Sometimes known as flavonoids or vitamin P. There are more than 4,000 isolated flavonoiods with a wide range of abilities. They posess antiviral, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and antioxidant activities. Several of these compounds appear to be more effective antioxidants than vitamin C or E and can protect low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) from oxidation. They may also lower choleserol levels, offer further protection against cardiovascular disease and many circulation problems such as peripheral hemorrhage, swelling of the legs due to water retention, diabetic retinopathy and high blood pressure.
Considerable research shows antiviral activity associated with polio, influenza, hepatitis types A & B, herpes simplex 1, human T-cell leukemia type I and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Some flavonoiods behave as phytoestrogens and encourage a better balance of estrogen. There are some reports that flavonoids are used successfully in the treatment of osteoporosis as a safe alternative to estrogen-replacement therapy. Some flavonoids have demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of various cancers that are resistant to chemotherapy in both cell lines (cultures of cells grown in petri dishes and living organisms).
The synergistic effects of flavonoids (like increasing Vitamin C absorption) are important in all of the above activities and is an important life nutrient.
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