Rutin is a bioflavonoid that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables and plants. Buckwheat contains the richest source of rutin; however black tea, citrus fruits, apple peel, cherries, prunes and apricots also contain high amounts. When you ingest rutin, your body converts it to quercetin. This bioflavonoid is a strong antioxidant purported for its ability to chelate heavy metals in your body. While rutin is often touted for a number of health benefits, there is insufficient evidence to support the majority of claims.
Consult with your physician or health care provider prior to taking rutin.
Blood Vessels
According to the Vitamins & Health Supplements Guide, rutin may help to strengthen blood vessel and capillary walls. This bioflavonoid may also improve eye capillary health and help reduce recurrent bleeding problems. Rutin may help treat venous insufficiency, hemorrhoids, glaucoma, cataracts and poor circulation. According to the Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, rutin contains oxerutins which have been shown to improve leg swelling, pain and aching from varicose veins. Rutin can be administered orally, or used topically in a cream form.
Cholesterol
A study published in the March 2009 issue of Basic Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology reported that rutin may additionally help to reduce cholesterol. Researchers studied rutin supplementation in rats with high cholesterol levels. Results showed that rutin, combined with the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, helped to effectively lower cholesterol. Further research on the cholesterol-lowering effects of rutin may be necessary to verify its efficacy.
Anti-inflammatory
According to Dr. Ray Sahelian, rutin may have anti-inflammatory properties. Rutin may be particularly beneficial for reducing inflammation related to colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. A research study published in the February 2005 issue of Biochemical Pharmacology demonstrated that rutin given to mice helped improve colitis. Researchers concluded that rutin may effectively treat or prevent inflammatory bowel disease, and potentially could reduce your chances of developing colorectal cancer, although further studies are needed.
Diabetes Protection
A 2005 published study in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology found that rutin may have a protective effect against the development of type 1 diabetes. Researchers injected mice with a chemical that induces diabetes and administered an injection of liquid rutin 14 days prior to, and 7 days after, the diabetes injection. Researchers found that rutin administration reduced the chance of developing diabetes by as much as 30 percent. They concluded that rutin's antioxidant properties may provide this protective effect, although further research is necessary.
Member Comments