Water-soluble vitamin P was discovered relatively recently, in 1936, by the American biochemist A. Szent-Gyorgyi. The scientist noticed that ascorbic acid is not fully able to cure subcutaneous hemorrhages in guinea pigs with scurvy. However, when crude plant extracts were added to the treatment, the animals were cured.
Then it occurred to the scientist that there is at least one more substance that fights the disease and helps the body recover faster. As a result of research, vitamin P was discovered, the formula of which differs significantly from many others (from the English permeability - permeability). The vitamin got its name due to its ability to improve capillary permeability.
Only after some time, having studied the chemical nature of the new substance, scientists learned that it contains a whole group of biologically active elements - flavonoids. To date, there are about 150 such elements, including: rutin, catechin, anthocyanin, esculin, hesperidin andmany more.
Bioflavonoids are substances of plant origin that are of great benefit and value to the human body.
Vitamin P has a lot in common with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Both vitamins are not only similar in their biological properties, but are also contained in the same products. Vitamins C and P multiply each other's action, the so-called synergy is formed.
Useful properties of the substance
Due to its composition, vitamin P has a number of properties:
- Vessels and capillaries are strengthened, their structure is normalized. The walls of blood vessels become more elastic, expanding and contracting when necessary.
- The active substances of the vitamin contribute to the improvement of the thyroid gland.
- Increases resistance to infections, the body is more actively fighting viruses and various inflammatory processes. Bioflavonoids have antibacterial properties.
- Contained in green tea, substances called catechins help restore damaged cell structure.
- Active substances are involved in the formation of glucocorticoids, which, in turn, increase the body's resistance to many diseases.
- Due to the strengthening of the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, blood pressure decreases and normalizes.
- The blood circulation of the body improves, which, in turn, contributes to a more active supply of oxygen to the brain, increases human efficiency,reduced fatigue.
- Vitamin components prevent hemorrhages, as well as atherosclerosis.
- Rutin fights bleeding gums and nosebleeds.
- Stimulates and normalizes the activity of the adrenal cortex.
- The substances that make up the vitamin intercept and neutralize free radicals.
- It has an analgesic and decongestant effect.
- Restrains the growth of tumor cells, both benign and malignant. At the same time, vitamin P is not a panacea for oncological diseases and can only be used in combination, without replacing chemotherapy, radiation and other traditional methods of treating such diseases.
- Intraocular pressure decreases.
- Harmful metals and toxins that enter the body from food and the environment are removed.
- Rutin has a beneficial effect on the entire cardiovascular system, protecting and relieving blood vessels of cholesterol.
- Bioflavonoids keep adrenaline in the blood, help to stay in good physical shape.
- Lymphovenous functions are stimulated, the condition of veins and blood vessels improves. Vitamin is often prescribed for varicose veins.
With regular intake of bioflavonoids, the risk of hypertension, myocardial infarction, and coronary heart disease is significantly reduced.
In the skin cells, the components of vitamin P inhibit its aging, restore the cellular structure.
Vitamin Combination
Combined with vitamins A and C vitamin Pprevents the development of cataracts.
Vitamins C and P, when taken simultaneously, prevent the destruction of hyaluronic acid in the human body, due to which skin cells are strengthened and soldered together, making its structure smoother and younger. In addition, it is hyaluronic acid that maintains the strength of capillaries, reduces the permeability of their walls and the likelihood of bruising and bruising.
Treatment
In addition, vitamin P is used in treatment:
- gastric and duodenal ulcer;
- hypertension;
- varicose veins and thrombosis;
- skin diseases;
- hemorrhagic diathesis;
- anemia;
- hemorrhoids;
- rheumatism;
- allergic reactions;
- poisoning;
- bronchial asthma, etc.
What is Vitamin P
Vitamin P is contained in foods that are known and available to every person, for example, in berries and fruits:
- rosehip;
- raspberries;
- lingonberries;
- blackberry;
- bananas;
- blackcurrant;
- blueberries;
- cherry;
- cranberries;
- apricots;
- citrus;
- walnuts;
- grapes;
- chokeberry.
And also in vegetables and herbs:
- red pepper;
- buckwheat greens;
- cabbage;
- tomatoes;
- green salad;
- dill;
- luke;
- parsley;
- cilantro
- green tea leaves.
It is worth noting that vegetables and fruits almost completely lose vitamin P when frozen. Therefore, they should be consumed only fresh.
In addition to the above, rutin is found in live beer, vegetable oil, coffee, tea, egg yolk and wine.
Daily dose of vitamin P
Regarding how much the human body exactly needs this vitamin, the opinions of doctors vary greatly. The approximate recommended daily dose of rutin is 25-70 mg. However, it should be at least half the dose of vitamin C.
According to experts, vitamin P rarely causes hypervitaminosis, as it is quickly excreted from the body by the kidneys. Therefore, excess dosage does not lead to negative consequences. Moreover, an increased dose of the vitamin is recommended for elevated intraocular pressure.
Some experts recommend taking 100 mg of bioflavonoids for every 500 mg of ascorbic acid.
Vitamin P deficiency
With a lack of routine in the human body, there are:
- skin rashes;
- muscle pain in the legs when walking, in the shoulders, when working with hands;
- excessive fatigue even in the absence of physical activity;
- sluggishness;
- general breakdown.
In addition, vitamin deficiency causes fragility of the walls of blood vessels, leads to their bleeding and the formation of small subcutaneous hemorrhages, as well asthe occurrence of diseases of the bronchopulmonary system and heart.
Lack of flavonoids in the body can cause brain bleeding and swelling, as in traumatic brain injuries.
During pregnancy, a lack of vitamin P can cause nosebleeds due to fragility of blood vessels. In addition, there is a threat of miscarriage at any time. Therefore, all pregnant women or women planning a child are prescribed vitamin complexes, including rutin, by doctors.
Drugs
In addition to products, there are preparations containing vitamin P. These include: "Undevit", "Dekamevit", "Complivit". Rutin is part of well-known medical preparations - these are "Ascorutin", "Quercetin".
Vitamin P Preservation
Bioflavonoids are quite capricious substances. Vitamin P, in which products it would not be contained, is destroyed under the influence of low temperatures. However, this is not the only factor. Among other things, bioflavonoids are also destroyed under the influence of light, tobacco smoke, during heat treatment, and also dissolve in water. Therefore, in order for the body to receive the vitamin in sufficient quantities, it is necessary to eat raw, unprocessed foods containing flavonoids. It is also recommended to give up bad habits.
Doctors advise to make a rule: every day, at least once a day, eat vegetables and greens containing vitamin P at the same time as meat and fish dishes. And then a month laterthere will be no trace of vitamin deficiency. If you do not like vegetables or greens, you can resort to the use of vitamin complexes that include vitamin P. However, they must be taken regularly, with a single dose there will be no effect on the body.
Curious facts
When ingested, vitamin P enhances the action of ascorbic acid by 20 times, while protecting it from oxidation. It also contributes to the accumulation of vitamin C by the body, which helps to avoid beriberi even in winter.
Vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs that contain bioflavonoids have a bright color that attracts beneficial insects. At the same time, the plants themselves are protected from pests, parasites, fungi and bacteria.
After reading all the above facts, no one else will surely doubt the necessity and importance of vitamin P for the body of any living creature. What vitamin still has such a wide list of useful properties, the lack of which other vitamin can cause such harm?
