Before you continue reading, hoping to take a full bottle of quercetin as a prevention or cure for the coronavirus, we must tell you that NO, unfortunately this is nothing like that. This is about promising new research that shows the natural quercetin compound could serve as a support, like other supplements being studied, to aid in the fight along with self-care and hygiene measures, masks, social distancing, vaccines and conventional treatments. Make no mistake, it is NOT the magic cure.
It turns out that research carried out in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and precisely amidst that race against the clock to discover new options to combat it, has given some hope. An investigation carried out by the Department of Molecular Medicine and other research areas of the University of Pavia, in Italy, studied the effectiveness of 18 compounds that could theoretically limit the development of the virus. Of those, quercetin proved to be the fifth most effective. This is mainly due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce thrombin (an enzyme responsible for blood clotting) that inhibits two of the main proteins (3CLpro and PLpro) of the virus, preventing it from replicating normally. (1)
That is not the only study related to the topic. Other research conducted by universities in the United States, Italy, China, England, and Canada analyzed the use of quercetin and vitamin C, working in synergy, as an experimental therapy for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. (2)
These studies highlighted the antiviral properties of quercetin and the role of vitamin C in the body’s stress response, assisting in the treatment of critical coronavirus patients. It also presents evidence that, by administering these products together, they support each other by enhancing their antiviral and immunoregulatory properties. In addition, the ascorbic acid in vitamin C can "recycle" quercetin, helping it to be more effective. (2)
Since these are low-cost products without serious side effects, the study proposes them as a viable and priority option for early use in people, especially among high-risk groups, as a complement to conventional treatments.
It is worth mentioning that these studies have considered quercetin because of the vast previous research supporting its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, in vitro and in vivo, where it has shown it can inhibit the proliferation of several types of respiratory viruses.(2)
How do I add quercetin to my virus prevention and general health protection regimen?
This simple compound, present in different vegetables and fruits, is an important support product. If you want to increase natural consumption, eat foods such as:
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Vegetables like purple onion, purple cabbage, cauliflower, chicory, broccoli, kale and capers.
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Fruits like apples, blueberries, tomatoes, oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, limes, lemons and kumquat.
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Or you can supplement it. Although there is no definite dose, most studies have used quercetin amounts of 500-1000 mg per day. (3)
The most important thing is that you don't lose the perspective that this is not a cure. Unfortunately, we have not yet reached that wonderful point where science can provide us that long-awaited news. We should continue to focus on the steps we know we need to take and continue to learn from the on-going research in this on-going fight.
Especially today when, despite all the progress made related to information about COVID-19, the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the country continue to rise. It is up to us to be more responsible, empathetic and careful than ever before, both for ourselves and for others. We will NOT let down our guard, and we hope you don't either. Perseverance is the key to achieving.
Let's keep getting healthier, together!
Your team at Santo Remedio
