Rutin is a plant pigment or bioflavonoid found in certain vegetables and fruits like tea, figs, apples, buckwheat, citrus fruits, etc. It is a potent antioxidant known for its excellent curative and medicinal benefits. Knowing the benefits and side effects of rutin can help you plan your rutin intake.
The main sources of rutin for medical use are eucalyptus and macrorhyncha. One can make their diet rich in rutin by eating more of foods which contain high amounts of this flavonoid or by taking rutin in supplement form. Read on to know the best sources, benefits and side effects of rutin.
Benefits of Rutin
The benefits of rutin are many, which has given it a special place in health and wellness. Rutin proves beneficial in treating and preventing the following health problems.
Osteoarthritis – Relief in joint pain is one of the major benefits of rutin. Taking rutin orally together with the proteins bromelain and trypsin, is effective in treating osteoarthritis. Its excellent anti-inflammatory property helps to suppress oxidative stress, relieve pain and improve knee function in osteoarthritis patients.
Post-surgical Lymphedema- Post surgical lymphedema is the swelling that occurs in the arm after breast surgery. Studies show that taking certain medicines, containing rutin, papain, pancreatin, chymotrypsin and trypsin every day for 7 weeks helps to reduce swelling in the arm which results from a breast removal surgery. This too is one of the important benefits of rutin.
Blood Vessel Disease – Rutin strengthens the blood vessels and enhances their flexibility. This helps to improve blood circulation and ease conditions like varicose veins, bruises, hemorrhoid, internal bleeding and spider veins.
Cancer Treatment Side Effects- Relief from cancer treatment side effects is one of the other important benefits of rutin. It is effective in preventing a mucositis, a side effect of cancer. It also relieves mouth ulcers associated with cancer treatments.
Blood Clotting – Rutin can also reduce the risk of formation of blood clots. This helps to lower the risk of life-threatening conditions like stroke, deep vein thrombosis, heart attacks and pulmonary embolisms. For cardiac patients who are already taking blood thinners, rutin supplements should only be taken after consulting a doctor.
High Cholesterol – Another crucial benefits of rutin includes reducing high cholesterol. The antioxidant property of rutin is known to lower LDL cholesterol. It eases hypertension and helps to balance blood sugar levels in the body.
Skin Aging – A popular benefit of rutin is preventing skin aging. Rutin helps to produce vitamin C and promotes the formation of collagen in the body to make the skin look younger, flawless and ageless.
Rutin – Recommended Intake and Best Sources
Mixing rutin supplements with certain medications can cause unwanted interactions or side effects. To avoid this, it is best to consult a doctor and take medical advice before starting with rutin supplement. The doctor can recommend the right amount of rutin that an individual can take daily. The normal recommended amount is 250 mg twice a day. Adults taking rutin to treat osteoarthritis may be advised to consume 250 mg thrice a day, or at a gap of 12 hours.
Foods which contain high amounts of rutin are apples, figs, asparagus, buckwheat, etc. Green tea, black tea and elderflower tea also contain good amount of rutin. One can enrich their diet with rutin by consuming more of these foods. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before making any major changes to your diet with rutin and ensure that your eating plan is healthy and safe.
Side Effects of Rutin
Rutin-rich fruits and vegetables are generally considered safe for consumption. Rutin supplements may be safe when taken orally in appropriate medicinal amounts for a small period of time. However, there are certain side effects of rutin, especially when taken in the form of supplements. These often result from ingesting higher amount and more concentrated doses of rutin. Some of the common side effects of rutin supplements include
- High white blood cell count
- Altered heartbeat
- Nervousness
- Flushed skin
- Stomach upset
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Rashes
- Muscle stiffness
- Fluid accumulation in the knees
Warnings
Since it is still not proven whether rutin supplements are safe for pregnant and nursing women, it is best to avoid taking these during pregnancy and breast feeding phase. Individuals experiencing symptoms of any allergic reaction must stop taking rutin supplement and seek medical attention right away. However, eating natural sources of rutin is not harmful and can be kept as part of natural diet.
Some side effects of rutin may subside as the body adjusts to the supplement, but its best to be aware of those and seek medical advice if you experience any such side effects.
