What is Dihydroquercetin and why it might be interesting for you?
Dihydroquercetin, known in the USA and Europe as taxifolin, is a member of the group of bioflavonoids — substances of plant origin.
Flavonoids are plant pigments that are formed and deposited in different parts of the plant, and from a chemical point of view, these are phenolic compounds that can be actively oxidized (antioxidants). This property is the basis of the pharmacological action of flavonoids. Flavonoids are found in almost all plants. They participate in the processes of cellular respiration, protect plants from harmful influences and form their pigmentation. Currently, about 4000 bioflavonoids are known.
Chemical structure of dihydroquercetin
Dihydroquercetin (taxifolin) in terms of chemical structure refers to polyphenolic compounds. It is a bioflavonoid of natural origin and belongs to the group of flavanones (flavanonols). The dihydroquercetin molecule contains two asymmetric carbon atoms — C-2 and C-3, therefore, it can exist in the form of 4 enantiomers (two pairs of diastereoisomers). The main natural isomer is trans — (+) — (2R3R) — dihydroquercetin.
Dihydroquercetin production.
Previously, rose petals, ginkgo biloba stems, and grape seeds were used as raw materials for the production of dihydroquercetin (DHQ). These raw materials are very expensive, and therefore the price for preparations containing dihydroquercetin was high. One gram of DHQ on the pharmaceutical market cost from 500 to 1000 US dollars.
What is Dihydroquercetin and why might you be interested in it?
In 1960, Russian scientists paid attention to Siberian and Daurian larch. As a result of the work carried out, a pure crystalline powder of high purity was obtained at an affordable price. In 1996, the antioxidant dihydroquercetin was included in the State Register of Medicines of the Russian Federation.
Biological activity of dihydroquercetin.
The spectrum of action of dihydroquercetin is extremely wide, but today, its main property is high antioxidant activity, that is, the fight against free radicals.
From literary sources in recent years, it is known that free radicals, against which the action of dihydroquercetin is directed, are responsible for the occurrence of more than sixty diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, ischemia, diseases of the nervous and immune systems, and skin diseases.
- Regulates metabolic processes at the level of cell membranes, has a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect
- Improves the condition of bone, cartilage and connective tissue, strengthens blood vessels and capillaries, helps to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and prevents the formation of blood clots.
Protects the stomach and liver from harmful effects, activates the processes of restoration of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum. - It is a powerful prophylactic agent for the main diseases of aging: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, brain diseases.
- By increasing the resistance of the body tissues to the damaging effect of excess sugar in the blood, dihydroquercetin reduces the likelihood of diabetes mellitus, facilitates the course of the developed forms.
- It has a positive effect on the nervous system and activates nervous processes. Especially valuable is the ability of dihydroquercetin to inhibit the development of tumor cells, triggering the mechanism of their self-destruction, without suppressing the division of normal cells.
Thus, the presence of even a small amount of the antioxidant dihydroquercetin in the daily diet may provide the prevention of several classes of diseases, such as cardiovascular, tumor, metabolic, musculoskeletal, and has a rejuvenating and therapeutic effect.
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