Most Absorbable Form of Quercetin
Quercetin phytosome is the most absorbable form of quercetin, providing up to 20 times higher plasma levels compared to unformulated quercetin. 1
Understanding Quercetin Absorption Challenges
Quercetin is a flavonoid with numerous health benefits, but its effectiveness is limited by:
- Poor water solubility leading to low bioavailability when taken orally 2, 1
- Extensive metabolism in the body further reducing its effectiveness 3
Most Absorbable Formulations (Ranked by Bioavailability)
1. Quercetin Phytosome
- Food-grade lecithin-based formulation that dramatically increases absorption 1
- Achieves up to 20 times higher plasma levels than standard quercetin 1
- Demonstrated safety profile with no notable side effects in clinical studies 1
2. Quercetin Supersaturated Drug Delivery System (QSDDS)
- Uses PVP K30 as a crystallization inhibitor to maintain quercetin in a supersaturated state 3
- Achieves 36.05% absolute bioavailability - 10 times higher than standard quercetin 3
- Forms colloidal particles of approximately 200nm when dispersed in water 3
- Maintains supersaturation for more than 12 hours 3
3. Quercetin Cocrystals
- Cocrystallization with compounds like caffeine significantly improves solubility 2
- Quercetin-caffeine cocrystals increase solubility by 14-fold compared to quercetin dihydrate 2
- Translates to up to 10-fold increase in bioavailability 2
4. Quercetin-Loaded Phytosome Nanoparticles
- Prepared using thin film hydration method 4
- Achieves very high encapsulation efficiency (98.4%) 4
- Nano-sized particles (70±7.44 nm) with homogeneous spherical structure 4
- Demonstrated superior therapeutic effects compared to free quercetin at the same doses 4
Factors Affecting Quercetin Absorption
Sugar Moiety Position
- The position of glucose moiety in quercetin glucosides affects absorption 5
- Quercetin-3-glucoside and quercetin-4'-glucoside have similar bioavailability in humans 5
- Both forms are rapidly absorbed with peak plasma concentrations reached within 27-37 minutes 5
Metabolism by Gut Microflora
- Gut microflora in the large intestine metabolize quercetin compounds like rutin 6
- These metabolites include quercetin and phenol derivatives with vicinal hydroxyl groups 6
- These metabolites can effectively neutralize plasma concentrations of glycation agents 6
Clinical Considerations
- When selecting a quercetin supplement, prioritize phytosome or other enhanced delivery forms for maximum absorption 1, 3
- Dose-dependent effects have been observed, with higher doses resulting in better bioavailability 3
- Half-life of elimination is approximately 18 hours, suggesting once-daily dosing may be sufficient 5
- Quercetin has potential drug interactions due to its effects on cytochrome P450 enzymes and transport proteins 6
Caveat
While enhanced delivery systems significantly improve quercetin absorption, individual responses may vary based on factors such as concurrent medication use and gastrointestinal function. The phytosome formulation currently represents the most clinically validated approach for maximizing quercetin bioavailability 1.