Bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids Recently, the profound effect of phytochemicals, which are derived from plant-based foods in the form of Indole-3 carbinol, quercetin, hesperidin, and naringin, have been investigated. Certain types of bioflavonoids have been found to significantly surpass other known antioxidants in their ability to scavenge free radicals. One group of bioflavonoids, specifically known as proanthocyanidins, have extraordinary antioxidant capabilities. The term bioflavonoid refers to a large family of chemicals found throughout the plant world. Bioflavonoids are sometimes called vitamin P; however, they are not technically vitamins. So what exactly is a bioflavonoid? Bioflavonoids are phytochemicals or plant derivatives which can have remarkable effects on biochemical pathways in human physiology. There are over 20,000 known bioflavonoids registered in chemical abstracts and over 20 million structures that fit into their chemical classification. Obviously not all flavonoids are the same. For this reason, selecting the most biologically valuable compounds is extremely important when designing any supplement which utilizes bioflavonoid compounds. Bioflavonoids occur naturally in fruits and vegetables but they are subject to rapid decomposition and degradation during storage and cooking. Bioflavonoids are considered synergists to vitamin C and must be combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for optimal benefit.