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Quercetin is an often-recommended supplement for allergies, especially hay fever.  I personally take supplements, but I'm aware that they are controversial.  If one can eat enough vegetables, fruits, whole grains, oily fishes and other nutritious foods, it's a heck of a lot better than taking quantities of supplements.  But most of us cannot, or have special needs, and herbal supplements undoubtedly have their place in our diets.  

One has to be aware, however, that using such concentrated natural remedies is a double-edged sword.  First, whole foods have compounds not included in supplements.  Second, the active compounds in commercial supplements are concentrated enough that they must be considered as a drug.   Third, many brands do not have the advertised amount of active ingredient, as they are subject to the same strict controls as, for example, prescription medications.

Read the Third Age report on some dangers and benefits in Quercetin: Controversial Supplement.    It's worth reading; quercetin's reported benefits include not only allergy relief but also help prevent heart disease and cancer.  The article points out that the very best source, and the safest, of this compound is onions.  

Lesser amounts of quercetin are found in red grapes and apples, but onions top the list.  It's so easy to add onions to the diet; don't forget that they, too, are veggies and count towards you five to nine a day!

Third Age suggests:

"To up your intake of quercetin, follow the example of French cuisine and regularly eat onion soup, onion tart, onion omelettes and salads with onion.  And follow it up with red grapes and apples for dessert."

Tastes a lot better than capsules, too!

Related articles:

• Block Bone Loss

• Frazzled Onions

What are your thoughts?  Do you take supplements?

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