Vitamin P - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Alternative name :: Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids also called Vitamin P are not strictly speaking a vitamin, but for easy classification, we are listing it as a vitamin. The term bioflavonoids refers to many different ingredients and include hesperin, hesperidin, eriodictyol, quercetin, quercetin, rutin etc. This nutrient can not be manufactured by the body and must be supplied in the diet. Researchers have reported over eight hundred different bioflavonoids. Most of these are the yellow pigments found in citrus fruit as well as other fruits and vegetables, these are referred to as flavonoids.

Benefits of Vitamin P

Bioflavonoids together with vitamin C , maintain the health of the thin walls of the small blood vessels known as capillaries, preventing bruising and bleeding, including excessive menstrual loss. Vitamin P are used extensively in the treatment of athletic injuries because they relieve pain, bumps, and bruises.

Because of its ability to relax the muscles in the cardiovascular system, there is a possibility that Vitamin P may play a role in lowering blood pressure. Some other areas being researched are Vitamin P's ability to interfere with growing tumors, and how it impacts other types of bleeding such as nosebleeds, hemorrhoids and bleeding in the retina (a problem for people with hypertension or diabetes).

Bioflavonoids also in recent studies have been shown to help the blood clot, this alone can be helpful in treating phlebitis and other clotting disorders. Many bioflavonoids prevent the cellular damage caused by free radicals; these are unstable molecules that are formed when the body burns oxygen. Some bioflavonoids are used as food preservatives to prevent fats from oxidation. Some reports show bioflavonoids are useful in enhancing the antioxidant action of certain nutrients.

Recommended Dosage of Vitamin P

No dosage has been determined but 500 mg per day is indicated for supplementation.

Rich sources of Vitamin P

The white skin of the citrus fruit (the pith of the citrus), apricots, blackberries, buckwheat and bilberry, burdock root, black currants, cherries, grapefruit, grapes, green tea, juniper berries, lemon, oranges, parsley, peppers, plums, prunes, and rose hips.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin P

Just as there are no recommended daily requirements, there aren't any risks associated with a Vitamin P deficiency. It's not a toxic substance so there aren't any adverse side effects from consuming too much, either.