METABOLIC THERAPY

Redefining
Cancer
Treatment

Supplement

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is found naturally in many fruits, vegetables, and grains, with particularly high concentrations in apples, onions, and green tea. Quercetin is known to modulate various cellular signaling pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell cycle regulation.
Pricing

The average market price for quercetin supplements in the UK varies based on factors such as brand, dosage, and formulation:

Typical price range: £10 to £30 for a 30-60 day supply;

Factors affecting price:

  • Dosage: Higher doses generally cost more;
  • Formulation: Enhanced absorption formulas (e.g., with bromelain) may be pricier;
  • Brand reputation: Well-known brands often charge a premium;
  • Organic certification: Organic products typically cost more;
  • Additional ingredients: Combination supplements with other antioxidants or nutrients may have higher prices.

It’s important to note that price doesn’t always correlate with quality. Cancer Warriors should look for reputable brands that provide third-party testing results and clear information about their sourcing and manufacturing processes. Regarding specific product recommendations, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional or refer to independent supplement review websites for current, unbiased information on high-quality quercetin products available in the UK market.

Quercetin

Cancer Impact Summary

Click to Learn More

Full Supplement Details

Quercetin exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms at the molecular level:

Antioxidant activity: Quercetin acts as a powerful scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals. It can directly neutralize these harmful molecules and also enhance the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase.

Anti-inflammatory effects: Quercetin inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). It also suppresses the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), a key transcription factor in inflammation.

Cancer-related pathways: In cancer research, quercetin has shown promise in:

  • Inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various cancer cell lines,
  • Inhibiting angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors),
  • Modulating cell signaling pathways crucial for cancer progression, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK pathways.

Cell cycle regulation: Quercetin can arrest the cell cycle at different phases (G1, S, or G2/M), preventing the proliferation of cancer cells.

Epigenetic modulation: Emerging evidence suggests quercetin may influence gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications. While these findings are promising, most evidence for quercetin’s anti-cancer activity comes from in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (animal) studies. The translation of these effects to human clinical settings requires further investigation through well-designed clinical trials.

Regarding the metabolic theory of cancer, quercetin has been shown to influence cellular metabolism, particularly glucose uptake and mitochondrial function. However, its precise role in this context needs more research to fully elucidate its potential therapeutic implications.

Dosage

Clinical trials are ongoing to determine optimal dosing regimens. In dietary supplement form, typical doses range from 500-1000 mg per day, but these are not specifically for cancer treatment.

Cancer Types Tested Against

Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Leukemia, Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Prostate Cancer

Side Effects

Quercetin is generally well-tolerated when consumed in amounts typically found in foods. However, high-dose supplementation may lead to:

  • Gastrointestinal discomfort: Nausea, bloating, or diarrhea;
  • Headaches;
  • Tingling sensations (paresthesia);
  • Potential interactions with medications:
    • Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin): Quercetin may enhance their effects;
    • Antibiotics: May interfere with absorption of certain antibiotics;
    • CYP3A4 substrates: Quercetin can inhibit this enzyme, potentially affecting drug metabolism.

Long-term safety of high-dose quercetin supplementation has not been thoroughly established. Individuals with kidney problems should be cautious, as high doses might stress the kidneys. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid quercetin supplements due to insufficient safety data.

Combination Therapies

Research on quercetin in combination with conventional cancer therapies shows promising potential:

  • Chemotherapy enhancement: Some studies suggest quercetin may increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to certain chemotherapy drugs, potentially allowing for lower doses and reduced side effects. For example:
    • Increased efficacy of doxorubicin in breast cancer cells,
    • Enhanced cisplatin activity in ovarian cancer models.
  • Radiation therapy: Quercetin has shown radioprotective effects on normal cells while potentially sensitizing cancer cells to radiation damage.
  • Targeted therapies: Preliminary research indicates quercetin may complement the effects of some targeted cancer drugs by inhibiting complementary pathways.
  • Immunotherapy: While not directly involved in immunotherapy, quercetin’s anti-inflammatory properties might support the overall immune response.

However, these findings are primarily from preclinical studies. Clinical trials are needed to validate these combinations, establish optimal dosing regimens, and ensure safety in human cancer warriors. It’s crucial for patients to discuss any supplement use with their oncology team to avoid potential negative interactions.

Quality of Life Effects

While direct studies on quercetin’s impact on quality of life in cancer warriors are limited, some potential benefits can be inferred from its known properties and preliminary research:

  • Antioxidant effects: May help reduce oxidative stress-related fatigue and general malaise;
  • Potential to mitigate some side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties: Could help alleviate inflammation-related symptoms like pain and swelling; May contribute to improved overall well-being.
  • Immune system modulation: Potential to support immune function, possibly reducing the risk of infections during cancer treatment.
  • Cardiovascular health: Some studies suggest quercetin may have cardioprotective effects, which could be beneficial for cancer warriors at risk of treatment-related cardiovascular complications.
  • Neuroprotective potential: Preliminary research indicates quercetin might help protect against chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a common side effect that can significantly impact quality of life.
  • Gastrointestinal health: Some evidence suggests quercetin may help alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms, which are common in cancer warriors and can greatly affect quality of life.

While these potential benefits are promising, it’s important to note that high-quality clinical studies specifically assessing quercetin’s impact on quality of life measures in cancer warriors are still needed. Future research should include validated quality of life assessments and patient-reported outcomes to better understand quercetin’s role in improving overall well-being during cancer treatment.

Answers to all your questions

We’ve done our best to include as much information as possible for this supplement. 

If you have any other questions, please send us a message or join our Skool Group and ask our knowledgeable and friendly community.

Quercetin is widely accessible in the UK and many other countries:

  • Availability: Dietary supplements: Capsules, tablets, and powders; Health food stores; Pharmacies; Online retailers (e.g., Amazon, health-focused e-commerce sites); Some supermarkets with extensive supplement sections.
  • Forms: Capsules: Most common, often 500 mg per capsule; Tablets: Available in various strengths; Powders: For those who prefer to mix their own doses; Liquid extracts: Less common but available.
  • Combinations: Standalone quercetin supplements; Combined with vitamin C or other antioxidants; Part of multi-ingredient formulas (e.g., “immune support” blends).

Regulatory status: UK: Classified as a food supplement, regulated by the Food Standards Agency; EU: Similar classification under European Food Safety Authority guidelines; USA: Dietary supplement, overseen by the FDA but with less stringent regulations than pharmaceuticals.

Prescription status: Generally available over-the-counter without prescription; Not typically prescribed by doctors as a standalone treatment.

While quercetin is easily accessible, it’s crucial for consumers, especially those with health conditions or on medications, to consult healthcare professionals before starting any new supplement regimen.

While specific demographic data for quercetin use in cancer warriors is limited, general trends in clinical trials and supplement use provide some insights:

  • Age: Most studies focus on adult populations, typically 18-75 years old. Some trials specifically target older adults due to higher cancer incidence.
  • Gender: Studies often include both males and females, with some cancer-specific trials (e.g., breast, prostate) focusing on one gender.
  • Cancer types: Research spans various cancer types, with more studies on common cancers like breast, colorectal, and prostate.
  • Stage of disease: Trials include cancer warriors with different disease stages, from early-stage to advanced metastatic cancer.
  • Prior treatments: Some studies focus on treatment-naive cancer warriors, while others include those who have undergone previous therapies.
  • Comorbidities: Patients with certain comorbidities may be excluded from trials to ensure safety and clear interpretation of results.

It’s important to note that demographic representation in clinical trials may not always reflect the broader population of cancer warriors using quercetin supplements. More comprehensive data collection and analysis are needed to fully understand the demographics of quercetin use in cancer care.

While research on specific resistance mechanisms to quercetin in cancer cells is limited, some potential mechanisms have been proposed based on general principles of drug resistance and preliminary studies:

  • Efflux pumps: Cancer cells may upregulate membrane transporters like P-glycoprotein (P-gp) to expel quercetin, reducing its intracellular concentration.
  • Metabolic adaptation: Cells might enhance quercetin metabolism, potentially through increased expression of phase II enzymes, leading to faster clearance.
  • Altered target expression: Changes in the expression or activity of quercetin’s molecular targets could reduce its effectiveness.
  • Activation of alternative pathways: Cancer cells may activate compensatory signaling pathways to bypass quercetin’s inhibitory effects.
  • Epigenetic changes: Long-term exposure to quercetin might induce epigenetic modifications that confer resistance.
  • Antioxidant system modulation: Paradoxically, some cancer cells might adapt to quercetin’s pro-oxidant effects by upregulating their antioxidant defenses.
  • Microenvironment factors: The tumor microenvironment could influence quercetin’s bioavailability or activity within the tumor.

To overcome potential resistance, strategies being explored include:

  • Combination therapies to target multiple pathways,
  • Development of quercetin derivatives with improved bioavailability or target specificity,
  • Nanoformulations to enhance cellular uptake and reduce efflux.

Further research is needed to fully elucidate these mechanisms and develop effective strategies to combat quercetin resistance in cancer therapy.

Numerous preclinical studies have investigated quercetin’s anti-cancer properties across various cancer types and models:

  • In vitro studies: Cell line research: Demonstrated quercetin’s ability to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and modulate signaling pathways in multiple cancer cell types (e.g., breast, colon, prostate, leukemia).
  • Mechanism of action studies: Identified molecular targets and pathways affected by quercetin, including PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling.
  • Combination studies: Explored synergistic effects with conventional chemotherapy drugs and other natural compounds.
  • In vivo animal studies: Xenograft models: Showed quercetin’s potential to reduce tumor growth and metastasis in mice implanted with human cancer cells. Carcinogen-induced models: Demonstrated quercetin’s chemopreventive effects in animals exposed to cancer-causing agents.
  • Pharmacokinetic studies: Investigated quercetin’s bioavailability, metabolism, and tissue distribution in animal models.

Key findings from preclinical research: Dose-dependent anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects; Inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis; Modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress; Potential to enhance the efficacy of standard cancer therapies. While these preclinical studies provide valuable insights, it’s crucial to note that findings from cell cultures and animal models may not always translate directly to human cancer warriors. Factors such as differences in metabolism, immune responses, and the complexity of human cancers can affect outcomes. Therefore, well-designed clinical trials are essential to validate quercetin’s potential as a cancer therapeutic agent in humans.

Find out what trial phases are currently active at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Research on genetic markers influencing quercetin’s efficacy in cancer treatment is still in its early stages. However, some areas of investigation include:

  • Metabolic enzymes: Variations in genes encoding enzymes like catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) may affect quercetin metabolism and bioavailability.
  • Antioxidant response elements: Polymorphisms in Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) pathway genes could influence cellular response to quercetin’s antioxidant effects.
  • Inflammatory pathways: Genetic variations in cytokine genes (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) might modulate quercetin’s anti-inflammatory activity.
  • Drug transporters: Polymorphisms in genes encoding efflux transporters (e.g., ABCG2) could affect quercetin absorption and distribution.
  • Cancer-specific markers: Certain genetic alterations common in specific cancer types (e.g., BRCA mutations in breast cancer) may interact with quercetin’s mechanisms of action.

While these areas show promise, current evidence is not sufficient to guide personalised treatment decisions based on genetic markers. More extensive research, including large-scale genomic studies and clinical trials, is needed to identify reliable genetic predictors of quercetin response in cancer therapy.

If you found this post helpful, please support us and consider sharing:

We'd Love to hear your thoughts!

Related Posts

Bottles of Vitamin E capsules with fresh vegetables and nuts, symbolising its antioxidant properties and natural sources
Supplement

Vitamin E

Could vitamin E be a powerful ally in the fight against cancer? Preclinical studies and emerging clinical evidence hint at

Read More
Illustration of Vitamin A molecules interacting with cancer cells and DNA strands representing gene regulation
Supplement

Vitamin A

Discover the fascinating science behind vitamin A and its emerging role in cancer prevention and therapy. On this page, we

Read More
Illustration of molecular hydrogen interacting with reactive oxygen species inside a human cell with a cancer awareness ribbon in the background
Supplement

Molecular Hydrogen

Explore the fascinating world of molecular hydrogen (H₂) and its emerging role as a supportive treatment for cancer. Drawing on

Read More
Green chlorella tablets in a wooden spoon on a white background symbolising its use as a dietary supplement
Supplement

Chlorella

In this comprehensive post, we explore the latest research on Chlorella—a nutrient-rich green algae—focusing on its promising anti-cancer properties. Learn

Read More

Inducing Apoptosis

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a natural process where cells self-destruct when they are damaged or no longer needed. This is crucial for maintaining healthy tissues and preventing diseases like cancer. 

Drugs and supplements that induce apoptosis help eliminate cancerous cells by triggering this self-destruct mechanism, ensuring that harmful cells are removed without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. 

Understanding and harnessing apoptosis is vital in the fight against cancer, as it targets the root cause of the disease at the cellular level.

Inhibiting Cell Proliferation

Cell proliferation is the process by which cells grow and divide to produce more cells. While this is essential for growth and healing, uncontrolled cell proliferation can lead to cancer.

Drugs and supplements that inhibit cell proliferation help prevent the rapid multiplication of cancerous cells, slowing down or stopping the progression of the disease.

By targeting the mechanisms that drive cell division, these treatments play a vital role in controlling and potentially eradicating cancer.

Targeting Specific Pathways

Cancer cells often hijack specific biological pathways to grow and spread. Drugs and supplements that target these pathways can disrupt the cancer cell’s ability to survive and multiply.

By focusing on the unique mechanisms that cancer cells use, these treatments can be more effective and cause fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies.

Targeting specific pathways is a key strategy in precision medicine, offering a tailored approach to combat cancer at its core.

Angiogenesis Inhibition

Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels form, supplying nutrients and oxygen to tissues. Cancer cells exploit this process to fuel their growth and spread.

Drugs and supplements that inhibit angiogenesis can effectively starve cancer cells by blocking the formation of these new blood vessels.

By cutting off the supply lines that tumors rely on, angiogenesis inhibitors play a crucial role in controlling and potentially shrinking cancerous growths.

Role in Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy harnesses the power of the body’s immune system to combat cancer. By boosting or restoring the immune system’s natural ability to detect and destroy cancer cells, immunotherapy offers a targeted and effective approach to treatment.

Drugs and supplements that support immunotherapy can enhance the immune response, making it more efficient at identifying and attacking cancer cells.

This innovative approach not only helps in treating cancer but also reduces the risk of recurrence, providing a powerful tool in the fight against this disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to the development and progression of cancer.

Drugs and supplements with anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation, thereby lowering the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

By targeting the inflammatory processes, these treatments can help maintain a healthier cellular environment and prevent the conditions that allow cancer to thrive.