pathway to infant leukemia?". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97 (9): 4411-3. doi:10.1073/pnas.97.9.4411. PMC 34309. PMID 10781030. |
|
|
 |
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=10781030. |
|
|
 |
Spector LG, Xie Y, Robison LL, Heerema NA, Hilden JM, Lange B et al. (2005). "Maternal diet and infant leukemia: the DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor hypothesis: a report from the children's oncology group". Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14 (3): 651-5. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-04-0602. PMID 15767345. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=15767345. |
|
|
 |
Delphinidin Modulates the DNA-Damaging Properties of Topoisomerase II Poisons. Esselen, Jessica Fritz, Melanie Hutter and Doris Marko, Chem. Res. Toxicol., 2009, 22 (3), pp 554-564 doi:10.1021/tx800293v |
|
|
 |
Bandele, O.J.; Clawson, S.J.; Osheroff, N. (2008). "Dietary polyphenols as topoisomerase II poisons: B-ring substituents determine the mechanism of enzyme-mediated DNA cleavage enhancement". Chemical Research in Toxicology (6): 1253-1260doi:10.1021/tx8000785 |
|
|
 |
Paul Knekt, Jorma Kumpulainen, Ritva Järvinen, Harri Rissanen, Markku Heliovaara, Antti Reunanen, Timo Hakulinen, and Arpo Aromaa (September 2002). "Flavonoid intake and risk of chronic diseases". Am J Clin Nutr 76 (3): 560-8. PMID 12198000. |
|
|
 |
American Cancer Society, Quercetin |
|
|
 |
Lee KW, Kim YJ, Lee HJ, Lee CY (December 2003). "Cocoa has more phenolic phytochemicals and a higher antioxidant capacity than teas and red wine". J. Agric. Food Chem. 51 (25): 7292-5. doi:10.1021/jf0344385. PMID 14640573. |
|
|
 |
"Cocoa nutrient for 'lethal ills'". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/.stm.[dead link] |
|
|
 |
Tsushida T., Suzuki, M. (1996) Content of flavonol glucosides and some properties of enzymes metabolizing the glucosides in onion. J. Jap. Soc. Food Sci. Technol., 43, 642-649. |
|
|
 |
Slimestad R, Fossen T, Vagen IM (December 2007). "Onions: a source of unique dietary flavonoids". J. Agric. Food Chem. 55 (25): 10067-80. doi:10.1021/jf0712503. PMID 17997520. |
|
|
 |
Marotti, M.; Piccaglia, R. (2002). "Characterization of Flavonoids in Different Cultivars of Onion (Allium cepa L.)". Journal of Food Science 67 (3): 1229. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2002.tb09482.x. |
|
|
 |
Justesen U, Knuthsen P (2001). "Composition of flavonoids in fresh herbs and calculation of flavonoid intake by use of herbs in traditional Danish dishes". Food Chem. 73 (2): 245-50. doi:10.1016/S0308-8146(01)00114-5. |
|
|
 |
Ewald C, Fjelkner-Modig S, Johansson K, Sjoholm I, akesson B (1999). "Effect of processing on major flavonoids in processed onions, green beans, and peas". Food Chem. 64 (2): 231-5. doi:10.1016/S0308-8146(98)00136-8. |
|
|
 |
Spedding G, Ratty A, Middleton E (September 1989). "Inhibition of reverse transcriptases by flavonoids". Antiviral Res. 12 (2): 99-110. doi:10.1016/0166-3542(89)90073-9. PMID 2480745. |
|
|
 |
The Lancet, (December 2007). "The devil in the dark chocolate". Lancet 370 (9605): 2070. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61873-X. PMID 18156011. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0140-6736(07)61873-X. |
|
|
 |
Serafini et al; Bugianesi, Rossana; Maiani, Giuseppe; Valtuena, Silvia; De Santis, Simone; Crozier, Alan (August 2003). "Plasma antioxidants from chocolate". Nature 424 (6952): 1013. doi:10.1038/4241013a. PMID 12944955. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v424/n6952/full/4241013a.html. |
|
|
 |
Serafini, M., Crozier, A., Bugianesi, R., Maiani, G., Valtuena, S., and Santis, S.D. (2003). "Nutrition: milk and absorption of dietary flavanols". Nature 424 (6952): 1013. doi:10.1038/4241013a. PMID 12944955. |
|
|
 |
Ververidis Filippos, F; Trantas Emmanouil, Douglas Carl, Vollmer Guenter, Kretzschmar Georg, Panopoulos Nickolas (October 2007). "Biotechnology of flavonoids and other phenylpropanoid-derived natural products. Part I: Chemical diversity, impacts on plant biology and human health". Biotechnology Journal 2 (10): 1214-34. doi:10.1002/biot.200700084. PMID 17935117. |
|
|
 |
Hwang EI, Kaneko M, Ohnishi Y, Horinouchi S (May 2003). "Production of plant-specific flavanones by Escherichia coli containing an artificial gene cluster". Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69 (5): 2699-706. doi:10.1128/AEM.69.5.2699-2706.2003. PMC 154558. PMID 12732539. http://aem.asm.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=12732539. |
|
|
 |
Phenolics:figure 4 |
|
|
 |
Trantas Emmanouil, E; Panopoulos Nickolas, Ververidis Filippos (2009). "Metabolic engineering of the complete pathway leading to heterologous biosynthesis of various flavonoids and stilbenoids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae". Metabolic Engineering 11 (6): 355-366. doi:10.1016/j.ymben.2009.07.004. PMID 19631278. |
|
|
 |
Ververidis Filippos, F; Trantas Emmanouil, Douglas Carl, Vollmer Guenter, Kretzschmar Georg, Panopoulos Nickolas (October 2007). "Biotechnology of flavonoids and other phenylpropanoid-derived natural products. Part II: Reconstruction of multienzyme pathways in plants and microbes". Biotechnology Journal 2 (10): 1235-49. doi:10.1002/biot.200700184. PMID 17935118. | |
| |