Our ancestors have always stressed the importance of eating green vegetables as well as bright-coloured fruits. As we go through a busy lifestyle, people are showing greater affinity towards fast food items which are full of Carbs and fatty...
Our ancestors have always stressed the importance of eating green vegetables as well as bright-coloured fruits. As we go through a busy lifestyle, people are showing greater affinity towards fast food items which are full of Carbs and fatty acids. This change in lifestyle has also increased the number of people affected by cardiovascular diseases and more.
They say, Desperate times call for desperate measures and people have been going back to nature looking for solutions to their troubles. Nature has the answer and one such component occurring naturally in fruits and veggies is Luteolin. It is quite the rave these days and we will tell you why.
What Is Luteolin?
Luteolin is a naturally occurring compound that is yellow in colour. It is primarily found in some flowers and vegetables like broccoli, artichokes, celery and some kinds of oranges. Luteolin can only be consumed if we eat these veggies and if you are someone who hates anything green, chances are you have had lesser than 1% of it in your lifetime.
Why Luteolin?
Luteolin can be categorized as a flavonoid that helps plants in maintaining their health. Some researchers claim that this property can help human beings ward off some of the most life-threatening diseases. According to the paper “Luteolin, a flavonoid with potential for cancer prevention and Therapy” (2008),
Luteolin has always been a part of Chinese traditional medicine thanks to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it also contains a unique mechanism at a molecular level making it ideal to treat allergies. While nothing has been established, researchers are aiming to get a positive result.
What Is It Used For?
We know that the studies are quite in their infancy to claim anything with surety. However, if established it could be used in the following areas-
1. To Treat Allergies
Allergies bother all of us and therefore getting a panacea for the same is a dream come true. Luteolin is known to be an antihistamine means one that fights again allergies. It also helps in stabilizing mast cells that fight off allergies, clear mucus from the airway and regulate the production of cytokines.
2. Keep Your Heart Healthy
All the vegetables are good for your health and so are the components. Luteolin also falls into that category. Not only does it help the heart clear build-up or blockage, but it also promotes cell growth in them.
3. Might Be Useful For Warding Off Brain Degenerative Diseases
Brain degenerative diseases are extremely hard on the patient as well as the caretakers. So anything that helps with it can be called no less than a magic potion. Apparently, Luteolin showed many promising results when tested on animals. If the scientists are to be believed, it can become useful in the future to mitigate Alzheimer’s and ASD.
4. Might Be Cancer Wonder Drug
Cancer researchers work day and night to discover that one solution that can cure people dying from this awful disease. When a person is affected with cancer, their cell begins to change and multiply yet again.
Luteolin is said to amplify the effects of Chemotherapy and even be a major player in target-based chemotherapy. The best part is that the Flavanoid has no side effects which is usually the case with other supplements.
5. Diabetes
We all know fruits are a natural source of sugar needed for energy and unlike artificial sweeteners, it doesn’t add to your blood sugar. Most importantly, it can also help modulate the Insulin level.
6. Anxiety Or Depression
Mental health is equally important as physical and many people deal with anxiety as a result of medication, stress or traumas. Luteolin does become helpful in calming one’s brain as well as stopping seizures.
Precautions
Luteolin is yet to pass human trials. Though it has been effective in rats, it cannot be interpreted that it may work the same on humans. Albeit trivial pieces of evidence have surfaced where some of the test subjects are pregnant, who are on the Autism spectrum and one with poor gut health.
How Can You Take It?
It is usually available in some vegetables mentioned above or you can buy powders or tablets. Please consult a professional before taking any kind of supplement.
The post What Is Luteolin Used For? Discover Its Health Benefits appeared first on Tocagen.
