Rutin for Blood Vessel Health

Buckwheat
Buckwheat

The name rutin comes from Ruta graveolens, the scientific name of the herb common rue, which also contains rutin. Before 1950, rutin was called “vitamin P,” although it is not actually a vitamin. It is also known by several specific scientific names such as rutoside, sophorin and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside. Rutin is named after Ruta graveolens, commonly known as rue, which is a plant that contains high levels of rutin. Rutin is chemically described as the glycoside between disaccharide rutinose and quercetin, another flavonoid.

High amounts of rutin occur naturally in foods especially tartary buckwheat.

Rutin is found in common foods like apples, figs, and tea.  High amounts of rutin occur naturally in foods especially buckwheat (Fagopyrum genera. F. tataricum), commonly known as tartary buckwheat. Dry tartary buckwheat seeds contain up to 1.7 percent rutin. By comparison, the seeds of common buckwheat, known scientifically as Fagopyrum esculentum, only contain 0.01 percent rutin by dry weight.

Benefits of Rutin

The support of blood vessel health is the most common reason for taking rutin.

Rutin can strengthen blood vessels, so they use it for varicose veins, internal bleeding, hemorrhoids, and to prevent strokes due to broken veins or arteries (hemorrhagic strokes). Rutin has powerful antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory activity. It also helps your body produce collagen and use vitamin C. You can add rutin to your diet by eating foods that contain it or taking it in supplement form.

Blood Vessels

The support of blood vessel health is the most common reason for taking rutin. Rutin has been used to treat unsightly varicose veins in the legs and treating swollen varicose veins around the anus known as hemorrhoids.

Blood Circulation

Traditionally, rutin has long been used to aid circulation. It’s thought that rutin can help strengthen and increase flexibility in blood vessels, such as your arteries and capillaries. Strengthened blood vessels can improve your overall health. This may help ease related conditions, including bruises, spider veins, and varicose veins. There is also evidence that rutin can aid in treating hemorrhoids (which are caused by swollen veins) and recovering from hemorrhoid removal surgery.

A study published in the The Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that rutin has been shown to inhibit the formation of blood clots in an animal model of thrombosis.

Blood Clots

Research shows that rutin can prevent the formation of blood clots in certain animals. This suggests rutin may reduce the risk of blood clots. Preventing blood clots can help lower your chances of developing life-threatening conditions such as:

  • heart attacks
  • stroke
  • pulmonary embolisms
  • deep vein thrombosis

If you have a history of heart disease or blood clots, or are on blood thinners, you need to discuss using rutin supplements with your doctor.

Cholesterol

There is sufficient evidence that rutin can help lower LDL cholesterol. In one study, people with diabetes who had a history of hypertension were given 500mg of rutin once a day. Researchers found a decrease in the plasma LDL cholesterol levels of participants. The study suggests that this is a result of rutin’s antioxidant properties.

Arthritis Pain

One of rutin’s common uses is to ease arthritis pain. A study found that it aided in suppressing oxidative stress in people with arthritis. This may be due to rutin’s strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There’s also evidence that rutin improves knee function in some who have arthritis.

 

Do you need Rutin?

Most of the signs that you may benefit from rutin involve the circulatory system, especially the veins. Varicose veins in the legs and hemorrhoids are the strongest indication that rutin can help you. Additional conditions that may mean you need rutin include chronic venous insufficiency, in which the veins have difficulty in returning blood to the heart. You may also benefit from rutin if you have spider veins.

Dosage

Consult your doctor on how much rutin you should take on a daily basis. The usual recommendation is 250mg two times a day. Adults using rutin to treat osteoarthritis may be advised to take 250mg three times per day, or every 12 hours. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take rutin supplements. There is not enough information to indicate that it is safe for them. However, eating natural sources of this bioflavonoid isn’t harmful.

 

Sources:
www.healthline.com
www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com
www.raysahelian.com/rutin.html
www.xtend-life.com/information/ingredients/rutin