Lipopolysaccharides Are Toxic
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are fat molecules found on the outer cell membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Examples of gram-negative bacteria include E.Coli, Salmonella, Moraxella, Legionella, Pneumoniae, and Helicobacter Pylori, to name a few. LPS act as endotoxins and can trigger both strong and severe immune reactions. Endotoxins are potentially toxic substances that naturally occur in the cell wall of pathogenic bacterial species. These endotoxins are released when the bacteria die and their cell walls break down. LPS are associated not only with excessive coagulation, stroke, fever, or septic shock but are also likely involved in:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases and IBS
- Leaky gut
- Digestive disorders
- Reduction of important microvilli
Quercetin Protects Against LPS
A recent animal study, whose ethics can be questioned, shows that quercetin supplementation offers protection against LPS. Rabbits injected with LPS from bacteria experienced increased inflammation and damage to the liver and kidneys. The group of rabbits that received quercetin supplementation showed significant reductions in inflammation and LPS-induced blood coagulation compared to the control group.
