A recent human study led by the University of Pavia, Italy, involving 120 high exposure healthcare workers, has indicated supplementation with quercetin, formulated in this case with Indena’s Phytosome delivery system, can help maintain the health conditions people working in a COVID-19 infectious environment. 

The company emphasises the value of following the guidelines provided by health authorities, including social distancing, mask use, and consulting the doctor if any symptoms occur. 

However, supplementation with specific botanical ingredients, like quercetin Phytosome, can play a defensive role, owing to its ability to modulate the body’s physiological response to a possible infection. The ingredient has also been shown to modulate immune and inflammatory responses in individuals experiencing respiratory discomfort. 

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of 3 months’ supplementation with Quercetin Phytosome at 250 mg twice a day in modulating the body’s physiological to symptomatic COVID-19. In total, 120 subjects were enrolled, with 60 in the supplementation group and 60 in the placebo group. Subjects underwent rapid COVID-19 diagnostic tests every 3 weeks. During the study, five subjects contracted COVID, one in the treatment group and four in the control. Recovery was recorded at 7 and 15 days in the supplementation and placebo groups, respectively. 

”We are very happy to work with such prestigious University with the aim to further investigate quercetin Phytosome (Quercefit) potential in supporting a healthy condition during this COVID-19 period, thus contributing to explore how nature may help fighting the pandemic,” said Pietro Allegrini, R&D Director of Indena. “Quercefit is one of Indena’s signature ingredient and an example of company’s continuous commitment in developing high quality, effective and innovative products, to face the most important and current challenges for human wellbeing.” 

“Quercetin, for its crucial properties, fulfills the need for a multi-factor action that is useful for the potential counterbalance of a possible COVID-19 infection,” said Mariangela Rondanelli, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia. 

The study also suggested the ingredient may have long-term protective potential . Rondanelli said: “Analysis showed that, at 5 months, those who had taken the supplement had a protection factor of 14% more to stay healthy, than that of those who had taken a placebo”. The study carried out by the University of Pavia adds to earlier research, which showed that quercetin Phytosome supplementation helps people maintaining their health condition in a SARS-CoV-2 infectious environment, without substituting the standard precautionary measures and treatments.