Bioflavonoids

Flavonoids are 'plant pigments', creating a rainbow of colors. They are 'scavengers of free radicals' and also essential in strengthening the walls of small blood vessels. They work together with vitamin C to strengthen capillary and connective tissues and help to lower cholesterol.

Food Sources:
Citrus fruits, apricots, cherries, strawberry, grapes, apples, papayas, green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe and vegetables.

Tea (common green and black tea leaves consist of about 25-30 percent flavonoids), onions, soybeans (soya milk, 'tofu', 'tempe') also rich in flavonoids.

Further reading:
http://www.thenutritionreporter.com/flavonoids.html
http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/flavonoids.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavonoid
http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/flavonoids.php


Dr Sears newsletter (6 Jan. 2011)

My Favorite
Immune Booster

Quercetin is one of nature’s best immune boosters and antihistamines – and among the most abundant flavonoids found in food. Flavonoids are potent antioxidants that protect the body and fight silent inflammation.
It also fights free radicals that can damage cells. And it stops your body from ramping up histamine levels when you get sick, and that reduces symptoms like a stuffy nose, congestion and more.

So the next time you come down with a bug, you can treat it with 10 mg of quercetin daily. The easiest way to get enough quercetin is to eat dark, leafy, greens, or other dark-colored (raw) vegetables like red onions, scallions and kale. You also can get quercetin from fruit with edible skin, such as blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes, and, of course, apples.
You can also try supplementing. I came across a great new formula that contains a potent dosage of quercetin – along with several other rare and natural immune-booting herbs and nutrients.