Does your horse need quercetin?
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid (phytonutrient) found in foods such as apples, berries, kale, spinach, and broccoli.
A great resource for supporting the immune system, quercetin has risen in popularity over the years and has become a staple in care regimens for horses with allergies.
How quercetin works: reducing histamine
Allergic reactions occur when mast (immune) cells release histamine, a naturally occurring chemical that signals the body to produce a protective, and often inflammatory, response.
Quercetin helps stabilize these mast cells and, therefore, prevents the release of excessive histamine into the tissues and blood. It does this by downregulating the inflammatory signals sent by cytokines (proteins secreted by mast cells) that are elevated during allergies, infections, and inflammatory diseases.1
Click to learn more about histamines and equine allergies
Less histamine released means a reduction of:
Itching
Nasal discharge
Hives
Sneezing
Respiratory irritation
The anti-inflammatory actions of quercetin are plenty, benefitting horses with:
Seasonal skin irritation
Dust sensitivities
Mold sensitivities
Mild airway inflammation
Quercetin is not a steroid
Unlike steroids, quercetin does not suppress the immune system; it can help regulate excessive immune responses.
Important note: Quercetin is similar to an antihistamine drug (e.g. Benadryl®) in that it works gradually – NOT immediately.
Horses with heaves
Similar to asthma in humans, horses with heaves have chronic inflammation, narrowed airways, and airway obstruction. When inflammatory cytokines are inhibited by quercetin, oxidative stress in the lungs can be reduced and heaves can be easier to manage.
A study published in 2019 showed that Quercefit® (a patented form of quercetin) improved asthma management, decreased use of inhalers, and nasal drops. A reduction in oxidative stress was also evident.2
Two forms of quercetin
There are two forms of quercetin:
Quercetin dihydrate: Often labeled as “quercetin powder” or simply “quercetin,” this form has two water molecules attached to it. It is inadequately absorbed in the gut due to its low water solubility and poor membrane permeability; therefore, its ability to dissolve and pass through the intestinal wall is limited.
Quercetin phytosome: This form of quercetin binds to phospholipids (fatty acids with phosphate groups in their molecules) in order to dissolve, cross cell membranes, and reach the blood stream. With the phospholipids (like lecithin, derived from sunflower seeds or soy beans) improving quercetin’s solubility, it is able to dissolve specifically in gastrointestinal fluid and become available for absorption.
Patented quercetin phytosome: Quercefit®
Quercefit® is the only form of quercetin used in BioStar formulas. This quercetin is derived from the flower buds of sophora japonica L. – also known as the Japanese pagoda-tree – and has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Human pharmacokinetic studies on Quercefit® facilitated higher plasma levels of quercetin compared to quercetin dihydrate, with one study showing up to 20 times higher plasma levels of quercetin phytosome (like Quercefit®).3
With these studies indicating such high bioavailability, Quercefit® works more effectively in smaller doses than quercetin dihydrate.
A unique allergy support supplement: BioStar’s Aller-X EQ™
Aller-X EQ™ helps maintain healthy histamine levels and a balanced immune response.
The powder formula includes:
Quercefit®: The patented quercetin phytosome that is more bioavailable than any other form of quercetin
Reed sedge peat: The result of organic matter breaking down, providing fulvic and humic acids that are great for gut support
AlvioLife®: A patented blend of Boswellia serrata and Aegle marmelos (also known as Bengal quince fruit) that offers respiratory and inflammatory response support
Reishi mushroom: An adaptogen that helps balance the effects of physical, chemical, biological, and mental stress
Resveratrol: Sourced from fermented yeast, offering anti-inflammatory support and antioxidant activities
GliSODin®: A patented extract of the enzyme SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD) cultivated from cantaloupes, helping to manage inflammation and oxidative stress4
Aller-X EQ™ stands out in the equine supplement market. The formula incorporates patented, science-supported ingredients that are well known in the human allergy supplement sector for their efficacy and ability to provide beneficial results.
Click here to shop Aller-X EQ™!
Does your dog need quercetin?
As with horses, dogs that deal with itching, respiratory irritation, and other mild allergic reactions can benefit from the addition of quercetin phytosome into their diets.
Buckaroo’s Cool Down K9™ is the first canine supplement to provide dogs with Quercefit® (the same quercetin extract used in Aller-X EQ™!), helping dogs dealing with allergies and overly active histamine responses.
The formula’s other ingredients, like shiitake mushroom and goat whey protein, offer the additional benefit of cooling support for dogs that struggle to regulate excess heat.
Click to read more about the formula Click to shop Buckaroo’s Cool Down K9™!
Dive deeper into the science of quercetin!
Down the Rabbit Hole With Quercetin
by Tigger Montague
References
1 Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity | PubMed Central: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808895/
2 Supplementary prevention and management of asthma with quercetin phytosome: a pilot registry | PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31578841/
3 Improved Oral Absorption of Quercetin from Quercetin Phytosome®, a New Delivery System Based on Food Grade Lecithin | European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics | Springer Nature: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13318-018-0517-3
4 Positive effects of an oral supplementation by Glisodin, a gliadin-combined SOD-rich melon extract, in an animal model of dietary-induced oxidative stress | Phytothérapie | Springer Nature: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10298-015-0928-4
About the Author: With over 30 years experience in the equine and human supplement industry, Tigger Montague knows nutrition from the synthetic side as well as the whole food side. She started BioStar US in 2006 with formulas she created in her kitchen. Before she started the company, she was an avid rider and competitor with eventing and show jumping, until she got hooked on dressage in the late 1980’s. She has competed on horses she’s owned and trained all the way from training level to Grand Prix.
