Dept. of Defense seeking to boost soldiers’ immune systems with Quercetin
In December 2005, DARPA, the research wing of the US Department of Defense, awarded Appalachian State University 1.1 million dollars to fund a two-year study of the effects of quercetin . DARPA is seeking ways to maintain troop immune systems during times of physical and cognitive stress. Disease, of course, accounts for a significant number of deaths during war, but even non-fatal illnesses weaken troops.
The study finished in February, and concluded that it takes significant stress to bring out quercetin’s infection-fighting properties. This happened when the athletes being tested were under high oxidative stress, when stress hormones were high, and were undergoing muscle damage.
A follow-up study is set to determine whether or not quercetin has any benefits for people who are undergoing everyday mental stress. Read more.