Bioflavonoids are a group of plant pigments that are responsible for the colors of many flowers and fruits. Citrus bioflavonoids are those bioflavonoids, or flavonoids, found in citrus fruits such as lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, etc. These substances possess antioxidant activities, which help fight poor health and aging.
Benefits
Citrus bioflavonoids
have been investigated for their biological activity, with both
anti-inflammatory and -carcinogenic effects being reported. Flavonoids are
a subset of a larger group of beneficial plant substances known as
polyphenols.
The common citrus bioflavonoids include:
Apigenin -- found
in high amounts in parsley,
thyme, and peppermint
and many other herbs including
lemon balm.
Hesperidin --
found in citrus peel and pulp. Commercial orange juice provides 440 mg/l hesperidin.
Hesperitin --
Naringenin
Naringin
Narirutin -- commercial orange juice provides 96 mg narirutin per liter.
Nobiletin -- a citrus bioflavonoid isolated from tangerines
Quercetin is found
in high amounts
in onions, kale, hot peppers, and rutabagos.
Rutin is chemically
related to quercetin.
Tangeretin
Tangeritin
Benefits
Heart and blood vessel health
Curr Opin Lipidol. 2013 Feb. Citrus flavonoids and lipid
metabolism. Citrus bioflavonoids are polyphenolic compounds with powerful
biological properties. This review aims to summarize recent advances towards
understanding the ability of citrus flavonoids to regulate lipid metabolism and
other metabolic parameters relevant to the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes
and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies suggest an important role of citrus
flavonoids in the treatment of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hepatic
steatosis, obesity and atherosclerosis. The favorable outcomes are achieved
through multiple mechanisms. Human studies focused on dose, bioavailability,
efficacy and safety are required to propel the use of these promising
therapeutic agents into the clinical arena.
Skin health
J Photochem Photobiol B. 2014. Protective effects of citrus and rosemary
extracts on UV-induced damage in skin cell model and human volunteers.
Ultraviolet radiation absorbed by the epidermis is the major cause of various
cutaneous disorders, including photoaging and skin cancers. Although topical
sunscreens may offer proper skin protection, dietary plant compounds may
significantly contribute to lifelong protection of skin health, especially when
unconsciously sun UV exposed. A combination of rosemary and citrus bioflavonoids
extracts was used to inhibit UV harmful effects on human HaCaT keratinocytes and
in human volunteers after oral intake. Survival of HaCaT cells after UVB
radiation was higher in treatments using the combination of extracts than in
those performed with individual extracts, indicating potential synergic effects.
The combination of extracts also decreased UVB-induced intracellular radical
oxygen species (ROS) and prevented DNA damage in HaCaT cells by comet assay and
decreased chromosomal aberrations in X-irradiated human lymphocytes. The oral
daily consumption of 250 mg of the combination by human volunteers revealed a
significant minimal erythema dose (MED) increase after eight weeks. Stronger
protection was achieved after 12 weeks. The combination of citrus flavonoids and
rosemary polyphenols and diterpenes may be considered as an ingredient for oral
photoprotection.
Eyesight Rx with Citrus Bioflavonoids
Improves
day and night vision
Unlike some vision products that provide nutrients and
herbs for long term healthy eyesight support, and prevention of visual
impairment, but don't seem to have much of an immediate effect on visual
acuity, Eyesight Rx was formulated to provide a noticeable
eyesight improvement within days of use. Reports from Eyesight Rx users
indicate enhanced clarity of vision, colors being brighter, better focus,
and overall improvement in close and distance vision. Most people notice improved eyesight within
a few days.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Citrus bioflavonoids complex (eriocitrin, hesperidin,
flavonols,
flavones, flavonoids, naringenin, and quercetin)
Mixed carotenoids (alpha carotene,
astaxanthin,
beta carotene, cryptoxanthin,
Lutein,
Lycopene,
Zeaxanthin)
Bilberry
extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Eyebright
extract (Euphrasia officianales)
Jujube extract (Zizyphus jujube)
Ginkgo biloba
(Ginkgo biloba)
Suma extract (Pfaffia paniculata)
Mucuna pruriens
extract (Cowhage)
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Lycium berry extract (Lycium Barbarum)
also known as Goji Berry
Sarsaparila (Sarsaparilla Smilax)
Alpha Lipoic Acid comes in
r lipoic and s lipoic versions
Citrus Bioflavonoid Research
Hesperidin, a citrus bioflavonoid, inhibits bone loss and decreases
serum and hepatic lipids in ovariectomized mice.
J Nutr. 2003.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether hesperidin inhibits
bone loss in ovariectomized mice (OVX), an animal model of postmenopausal
osteoporosis. Hesperidin administration did
not affect the uterine weight. These results suggest a possible role for
citrus bioflavonoids in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases
because of their beneficial effects on bone and lipids.
Biological properties of citrus bioflavonoids pertaining to cancer and
inflammation.
Curr Med Chem. 2001.
US Citrus and Subtropical Products Laboratory, USDA, ARS, SAA, Winter
Haven, FL
Citrus bioflavonoids encompass a diverse set of structures, including
numerous flavanone and flavone O- and C-glycosides and methoxylated
flavones. Each of these groups of compounds exhibits a number of in vitro
and in vivo anti-inflammatory and anticancer actions. These biological
properties are consistent with their effects on the microvascular
endothelial tissue. Evidence suggests that the biological actions of the
citrus flavonoids are possibly linked to their interactions with key
regulatory enzymes involved in cell activation and receptor binding. The
citrus bioflavonoids show little effect on normal, healthy cells, and thus
typically exhibit remarkably low toxicity in animals. Citrus bioflavonoid extend their influence in vivo through their induction of
hepatic phase I and II enzymes, and through the biological actions of
their metabolites. Evidence clearly indicates to the potential health
promoting properties of these dietary compounds.
Antiproliferative activities of citrus
bioflavonoids against six human cancer cell lines.
J Agric Food Chem. 2002.
U.S. Citrus and Subtropical Products Laboratory, South Atlantic Area,
Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Winter
Haven, Florida
Citrus fruits contain high concentrations of several classes of
phenols, including numerous hydroxycinnamates, flavonoid glycosides, and
polymethoxylated flavones. The latter group of compounds occurs without
glycosidic linkages and has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of a
number of cancer cell lines. This antiproliferative property was further
demonstrated against additional human cancer cell lines, and the
antiproliferative actions of a series of synthetic methoxylated flavones
were also studied. Similar to the naturally occurring compounds, the
synthetic compounds exhibited strong antiproliferative activities. In many
cases the IC(50) values occurred below 10 microm. Other hydroxylated
flavone and flavanone aglycons also exhibited antiproliferative activities
against the cancer cell lines, with the flavones showing greater
activities than the flavanones. Glycosylation of these compounds removed
their activity. The strong antiproliferative activities of the
polymethoxylated flavones suggest that they may have use as anticancer
agents in humans.
Citrus fruits are well known for providing ample amounts of vitamin C. But they also supply citrus bioflavonoids, substances that are not required for life but that may improve health. The major bioflavonoids found in citrus fruits are diosmin, hesperidin, rutin, naringin, tangeretin, diosmetin, narirutin, neohesperidin, nobiletin, and quercetin. Citrus bioflavonoids and related substances are widely used in Europe to treat diseases of the blood vessels and lymph system, including hemorrhoids, chronic venous insufficiency, leg ulcers, easy bruising, nosebleeds, and lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Citrus bioflavonoids are thought to work by strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
Citrus
bioflavonoid supplement questions
Q. You recommend
cycling off of certain supplements. Would this apply to citrus bioflavonoid
supplements? I have been taking citrus bioflavonoids for years and last year
added a diosmin product for hemorrhoids. They work wonders, and would therefore
like to continue taking them. Each day I take: TwinLab 700 mg. of Citrus
Bioflavonoid Complex (containing 50% total bioflavonoids consisting of flavones
(hesperidin, erocitrin, naringen and naringenin), flavanols and flavones), and
rutin (50 mg.). Circulation and Vein Support: Total flavonoids: 320 mg. as
Diosmin 300 mg. as Hesperidin 50 mg. as Rutin 10 mg as Quercetin 10 mg. Grape
seed extract standardized to 90% polyphenols 20 mg. Silicon (from silicon
dioxide/soluble organic silicon) 10 mg. Any suggestions would be greatly
appreciated. In the meantime, I'll continue to read and learn from your research
and wisdom.
A. It is very difficult to know the long term benefits and side
effects of taking citrus bioflavonoids and other supplements for many months and
years since we have little or no human research to give us ideas. As a general
rule, it is a good idea to take a day or two off each week from supplements and
perhaps a week off every two or three months. But there are a number of factors
that influence this guideline since each person has a completely different
biochemistry and diet.