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The nutrients in the distinctive formula, boswellia, curcumin, quercetin and bromelain, are combined to offer protection against oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.  BCQ® has potent immune-boosting, antioxidant, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory actions that remove damaged cells by inducing time-appropriate apoptosis or cell death. Bromelain magnifies the benefits of quercetin in boosting immune health and enhancing youthfulness of tissues.

BCQ® has been significantly helpful for our patients with undergoing surgery, healing chronic wounds and athletic injuries. People report faster tissue repair, especially of stubborn sores or post-operative delayed healing. They notice less pain and reduced need for analgesic drugs, and lower infection rates.  Other patients have reported improvements in their joint and muscle pain and inflammation, and they like the ongoing antioxidant support.

About this product

Boswellia is an aromatic resin extracted from the Boswellia species of trees native to India, Africa and Arabia. Indian frankincense, the resin extracted from Boswellia serrata, Indian frankincense, is most commonly used in traditional Indian Ayurveda medicine. Boswellia resin is also used for fragrances in religious ceremonies, in the manufacture of soaps and cosmetics, and in foods and beverages.  Studies show that Boswellia is an effective anti-inflammatory and can be an effective painkiller; the essential oils and compounds in boswelia may have antidiabetic, antimicrobial and anticancer properties as well.  Boswellia may be useful in treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease.  Some studies suggest that it may also be useful in treating leukemia and other cancers.

Studies show that boswellic acid reduces inflammation and pain by inhibiting 5-liipoxygenase, preventing the formation of inflammatory causing Leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are molecules which cause bronchial muscles to contract and may trigger asthma symptoms. Boswellia can help the overreaction to environmental allergens that occur in asthma. Participants in a 1998 study experienced significantly decreased asthma symptoms while taking Boswellia

For people suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory issues, the regular use of Boswellia can improve the level of pain and the quality of life. A 2003 study found that all 30 subjects with osteoarthritis pain who received Boswellia reported a decrease in knee pain and another study using an increased dosage of Boswellia, found reduced levels pain and an increase of knee flexion and on how far they could walk. Numerous studies have shown that the regular use of Boswellia inhibits certain inflammatory enzymes including cytokines which cause joint pain.  Along with inhibiting the release of inflammatory enzymes and compounds in the body, it also impacts the triggering of pain receptors in those joints and muscles.

Due to the herb’s anti-inflammatory properties, boswellia may be effective in treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. A reduction of inflammation in the gut can alleviate abdominal pain, bloating, and cramping associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Boswellia may also help regulate gastrointestinal motility, reducing diarrhea and constipation. Studies suggest that Boswellia may be as effective in treating Crohn’s disease as prescription drugs and compared to these pharmaceuticals, Boswellia has fewer side effects.

When boswellia is consumed regularly, it can optimize the immune system to effectively respond to foreign substances and infectious pathogens thus making it more resistant to autoimmune diseases. Daily use can help reduce your risk of diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. One recent discovery is the effect boswellia can have on lymphocytes and T-cells.  These crucial immune system cells can influence the severity and response time of the immune system.

Boswellia has been used to heal both internal and external wounds. Although the nutrient content of this herb is somewhat limited, it does hold some antioxidant abilities for the skin. Topical applications stimulate circulation to the wound, protecting the wound from infection, and helping accelerate recovery time for injuries or illness.

Bromelain is a plant-based complex of protein-digesting enzymes, also known as proteases, originally found in pineapple, that break down proteins into their constituent amino acids. A clinically effective dose of bromelain enhances quercetin absorption by helping to move quercetin from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. One challenge with getting an adequate amount of quercetin is its low bioavailability; quercetin uptake take-up in human tissue is quite low. A clinically effective dose of bromelain significantly improves quercetin assimilation; bromelain magnifies the efficacy of quercetin.

While our body naturally produces enzymes to help break down foods, factors such as age, medication and lifestyle can decrease the natural levels of digestive enzymes.  They can cause digestive imbalances such as bloating, gas, diarrhea and other gastro-intestinal disturbances.  Bromelain specifically helps with digesting proteins and by improving digestion, it ensures better nutrient absorption. It’s effective at healing tissues within the GI tract; degrading certain intestinal pathogens that cause diarrhea, and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in greater protection for the gut lining and a decrease in colonic inflammation.

Bromelain is a highly effective anti-inflammatory and pain reliever in its own right. It can help to relieve joint and connective tissue pain, and reduce C-reactive protein, the inflammation marker. Bromelain’s potency as an anti-inflammatory agent equals the common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but without their side effects such as ulcers or kidney damage. It effectively relieves pain, which is known to speed surgical healing, and it prevents excessive inflammation from causing tissue damage.  In Europe, bromelain is approved for oral and topical use for surgical wounds, inflammation due to trauma and surgery, and debridement of deep burns.

Bromelain also directly supports surgical recovery by facilitating protein assimilation. Protein is essential for tissue repair, muscle formation, and for every metabolic enzyme in the body. Bromelain frees up amino acids, the protein building blocks, so that they are better absorbed. Additionally, research confirms that bromelain induces the breakdown of stored fat, which provides steady energy for tissue repair.

Quercetin is a flavanol, a member of the plant-derived family known as antioxidant flavonoids. These give plants their color and belong to a class of micronutrients called polyphenols.  Quercetin is abundant in dark, vibrant-colored vegetables, fruits, nuts, honey, and medicinal herbs. Although there are several dietary sources of quercetin, it is hard to consume a sufficient quantity in food to reach a therapeutic level.

In vitro research and human epidemiologic studies confirm a long list of desirable health benefits from quercetin. Quercetin’s antioxidant properties protect against cellular damage by enabling it to scavenge free radicals, reducing oxidative stress.  It’s ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and enzymes makes it a therapeutic agent for various inflammatory conditions.  And quercetin is also beneficial for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases as it can help to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels and improve endothelial function.

Quercetin is an antioxidant powerhouse, its more powerful than vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta carotene.  Quercetin reduces neurodegeneration from oxidative stress, as found in a 2008 study. The study results showed that nerve cell viability was clearly improved with quercetin. Impressively, quercetin showed a greater protective effect for the brain and peripheral nerves than vitamin C. Quercetin was also observed to significantly shield nerve cells and reduce neurotoxicity, protecting neuronal cell membranes against injury from oxidative stress.  Oxidative stress is a contributor to the development of degenerative brain disorders such as dementia, Parkinsons, and Alzheimer’s disease and animal studies have shown quercetin to offer a protective effect against cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease. These powerful antioxidants may also have cancer-fighting and tumor-shrinking properties. Studies found quercetin helped suppress cell growth and induced cell death in prostate cancer cells as well as other types of cancer cells such as blood, colon, lung, and ovarian cancer cells.

Quercetin shows numerous promising benefits for effective wound repair. The trauma of surgery generates more free radicals in the body; rogue free radicals have unpaired electrons, which roam the body seeking other atoms or molecules to bond to. If they attach to tissues, free radicals cause injury to cells, lipids, proteins, and DNA, called oxidative stress.  Normally, these damaged cells are removed by the immune system, but with surgery trauma, illness, and age, this function declines, and more and more of these cells build up. The resulting oxidative stress blocks healing and scar formation and increases post-operative infection risk. Quercetin clears cells damaged cells and removes senescent or aging cells which could otherwise delay the healing process. It scavenges free radicals; this antioxidant action reduces tissue and DNA damage allowing for faster healing.  By mitigating oxidative stress on red blood cells, quercetin helps to increase oxygen delivery to healing tissues. Better oxygen supply leads to faster healing, stronger scar formation, and better resistance to wound infection.

Inflammation is a necessary step in wound healing, but if excessive, it can increase pain and block full repair and recovery. Too much inflammation increases infection risk, reduces immune activity, and weakens the connective tissue that knits injured skin, organs, and muscles back together. Quercetin has the potent ability to calm inflammation and balance the body’s inflammatory pathways. This helps to down-regulate enzymes and hormones responsible for excessive inflammatory responses. Studies show that Quercetin can prevent both chronic and acute inflammation.  In an 8-week study with women who have rheumatoid arthritis, markers of inflammation were reduced, and the participants’ early morning pain and stiffness were significantly reduced.

For cardiovascular health, clinical trials indicate that quercetin brings major cardiovascular benefits, by mitigating blood vessel dysfunction mitigating endothelial dysfunction, and reducing heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. In a 2016 study by the American Heart and Strok Association found that taking quercetin supplements may help stabilize blood pressure and could be an effective way to reduce blood pressure.  Additionally, Quercetin protects ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol from becoming oxidized and sticky, thus reducing the risk that LDL could be deposited in arteries. Researchers analyzed the diets of 115 Japanese women and noted that ‘a high consumption of both flavonoids and isoflavones by Japanese women may contribute to their low incidence of coronary heart disease compared with women in other countries.

Curcumin is the bright yellow active constituent in turmeric root. It is a potent anti-inflammatory that can reduce pain and swelling and thus increase joint mobility. It is also a liver protector, a risk reducer of gallstones, a digestive remedy that helps with gas, and an antioxidant for the eye and other tissues. Turmeric is a classic example of a supplement whose benefits are cumulative and ongoing: with steady use, joint and connective discomfort, swelling, range of motion and digestive and liver functions can continue to improve for months or years. This herb is a true example of a natural remedy that may gradually reverse and heal the underlying disorder.

Contents

3 capsules provide:

Boswellia Extract (Indian frankincense, Boswellia serrata, gum resin, standardized to 20% beta-boswellic acids) 600 mg
Bromelain (2400 GDU/g) 300 mg
Curcumin (Turmeric Extract, Curcuma longa, rhizome, standardized to 85% curcuminoids) 600 mg
Quercetin Dihydratre 95% 300 mg

Other Ingredients: Hypromellose, magnesium silicate, ascorbyl palmitate, cellulose, silica, leucine

This product does not contain artificial flavoring, coloring, sweeteners or unnecessary excipients, ingredients of animal origin, gluten, dairy, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame, peanut, tree nuts, sugar or GMOs.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider.  Use caution if you are taking drugs such as antibiotics, warfarin, cyclosporine, or drugs that are changed by the liver. The ingredients in BCQ® may change how these drugs work and raise the risk of side effects so consult with your healthcare provider before taking BCQ®.

The ingredients in BCQ® might slow blood clotting so taking it along with anticoagulant or anti-platelet drugs could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding and might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Consult with your healthcare practitioner. It’s recommended to stop using BCQ® at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Ingredients in BCQ® may interact with ibuprofen, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).  Avoid taking BCQ® concurrently with other medications unless specifically prescribed by your physician.

BCQ® Not recommended for people with liver or kidney disorder as it may worsen conditions.

If you’re allergic to pineapple, latex, ragweed, echinacea, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, wheat, celery, carrot, fennel, cypress or other pollens, you might be allergic to the bromelain in BCQ®.  Be sure to monitor allergy symptoms.

Do not use BCQ® during pregnancy or lactation unless under the guidance of your physician as some of the ingredients, like Boswellia which may stimulate blood flow to the uterus, are not safe to use during this time.