| Recently, the profound effect of phytochemicals, which are derived
from plant-based foods in the form of Indole-3 carbinol, quercetin,
hesperidin, and naringin, have been investigated. Certain types of
bioflavonoids have been found to significantly surpass other known
antioxidants in their ability to scavenge free radicals. One group of
bioflavonoids, specifically known as proanthocyanidins, have
extraordinary antioxidant capabilities. The term bioflavonoid refers to a
large family of chemicals found throughout the plant world.
Bioflavonoids are sometimes called vitamin P; however, they are not
technically vitamins. So what exactly is a bioflavonoid? Bioflavonoids
are phytochemicals or plant derivatives which can have remarkable
effects on biochemical pathways in human physiology. There are over
20,000 known bioflavonoids registered in chemical abstracts and over
20 million structures that fit into their chemical classification. Obviously
not all flavonoids are the same.
For this reason, selecting the most biologically valuable compounds is
extremely important when designing any supplement which utilizes
bioflavonoid compounds. Bioflavonoids occur naturally in fruits and
vegetables but they are subject to rapid decomposition and
degradation during storage and cooking. Bioflavonoids are considered
synergists to vitamin C and must be combined with vitamin C (ascorbic
acid) for optimal benefit. |
