How Luteolin Supplements Or Foods May Influence Our Wellness
Luteolin is an interesting plant chemical found in various foods and some food supplements too. Significant amounts of luteolin may be found in fruits and vegetables which are readily available to buy at various grocery stores.
Some foods thought to contain relatively high amounts luteolin include celery, parsley, bell peppers and broccoli. Other foods which may contain luteolin are lemons, rooibos tea, green tea and chives.
Because of observed possible effects in research luteolin has been developed into medicinal extracts and supplements. Luteolin has gathered significant interest due to possible effects against the development of cancer.
Researchers have outlined possible effects of luteolin against aggressive cancers such as lung, colon and pancreatic cancers. There is also a possibility that luteolin has an anti inflammatory influence on other aspects of our health including allergies.
The possible effects or influences of luteolin on our overall wellness will be summarised here to show why you may want to include more of this interesting phytochemical in your diet.
Luteolin And Cancer
In the far east luteolin has been embraced in traditional Chinese medicine. Plants rich in luteolin are typically used to treat some diseases including inflammatory disorders and cancers. In addition to this luteolin has been observed to possibly support those with mild allergies as an anti inflammatory phytochemical.
Some researchers have observed effects of luteolin against the development of aggressive tumor cell growths. In a preclinical setting luteolin has been observed to block the development of some cancers such as colon and pancreatic cancers.
Some of the possible effects of luteolin on cancer cells as viewed in a preclinical setting may include protective effects against carcinogens as well as a blocking of the cancer cell cycle. Luteolin has been shown to possibly be able to encourage healthy cell signalling regulation during high cell stress conditions such as those which occur during cancer cell replication events. This includes cell apoptosis or the controlled death of cancer cells.
Most the possible effects of luteolin on the development and manifestation of cancer as identified from research are likely because of the antioxidant qualities of luteolin. Oxidative stress is recognised as having significant influences on the development of various cancers.
Antioxidants such as luteolin or vitamin C and overall antioxidant status is being increasingly suggested as having supportive effects in various stages of cancer. Antioxidant status is very much seen as a preventative of the development of various cancers.
As a plant flavonoid luteolin has natural effects against oxidative stress. While possibly not as strong as vitamin C or glutathione plant flavonoids such as luteolin may have supportive effects on our overall antioxidant capacity. So far about 5000 flavonoids have been identified in plants which may influence our overall wellbeing.
Anti Inflammatory Effects Of Luteolin
Gut inflammation and inflammatory gut disorders are on the rise globally with many individuals suffering from inflammatory diseases such as IBD. This is especially true in newly industrialized nations.
Plant phytochemicals such as luteolin may have positive influences on the progression and prevention of inflammatory gut disorders.
One study outlines some preventative suppression of inflammation within the gut environment with the right amount of luteolin. Luteolin could have significant suppressive effects on inflammatory cytokines in the gut. This could ease the extent of inflammation in this area of the body. While this needs further investigation this is certainly a promising development in terms of the possible health effects of luteolin.
Other studies have found similar with effects possibly because of an antioxidant and calming influence on our gut environment. The natural anti inflammatory effects of luteolin as a flavonoid may also influence outcomes of skin psoriasis.
Effects of Luteolin On Our Gut Bacteria
Our gut microbiome is also being increasingly recognised as having a very significant role in supporting our overall wellbeing. This includes healthy gut bacteria which thrive in our guts. These bacteria help to maintain the overall health of the intestines and also contribute to other aspects of our wellness.
Luteolin is thought to be able to support some of the more health promoting or supportive gut bacteria. This was observed by one study to have an influence on the extent of inflammation within the intestines. That could influence the risks of developing colorectal tumors.
Anti Diabetic Effects
Because of anti inflammatory influences luteolin could also have a significant effect on blood insulin. In a preclinical study luteolin was able to encourage healthier blood glucose levels as a result of improvements in circulating insulin. This is an influential factor on the development of diabetes.
Proinflammatory cytokines are known to have a role in the development of diabetic complications. Luteolin could reduce pancreas beta cell dysfunction through anti inflammatory effects and in doing so protect insulin production. This would have various effects on our overall wellbeing.
Nerve Protective Influences
Other influences of luteolin on the functioning of our body system may include neuroprotection. Luteolin has been shown to be able to cross the blood brain barrier. Once again an inflammation suppressing action from luteolin was observed in a preclinical study to have a possible and significant influence on aspects of memory.
Luteolin could reduce the amounts of pro inflammatory cytokines within nerve cells. Nerve cell inflammation may be then reduced by luteolin. This could influence conditions such as mild brain fog or impaired concentration.
These are interesting developments which need further study. Some researchers have started to study the effects of luteolin on age related cognitive diseases. This includes Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinsons. Some researchers have found that luteolin could be a neurotrophic or nerve growth factor which supports healthy nerve cell development.
Kidney And Heart Protective Effects
Luteolin is also thought to have possible protective effects on kidney health. One study identified luteolin as being able to support the natural detoxification processes which occur in the kidneys. This is again thought to be the result of antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects within the kidneys.
Preclinical studies have found that luteolin could boost the amounts of some health supportive antioxidant enzymes which our bodies naturally produce. This would be supportive of kidney health.
Luteolin may also be preventative of heart diseases. Research supports various cardioprotective effects of luteolin. Once again anti inflammatory actions may be the way through which these cardioprotective effects could work. Preclinical studies support luteolin as having a mild ability to reduce oxidative damage and inflammation. These are both important in maintaining optimal heart functioning.
Overall luteolin has a lot of promise as a compound which may support our overall wellbeing. While luteolin needs further study a lot of possible effects on our wellness have been identified from kidney protective actions to the support of optimal gut health.
Summary
Luteolin is a flavonoid which has been suggested to influence various aspects of our wellbeing. This is why luteolin is increasingly being found in various food supplements. You can increase the amount of luteolin you intake through your diet by eating foods such as parsley and broccoli.
This flavonoid has antioxidant effects and so has been thoroughly studied in relation to the prevention of some cancers. Traditional Chinese medicine has embraced luteolin containing plants and uses them to assist with inflammatory disorders.
Luteolin has been observed in preclinical studies to be able to promote healthy cell cycles during cancer events. This includes the activation of controlled cancer cell death known as apoptosis. Oxidative stress is a significant influencer on cancer development and progression. As an antioxidant flavonoid extracts containing luteolin may directly influence cancer prevention and risk of developing cancers. Luteolin has been shown to protective of antioxidant status.
As a flavonoid luteolin may also have a positive influence on gut inflammation. Luteolin could directly suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines within the gut environment. This could be because of antioxidant qualities. Luteolin could also improve levels of health promoting gut bacteria too.
The anti inflammatory effects of luteolin once consumed may also be able to positively influence cognition and skin psoriasis. Luteolin has also been shown to have positive effects on important factors which may influence the risk of diabetes. This includes things like insulin production and blood glucose levels.
Overall the research shows that luteolin has a lot of possible effects on our wellness. These need to be reviewed further to be conclusive. This flavonoid has a lot of promise as a health supportive plant compound.
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