Blue-Green Algae & Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic and painful condition affecting the bladder. It mainly occurs in women, but is also found in men; it is to be differentiated from bacterial cystitis since it is not caused by an organism, but rather inflammation with no obvious cause. Because its cause is undetermined, treatment and cure are difficult. However, some reports suggest that quercetin supplements derived from blue-green algae may help the condition.

Interstitial Cystitis

• Symptoms of interstitial cystitis are varied, but common symptoms include the bladder's inability to hold much urine, resulting in extreme frequency of micturition, perhaps needing the bathroom as many as 50 or 60 times in a day. The pain experienced by sufferers has led to the condition being called Painful Bladder Syndrome. The disease is commonly misdiagnosed since its symptoms resemble many other pelvic complaints and the longevity of its undiagnosed symptoms can lead to depression in sufferers. There is no cure as such, and treatment can only ease symptoms.

Quercetin

• Some placebo-controlled studies conducted by Floyd Katske, M.D., Daniel A. Shoskes, M.D., Mark Sender, M.D., Ray Poliak, M.D., Kim Gagliano, L.V.N. and Jacob Rajfer, M.D. have shown that Quercetin supplementation may be effective in treating the symptoms of interstitial cystitis and the similar condition prostatitis. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in blue-green algae, as well as other plant sources. Flavonoids are plant pigments which not only produce insect-attracting color vital for pollination, but also protect the plant from bacterial and fungal attack, as well as insects. Quercetin has been shown to have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and is marketed for a number of health problems, including allergies and inflammation.

Blue-Green Algae

• Quercetin supplements are usually extracted from a blue-green algal source. Blue-green algae species (also known as cyanobacteria) are extremely numerous, and many thousands of varieties of cyanobacteria exist. These include chlorella and spirulina, both of which are popularly sold as health supplements. Chlorella and spirulina are touted as "superfoods" because of their high levels of vitamins, minerals and other important trace elements. However, algae in its natural form does not contain the level of quercetin necessary to produce health effects in humans.

Treatment

• According to a treatment patent issued in 2008 for research by scientist Floyd Katske, interstitial cystitis may be treated with a combination of active substances based primarily on quercetin, along with the enzymes papain and bromelain (extracted from papaya and pineapple, respectively). Katske states that quercetin’s action on interstitial cystitis is anti-inflammatory and appears to reduce pain and swelling in the bladder. The report emphasises that quercetin alone is not well absorbed and is found to be ineffective without the addition of digestive enzymes, which optimize gut absorption.

Supplements

• Those suffering from interstitial cystitis may well derive benefit from quercetin supplements, especially when taken in combination with papain and bromelain. However, it is claimed that quercetin does not show health benefits when taken in the small quantities present naturally in foods, including sea vegetables, and will only help when taken in supplement form. Since quercetin is not very well absorbed, there is little reason to consume raw seaweed or blue-green algae supplements in the pursuit of quercetin.