Ingredient Highlights

NT Factor® :

Aging and chronic disease, specifically asthma, are marked by deterioration of the lipids in the cell and mitochondrial membranes of our bodies. Decreased concentration of the phosphplipids in the cells lining the respiratory tracts have been observed^[1]. NT Factor® is a nutrient compound that provides phospholipids and has been proven in clinical studies to restore membrane health^[3]. Oxygen utilization at the cellular level is a function of the membrane, specifically the mitochondrial membrane. NT Factor restored mitochondrial function in elderly persons to levels normal for healthy young adults in 8 weeks^[2].

NT Factor is a blend of nutrients that includes phosphoglycolipids extracted using proprietary technology plus antioxidants. Published research states that the phospholipids in NT Factor closely match the phospholipids normally found in healthy human cell membrane and that NT Factor is in effect lipid replacement therapy (LRT) plus antioxidants^[3]. LRT is not just the dietary substitution of certain phospholipids with proposed health benefits; it is the actual replacement of damaged cellular phospholipids with undamaged phospholipids to ensure proper structure and function of cellular structures, mainly cellular and organelle membranes. This constitutes the most important functional use of lipids in our bodies^[3]. ( Click here to view a list of NT Factor related publications.)

1] Ceve G (eds)1993 Phospholipids Handbook , New York: Marcel Dekker Inc, pp 901-8

2] Agadjanyan, M., Vasilevko, V., Ghochikyan, et al. Nutritional supplement (NT Factor) restores mitochondrial function and reduces moderately severe fatigue in aged subjects.J Chronic Fatigue Syndr 2003; 11(3): 23-36

3] Nicolson G.L., Lipid Replacement Therapy as an Adjunct for Chronic Fatigue, Anti-Aging and Restoration of Mitochondrial Function. JANA. 2003; 6(3):22-28

Quercetin:

Quercetin’s effect on allergies is unmatched by other natural substances. It inhibits phospholipase A (responsible for converting phospholipids into arachidonic acid), lipoxygenase (responsible for converting arachidonic acid into leukotrienes)(2), platelet aggregation, and mast cell and basophil degranulation (3,4).

Quercetin has been shown to bind to calcium/calmodulin complexes, preventing the influx of calcium into mast cells and basophils (3,6). This inhibition prevents the mast cells from destabilizing and degranulating, keeping histamine and other preformed mediators from being released (7). In fact, quercetin so consistently blocks calcium induced mast cells destabilization that researchers often use it in experiments as a control substance for such activity (4,5).

Like most biologically active flavonoids, quercetin’s pharmacology is quite interesting. The absorption of quercetin is about 20-52% depending on the form (8,9). While this may seem quite low, the elimination of quercetin and its derivatives is very low, and high plasma levels are easily maintained with a regular supply of quercetin in the diet (10). Studies conducted in rats showed that more than 25% of the absorbed quercetin was localized in the lung tissue, an added benefit to combat allergy and associated asthma (11).

Patients should begin to take quercetin upon the first signs of allergen exposure. Quercetin is prophylactic (stabilizing mast cells rather than blocking histamine) and will stay in the blood stream. Symptom relief may begin in the first several hours. Quercetin is extremely safe, and has so many other benefits (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, capillary stability etc.) it can help in the foundation of any natural approach to allergic rhinitis therapy.

REFERENCES
1. Nishino, H. et.al. Quercetin interacts with Calmodulin, a calcium regulatory protein. Experientia 1984; 40:184-5.
2. Yoshimoto, T. et.al. Flavonoids: Potent inhibitors of arachindonate 5-lipoxygenase. Biochem Biophys Res Com, 1983; 116:612-618
3. Middleton, E. et.al. Quercetin: An inhibitor of antigen-induced human basophil histamine release. Journal of Immunology, 1981; 127(2):546-550.
4. Otsuka, H. et.al. Histochemical and functional characteristics of metachromatic cells in the nasal epithelium in allergic rhinitis: studies of nasal scrapings and their dispersed cells. J. Allergy Clin Immunol, 1995; 96(4):538-536.
5. Szabo, A. et.al. Mucosal permeability changes during intestinal reperfusion injury. The role of mast cells. Acta Chir Hung, 1997; 36(1-4): 334-336.
6. Fewtrell, C.M. and B.D. Gomperts. Quercetin: a novel inhibitor of Ca2+ influx and exocytosis in rat peritoneal mast cells. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1977; 469(1): 52-60.
7. Leung, K.B., et.al. Differential effects of anti-allergic compounds on peritoneal mast cells of the rat, mouse and hamster. Agents Actions, 1984;14(3-4): 461-467.
8. Hollman, P.C., et.al. Bioavailability of the dietary antioxidant flavonol quercetin in man. Cancer Lett, 1997;114(1-2): 139-140.
9. Hollman, P.C. and M.B. Katan. Bioavailability and health effects of dietary flavonols in man. Arch Toxicol Suppl, 1998;20: 237-248.
10. Manach, C. et.al. Bioavalability of rutin and quercetin in rats. FEBS Lett. 1997; 409(1): 12-16.
11. Petrakis, P.L. et.al. Metabolic studies of quercetin labeled with 14 C. Arch. Biochem Biophys. 1959; 85:264-7