Our immune system is the first line of defense against all disease, especially infectious disease. One nutrient that plays a particularly key role in our immune system’s ability to ward off viral infections is zinc. Research has shown that zinc deficiencies have been shown to impair immune function. The problem with taking zinc supplements is that it is insoluble and cannot easily enter the fatty part of the cells. To be effective zinc must enter all the way into the cell where viral replication occurs. There are supplements that function as Zinc ionophores and help the zinc penetrate the cell and be more useful in fighting viral illness.
Studies found that dietary plant polyphenols called quercetin helps increase zinc’s ability to enter the cell by being increasing the transportation of zinc through the cellular membrane. Quercetin is also a potent antiviral. It can also provide anti-inflammatory benefits, improve brain function, reduce blood pressure, help with allergies, and reduce cancer risks. When quercetin is combined with zinc it helps enhance the benefits of zinc’s role in fighting viral illness by allowing the zinc to be more soluble in the cells.
Quercetin is a naturally found compound in certain vegetables, fruit, tea, and wine. But to achieve the level to help better metabolize zinc it is easiest to acquire through supplements. The average American diet consumes less than 50 mg of quercetin daily. Ranges needed for optimum health benefits and better zinc absorption is 500-1000 mg per day. Quercetin supplements are available at most health stores. Although more expensive the most absorbable and bio available form of quercetin is quercetin phytosome.
