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BioCeuticals

Bioflavonoids: Immune system allies

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Table of Contents

Bioflavonoids, also known as vitamin P due to their effect on vascular permeability,1 are a group of compounds that are found throughout many plants, fruits, vegetables, and leaves.

Bioflavonoids belong to the polyphenol group of plant compounds2 which are an extensive group of phytochemicals produced by plants in response to stress as a plant defence mechanism.3 To date over 8,000 different polyphenols have been identified.3 Though polyphenols differ in chemical structure, all share the same structural feature of an aromatic ring and at least one hydroxyl group.3 (See Figure 1)

Vitamin C and bioflavonoids – the perfect pair

First discovered by accident while trying to isolate vitamin C, Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Györgyi observed that the medicinal benefits of vitamin C were enhanced when used in combination with bioflavonoids rather than using vitamin C alone.4

Bioflavonoids are often found in combination in supplements rather than in isolation, mimicking how they are found in nature and are used frequently due to their ability to modify a range of health conditions.5

CLINICAL TIP:

Flavonoids feature antioxidant properties and may ‘spare’ vitamin C when used in combination due to the ability of flavonoids to scavenge free radicals and chelate redox-active metal ions.1 It is this sparing of vitamin C that may go on to increase the bioavailability of vitamin C1 making the pairing of the two beneficial therapeutically.

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Figure 1: Chemical structure and classifications of polyphenols