The Nutrient-Rich Benefits of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Concept Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Fresh Produce, Nutrient-Rich Diet, Eating Healthily

Beneficial Actions of Flavonoids

Minimizing exposure to potential triggers (e.g. allergens, foods, heat, stress) is
clearly important, especially avoiding histamine-rich foods (e.g. avocado, cheese,
eggplant, nectarines, sardines, spinach, spices, tomatoes). Supplementation with
the main histamine metabolizing enzyme, diamine oxidase (DAO) shortly before
meals could also be beneficial.
Certain naturally occurring flavonoids, commonly found in fruits, green plants and
seeds, have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, not all
of them are safe and many (polyphenolics like resveratrol) can cause
hyperactivity, while others (like soy flavonoids) could be detrimental because of
their estrogenic effects. Moreover, flavonoids are difficult to dissolve and less
than 10% are absorbed from the intestine in powder form thus leading to
flavonoid accumulation in the gut and inhibition of gut enzymes causing
dysbiosis. To make matters worse, most supplements do not indicate either the
source or the purity of the flavonoids (e.g. a cheap source is peanut shells) with
the risk of unexpected adverse reactions.
After 30 years of studies with numerous publications and patents, we concluded
that the flavone luteolin (Lut) -not lutein which is a carotenoid- stands out
because it significantly inhibits the activation of both mast cells and microglia
(Figure 8). We then showed that tetramethoxyluteolin (Methlut), the novel
structural analogue of luteolin, is an even more potent inhibitor than luteolin and
has been incorporated into a skin lotion (GentleDerm®) because unlike other
flavonoids, it has no color.
Algonot has formulated luteolin with or without quercetin (98% purity, assayed by
the independent laboratory Eurofins) in olive pomace oil (softgel capsules) to
increase intestinal absorption and provide the added benefits of unsaturated fatty
acids and anti-inflammatory actions of olive oil.
Cognizant of the fact that some 20% of individuals are sensitive to phenolic
compounds (found in berries, flavonoids and chocolate), Algonot TM  created the
trademarked and patent-protected PureLut® (only luteolin), NeuroProtek-Low
Phenol® (same amount of luteolin but less quercetin) and NeuroProtek-Low
Phenol-Liquid® in dropper bottles for children who cannot swallow capsules.
As a way of helping the unsuspected consumers, we published an editorial
where most available dietary supplements containing luteolin were compared
(Biofactors). It was obvious that the labels were very misleading because purity
and source were not disclosed, in some instances the content had no color
(luteolin and quercetin are yellow), while in other instances small print indicated you had to take multiple doses to reach the amount stated on the label. In any
event, combination of flavonoids should not exceed 2,000 mg/day without
medical supervision as they may inhibit liver metabolic enzymes.

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Theoharides T. et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2024 8:1-7.

Theoharides TC. Biofactors. 2021;47(2):139-140.

Theoharides TC. Biofactors. 2021;47(2):242-244.