Health Benefits Of Rutin : Value Of Rutin Supplements
Rutin is not in a classical list of health supporting nutrients but modern research is starting to show that bioactive compounds like rutin could have potential health benefits and so may have value as a supplement too.
Rutin is a flavonoid glycoside of quercetin. Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid and rutin has minor differences to quercetin. You can find rutin in many plants including apples, mulberries and some citrus fruits. Supplements contain very high amounts of rutin and rutin is considered to be one of the top therapeutically active biocompounds.
Some of the main reported health benefits associated with rutin so far include cardiovascular protective and anti cancer effects within the body. Many of the associated benefits of rutin in the diet or as supplement are thought to result from specific antioxidant traits. Rutin may have influences on mitochondrial health which are important influencers on metabolic wellness.
Here the possible health benefits of rutin will be considered to show how rutin supplements may be of value for your wellbeing.
Rutin And Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular disease is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in modern society. This is because of lifestyle and dietary changes that are influencing our health. Nutrition and an improved intake of fresh foods rich in antioxidants is thought to be one crucial factor in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Rutin was found to have significant effects on LDL which is a big risk factor for the development of cardiovascular health issues. Research shows that rutin interacts with oxidised LDL as an antioxidant. Rutin may significantly reduce levels of oxidised LDL as a supplement and could therefore have cardiovascular health benefits.
Rutin has also been shown to be effective in reducing appearance of varicose veins and haemorrhoids. This is thought to be because of antioxidant properties. Rutin could influence high blood pressure which is another possible health benefit of rutin towards improved vascular health. Rutin lowered blood pressure may also have heart tissue protecting effects. Research also shows that rutin could prevent excess nitric oxide production to conserve vascular health.
Rutin And Cancer
Rutin is a powerful antioxidant because of a flavonol structure. Antioxidant compounds that circulate in the blood stream are able to intercept and cleanse dangerous molecules which could disrupt DNA or important proteins. Changes to portions of our DNA is why cancer occurs and preventing this is important for lowering risks of cancer in the body.
Research has found that rutin has possible actions for the prevention of cancer and this compound may influence cancer signalling pathways. Various studies have found similar results. Supplements containing rutin may provide health benefits in lowering risks of cancer.
Rutin And Memory
Alzheimer’s disease and diseases which affect memory are more widespread in modern society too. Strong antioxidant compounds and supplement formulations are thought to support more optimal brain functioning.
Some studies have found that rutin could reduce memory impairment. This is because of increases in the natural antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase and reductions in inflammatory signals. Rutin caused increases in antioxidant capacity within brain cells could therefore provide health benefits in supporting brain functioning. Rutin has potential to support individuals with vascular dementia.
Recent research has also found that rutin could play a role as a detoxifying compound within the brain. Some metals exert toxic or oxidative effects on cells depending on metal concentration. Rutin has been shown to have the capacity to protect the brain and associated neuronal cells in the cerebral cortex from copper toxicity.
Other studies have found that rutin has metal chelating traits and could also detoxify nerve cells of metals like arsenic or aluminium. This would support nerve and brain cell health with possible improvements in nerve cell conduction too.
There is evidence that rutin could also support improvements in the activity of acetylcholinesterase and reduce inflammatory markers in brain cells. Bioactive rutin could also conserve brain cell integrity and functioning via reduced lipid peroxidation.
Rutin could therefore also support more optimal brain health or memory via neuroprotective functions.
Rutin And Detoxification
Heavy metals are able to effect various tissues. Supplemental rutin may support the health of various organs such as the liver via accelerated detoxification. Rutin could also influence lipid peroxidation in the liver as an antioxidant and may reduce effects of physical fatigue from exercise.
Rutin seems to influence kidney health because of antioxidant effects that could prevent kidney tissue from damage. Various preclinical studies show that rutin has influences within the kidneys which could activate natural kidney protective responses.
The activation or increased production of antioxidant enzymes is also an important pathway in the protection of organs and detoxification processes.
Rutin And Inflammation
Preclinical studies with rutin are showing that this bioactive compound could have a systemic influence on reducing inflammation. Food derived sources of rutin could have possible benefits on metabolic functioning throughout the body partly because of effects on inflammation signals. Metabolic rate is very important for supporting wellbeing because of how influential this is on overall cellular functions on a day to day basis.
Rutin antioxidant action and inflammation reduction within the body may also influence risk of diabetes. This compound may have beneficial influences on GLUT4 levels and glucose intake for those at risk of diabetes.
Rutin And Mitochondrial Health
Rutin supplementation could support health in sufferers of metabolic diseases via reductions in inflammation. Supplementation with rutin could increase mitochondrial DNA content and size which are important influencers on metabolic health.
This compound may also improve genetic expression of genes and proteins which are needed for mitochondrial biogenesis. The overall health of the heart also depends on our mitochondria and their energy production capacity. Rutin may influence heart health via the mitochondria.
Research influenced models show that rutin could provide support overall wellbeing and influence the functioning of various body systems.
Summary
Rutin is not classically associated with health benefits but is emerging as a bioactive compound of value in our diet and as a supplement.
This bioactive compound is a flavonoid glycoside of quercetin and is found in some citrus fruits. Many of the associated benefits of rutin in the diet or as supplement are thought to result from specific antioxidant traits.
Rutin may have affects against LDL as an antioxidant. This means that rutin could have health benefits in improving cardiovascular health. Some studies have found that rutin is affective against varicose veins.
Rutin may also be preventative of cancer. As an antioxidant plant rutin may cleanse the body of harmful cancer causing molecules and rutin may also influence cancer cell signalling.
Many studies have found that there is an association between memory or brain functioning and rutin intake. This may be because of influences on metal detoxification within the brain and localised antioxidant effects. Healthy metal detoxification could also have influences on liver detoxification. The research suggests that rutin is a possible neuroprotective compound that could support brain health.
Rutin may offer health benefits that include support of optimal cardiovascular health and brain health due to the detoxification of harmful compounds.
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