---

Roses are red, violets are blue, oranges are orange, and lemons are yellow. Is this a rhyme gone wrong? No, it’s the beginning of a recipe for good health. Each of these and, in fact, almost every plant whether fruit, vegetable or flower contains an ingredient that gives the plant its color and helps ward off natural predators. That ingredient is bioflavonoids and, in the human, their function is much the same. Find out why you need bioflavonoids, and how you can get them.

Bioflavonoids, also known as flavonoids, are sometimes called ‘nature’s biological modifiers.’ Their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties boost the immune system to protect us from viruses, carcinogens and allergens, and help fight the free radical damage that can make us ill and old before our time both inside and out.

What can bioflavonoids do for you?

Studies have shown that bioflavonoids help strengthen the walls of capillaries the blood vessels that enable hormones, nutrients, antibodies and oxygen to travel to our cells and help prevent bruising, bleeding gums and hemorrhaging in the brain and retina.

Bioflavonoids also help blood clots, protect us from carcinogens that invade the heart and blood cells, stop or slow the growth of malignant cells, and act as natural antibiotics.

But that’s not all. Bioflavonoids are vital elements in over three hundred different bodily functions. Here’s the rundown on just a few of the most widely known:

- Quercetin provides the quick response to an allergic reaction or inflammation. It’s also a powerful free radical fighter, can inhibit the spread of viruses, treat varicose veins and bruises, and may be helpful in the fight against many diseases including Alzheimer’s and cancer. Your best source of quercetin is apples -- yes, an apple a day may keep the doctor away -- but it can also be found in onions, blueberries and cranberries.

- Epicatechin is largely used for heart health as it maintains the integrity of the blood vessels. A study published in the January 16 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found epicatechin to be directly linked to improved circulation and other elements of cardiovascular health. Epicatechin is plentiful in blueberries and grapes, as well as some teas and cocoas. (That’s right, chocoloate!!)

- Polyphenols are more powerful antioxidants than both vitamins C and E and are the ingredients that give green tea its reputation as a health drink. In addition to fighting free radicals, studies have also shown polyphenols may boost the immune system, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and inhibit the development of cancer. Polyphenols are found in many foods, including grapes, green tea, soybeans and wine -- some are even derived from tree bark.

- Oligomeric proanthocyanidins do just about everything -- strengthen blood vessels, fight free radicals, and inhibit the destruction of collagen, the protein that supports many tissues throughout the body, gives us strong bones, hair and teeth, and provides the structure that keeps our skin firm. Where can you get them? The black chokeberry has the highest content found so far, but they are also found in pine bark, grape seeds, grape skin, certain red wines, bilberries, cranberries, chokeberries, black currants, and green and black teas.

Bioflavonoids work in tandem with vitamin C: they are somewhat interdependant. In fact, researchers have found that many of the functions attributed to vitamin C are actually performed by bioflavonoids.

If you’re looking for an overall boost, bioflavonoids are one of the best choices you can make. They’re available as supplements with vitamin C, or by themselves. Many people currently taking vitamin C alone really notice the difference when they add bioflavonoids to the mix. Give them a try. With so much to offer there’s really nothing to lose, and a lot to gain.

Related Articles on Supplements

1. Synthetic Human Growth Hormone
   
2. Moringa - The breast feeding supplement
   
3. Vitamin ABCs: Pomegranates Aren’t Just for Stained Fingers Anymore
   
4. Moringa - The vision improver
   
5. Moringa - The health supplement
   
6. VITAMIN ABCs: Is Coral Calcium Better Than Other Forms?
   
7. Moringa - The Natural cure for Macular degeneration
   
8. Moringa - The Natural Calcium Supplement
   
9. Moringa - The Natural Health Supplement for Menopause
   
10. How Omega-3 helps your mind and body
    
11. What is Calcium?
    
12. Benefits of GHr1000, Sytropin and Genf20 on bodybuilding
    
13. Nutrition Supplements & Vitamins - Knowing then Buying
    
14. Benefits of Whey Protein
    
15. Curcumin – The Most Powerful Antioxidant
    
16. Natural HGH Supplement
    
17. Are Fish Oil Vitamins Necessary?
    
18. Tea Tree Oil
    
19. What Is A Fraudulent Taheebo Product?
    
20. Health Benefits Of Garlic, Garlic As Wonder Herb
    

Latest Articles on Supplements

1. Health Benefits Of Garlic, Garlic As Wonder Herb
   Chinese people have known of the health benefits of raw garlic for thousands of years. In China, apart from being used to flavor food, garlic is also traditionally used in teas and folk remedies. Why? Garlic is one of nature's strongest immune system boosters, and a powerful antibiotic, digestive aid and libido enhancer....
2. What Is A Fraudulent Taheebo Product?
   "Taheebo" is the South American name for a tree. It grows in Brazil, Argentina and many other countries. The bark of this tree has been used for centuries by the natives of each of these countries -- used to treat all sorts of serious health problems, but particularly to treat cancer....
3. Tea Tree Oil
   Tea Tree Oil is one of the most useful products in nature. It has been used by some Aboriginal People in Australia for many centuries as one of their most useful medicines. Tea Tree oil is derived from Melaleuca Alternifloria which is a narrow-leafed paper bark tree that is native to certain parts of Australia....
4. Are Fish Oil Vitamins Necessary?
   What are fish oil vitamins first? Fish oil can be obtained from two parts of the fish: the flesh and the liver. The fish oil extracted from the flesh has a high concentration of EPA and DHA, the two most essential omega-3 fatty acids. The fish oil from the liver also has this, but it also has a high content of Vitamins A and D....
5. Natural HGH Supplement
   Natural HGH supplement is available in many forms. They act naturally, increasing your natural production of HGH. All of them are to be taken before bedtime, as our bodies naturally produce HGH while we sleep. Natural HGH taking control of your life, by making sure you are as healthy as you can be while growing older, will improve your quality of life by taking natural HGH....
6. Curcumin – The Most Powerful Antioxidant
   Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family, is a traditional Indian curry spice. It is also used as a yellow food coloring and has been used in traditional medicine in India and Ancient Egypt for at least 6000 years. Several natural substances have greater antioxidant effects than conventional vitamins, including various polyphenols, flavonoids and curcumenoids....
7. Benefits of Whey Protein
   Whey protein is a dairy-based source of amino acids that supports protein synthesis. Considered a fast protein because it hits the bloodstream quickly. Contains branched chain amino acids — made up of Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine which are important for the maintenance of muscle tissue. Has a high protein digestibility, biological value, protein efficiency ratio, and amino acid score...
8. Nutrition Supplements & Vitamins - Knowing then Buying
   In this article information is presented on Nutrition, supplements and vitamins. In addition, recommendations for buying nutraceuticals have been made. I propose to redefine functional foods and nutraceuticals. When food is being cooked or prepared using "scientific intelligence" with or without knowledge of how or why it is being used...
9. Benefits of GHr1000, Sytropin and Genf20 on bodybuilding
   Human growth hormone, commonly referred to as HGH, is a hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland and helps in regulating the growth of tissues, repair of cell, while promoting fat loss, muscle development. HGH is considered to be an important hormone in the development of the human body. The role of HGH in the body is prominent during puberty as the levels of the hormone dictate the height...
10. What is Calcium?
    Calcium is the primary mineral responsible for bone well-being, and it is needed every day. This essential mineral promotes bone strength and provides the building blocks for strong teeth. Calcium plays an especially vital role in achieving peak bone mass in children and young adults. In addition to contributing to bone health, Calcium helps promote healthy blood and heart function, muscle contrac...

Related topics in Health & Fitness

Submit Articles © 2009 KeepArticles.com, All Rights Reserved.