Vitamin P

Also known as Citrus Bioflavonoids, Biofavinoid, Citrin.

What is Vitamin P?

Vitamin P is any of a group of water-soluble crystalline substances that occur mainly in citrus fruits, blackcurrants, and rosehips. They maintain the resistance of cell and capillary walls to permeation. The term bioflavonoids refers to many different ingredients and include hesperin, hesperidin, eriodictyol, quercetin, quercertrin, and rutin. It can't be produced by the body and must be supplied in the diet. Absorption of bioflavonoids can be slow, but small amounts can be stored in the body.

Where is it found?

Bioflavonoids are found in the white material just beneath the citrus peel, peppers, grapes, pine bark, onions, garlic, blue and red berries, green tea and buckwheat.

What is the normal dosage?

No dosage has been determined, but 500mg a day is sufficient.

What happens if you are deficient?

In a good diet containing fruits and vegetables, you shouldn't have a deficiency of bioflavonoids. Deficiency symptoms would include bruising.

Why do I need Vitamin P?

They can help with iron deficiency since they help with the absorption of iron. They also enchance the action of vitamin C, and prolong the effectiveness of vitamin C. Therefore, they should be taken together. They have also been effectively used to treat sport injuries, and are somewhat pain relieving. They can also be used in relieving pain in the legs and back, and can lessen the symptoms of prolonged bleeding, low serum calcium, and oral herpes (cold sores).

Are there any side effects?

Very high dosages of bioflavonoids may cause diarrhea.