When Chronic Pain Becomes Too Much, Try Quercetin
Chronic pain is the most prevalent medical condition worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions of people. Beyond traditional pain medications, there aren’t many options for people suffering. When chronic pain becomes too much, people often seek functional medicine solutions and alternate methods of healing.
Mounting research suggests quercetin may help fill the gap and provide much-needed pain relief. We’ll dive into the topic of quercetin and pain in today’s article and answer these questions
- What is chronic pain, and how is it treated?
- How does quercetin help chronic pain?
- What is the best way to use quercetin supplements?
“Mounting research suggests quercetin may help fill the gap and provide much-needed pain relief.”
Chronic Pain
Pain is an essential mechanism in the body associated with the inflammatory process. Pain helps alert the brain that there is a problem and that it’s time to rest and heal. In many cases, the body does heal, and the pain resolves.
“Pain is an essential mechanism in the body associated with the inflammatory process.”
Chronic pain refers to pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks, even after an injury has healed. It can occur after surgery or trauma or from cancer, arthritis, nerve damage, and migraine. Changes in the brain, neuroinflammation (brain and nervous system inflammation), and increased sensitivity to sensory information contribute to chronic pain. (Source 1)
The most common treatment approaches to chronic pain are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and opioids, but these options carry significant side effects with long-term use. (Source 2)
A functional medicine model seeks to understand the root causes of pain and sustainable treatment approaches. Lifestyle factors, such as sedentary behavior, inflammatory diet, stress, and poor sleep can worsen. Addressing these factors can help lessen pain. (Source 1)
Additionally, bioactive compounds, including quercetin, are becoming promising interventions, as they can help address some underlying mechanisms contributing to chronic pain.
Additionally, bioactive compounds with flavonoids, including quercetin, are becoming promising interventions, as they can help address some underlying mechanisms contributing to chronic pain. They may also help promote a healthy immune system and have other beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory properties.
Quercetin Supplementation for Chronic Pain
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid in plants like onions, apples, berries, broccoli, and tea. It’s one of the most studied compounds; as a supplement it is helpful for allergies, anti-aging benefits, disease prevention, and more. Read more details in What is Quercetin Used For?
Pain management is an emerging area of study. Mainly using animal models, researchers have discovered quercetin is involved in several pain pathways. It may help reduce pain by:
- Reducing neuroinflammation – Inflammation in the central and peripheral nervous systems is involved in pain. Quercetin is anti-inflammatory. (Source 2)
- Reducing oxidative stress – Quercetin is an antioxidant that can scavenge free radicals and protect cells. It also promotes the production of other antioxidants, including glutathione. These antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress related to pain. (Source 2)
- Increasing synaptic plasticity – With chronic pain, the nervous system is oversensitive to inputs, and quercetin can help the system adapt and regulate its sensitivity. (Source 2)
- Promoting GABA – Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that works to calm the nervous system. Quercetin can bind to GABA receptors for this effect. (Source 2)
- Supports the opioid system – The body has an endogenous (internal) opioid system involved in pain management. Quercetin may help modulate this system to help relieve pain. (Source 2)
In animal models, quercetin supplementation helps reduce pain caused by inflammation, neuropathy, and cancer. In a human randomized controlled trial in women with rheumatoid arthritis, quercetin supplements improved clinical symptoms. The women who received quercetin had lower joint pain in the morning and after activity. (Source 2)
Quercetin Supplements
While there is more room for research on the use of quercetin in various pain conditions, experimenting with quercetin for pain relief is safe. Although, we recommend discussing supplements with your healthcare provider if you take any medication.
It’s important to note that not all quercetin supplements are created equal. Most over-the-counter options are low quality with poor absorbability.
Core Med Science Liposomal Quercetin solves both issues by offering potent, high-quality quercetin derived from the Japanese pagoda tree in a highly absorbable liposomal form. Research suggests liposomal quercetin is absorbed up to 20 times more than alternatives. (Source 3)
If you suffer from chronic pain and are discouraged by your options to move forward and regain your life, consider working with a functional medicine doctor to discover how lifestyle changes and supplements can help. Quercetin is an excellent option as part of your chronic pain relief strategy.
“If you suffer from chronic pain and are discouraged by your options to move forward and regain your life, consider working with a functional medicine doctor to discover how lifestyle changes and supplements can help. Quercetin is an excellent option as part of your chronic pain relief strategy.”
References:
- Nijs, J., Malfliet, A., Roose, E., Lahousse, A., Van Bogaert, W., Johansson, E., Runge, N., Goossens, Z., Labie, C., Bilterys, T., Van Campenhout, J., Polli, A., Wyns, A., Hendrix, J., Xiong, H. Y., Ahmed, I., De Baets, L., & Huysmans, E. (2024). Personalized Multimodal Lifestyle Intervention as the Best-Evidenced Treatment for Chronic Pain: State-of-the-Art Clinical Perspective. Journal of clinical medicine, 13(3), 644. Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10855981/
- Liu, C., Liu, D. Q., Tian, Y. K., Mei, W., Tian, X. B., Xu, A. J., & Zhou, Y. Q. (2022). The Emerging Role of Quercetin in the Treatment of Chronic Pain. Current neuropharmacology, 20(12), 2346–2353. Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9890298/
- Riva, A., Ronchi, M., Petrangolini, G., Bosisio, S., & Allegrini, P. (2019). Improved Oral Absorption of Quercetin from Quercetin Phytosome®, a New Delivery System Based on Food Grade Lecithin. European journal of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, 44(2), 169–177. Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6418071/