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ANTIOXIDANT OVERVIEW
Grape Seed Extract which is high in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC's or PCO's) is powerful antioxidant which can reduce the damage done by free radicals, strengthen and repair connective tissue, and promote enzyme activity. OPC's can also help moderate allergic and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine production.
MoonDragon's Nutrition Basics: Antioxidants - Grape Seed (Grapeseed) Extract
ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants are important protectors of health because they provide electrons that neutralize "free radicals"--molecules with unpaired electrons which have the power to cause degenerative and life-threatening diseases.
Free radicals are produced from normal oxygen metabolism within the body, and from exposure to certain chemicals, environmental pollutants, sunlight, radiation, burns, cigarette smoke, drugs, alcohol, viruses, bacteria, parasites, dietary fats, and more. The antioxidants known today are vitamins C and E, beta carotene, selenium, bioflavonoids and bioflavanols.
THE OPC BIOFLAVONOID COMPLEX (PCO)
Bioflavonoids are natural plant components that strengthen and protect living tissue. "Proanthocyanidin" is one of the names used to describe a powerful bioflavonoid complex known as Procyanidolic Oligomers (PCO) (also called Oligomeric proanthocyanidins - OPCs). "Pycnogenol" was the name originally given to this complex by Dr. Jacques Masquelier, the first to scientifically discover it and the first to patent an extraction process for it from the bark of maritime pine trees. "Pycnogenol" is now a trademarked name for OPC products extracted from pine bark.
OPC extracts have been scientifically studied and medically used in Europe since the 1950s. Scientifically documented, observed benefits include:
- Enhanced capillary strength and vascular function, which helps the heart and decreases: PMS problems, bruising, edema from injury or trauma, varicose veins, leg swelling and retinopathy.
- Enhanced immune resistance.
- Increased peripheral circulation, improving vision.
- Reduced adverse allergic and inflammatory responses.
- Reduction in skin aging and loss of elasticity.
The OPC bioflavonoid complex was recently discovered to be 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E as an antioxidant. The advantages of OPC include:
- It is bioavailable and immediately absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream.
- It is distributed to virtually every organ and tissue, and remains in the body for up to 72 hours.
- Not only does it neutralize free radicals themselves, but it also conserves and regenerates vitamins C and E. Vitamin E is a powerful free radical scavenger, but it is quickly used up. OPC and vitamin C work synergistically to regenerate vitamin E.
- OPC is one of the few antioxidants that crosses the blood/brain barrier to protect neural tissue.
- OPC extracts have been proven to be completely safe.
SOURCES OF OPCs
The OPC complex is found in many types of foods, but usually only in extremely small amounts. Some of the best sources of OPCs are seasonal fruits such as grapes, blueberries, cherries and plums. The OPCs is found mainly in the peels, skins, or seeds. Food processing and storage is detrimental to OPC availability.
The OPC bioflavonoid complex can also be found in the barks of the lemon tree and the Landis pine tree, as well as the leaves of the hazelnut tree. The highest known concentration (95%) of the OPC complex is found in grape seeds, and the second-highest (80-85%) in pine bark.
OPCs HEALTH BENEFITS
Anti-Inflammatory
One of the first benefits of OPC observed by doctors as early as 1950 was its anti-inflammatory action. This is produced in part by the antioxidant effect, and by inhibiting the release and synthesis of certain compounds that promote inflammation, such as histamine, serine protease, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. OPCs selectively binds to the connective tissue of joints, preventing swelling, helping heal damaged tissue, and lessening pain.
Anti-Histamine
The anti-histamine action of OPC is mediated by an inhibiting effect on the enzyme histidine decarboxylase which is responsible for the production of histamine. This is enhanced by OPC's ability to block hyaluronidase, the enzyme that facilitates the release of histamine into body tissues.
Anti-Allergic
This action is related to the antihistamine effect, as well as OPC's ability to strengthen cell membranes of basophils and mast cells, which contain the allergic chemicals, thus preventing over-reaction or hypersensitivity to pollens and food allergens. Many allergy sufferers have reported significant relief using grape seed extract.
Anti-Ulcer
Ulcers induced or aggravated by stress are known to be related to excessive secretion of histamine in the stomach lining. OPCs help heal ulcers by reducing histamine secretion and by binding to and protecting connective tissue in mucous membranes.
Cardiovascular Disease
Experimental studies have recently discovered that oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a key factor leading to hardening of the arteries and heart disease. The antioxidant effect of Vitamin E has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of this oxidation - and OPC has been shown to be 50 times more potent than vitamin E. OPC has also been shown to prevent the stickiness of blood platelets that can lead to blood clots and strokes. Patients taking grape seed extract OPC have reported reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Recent studies have shown that drinking wine has a protective effect against heart disease (considered the solution to the mystery of how the French population can indulge in a high-fat diet and have one of the world's lowest incidences of heart disease). And in February of 1995, a study published in "Circulation," the journal of the American Heart Association, showed that six glasses of grape juice were as effective as two glasses of wine in preventing heart disease. This study offers convincing evidence that OPC from grapes, rather than the alcohol, provide wine's protective benefits to the circulatory system.
Cancer Prevention
Although not a cure for cancer, experimental evidence has been available for a long time showing that antioxidants greatly reduce the incidence of all types of cancer. One study showed that the risk of developing cancer is 11.4 times greater for those with low levels of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium. OPC is a more potent antioxidant, and also protects cellular DNA from oxidative damage and cell mutations which can lead to cancer. (See "Dosage.")
Teeth and Gums
Dentists and their patients have reported that OPC provides healing and preventive benefits to the teeth and gums, evidently through its anti-inflammatory effects, free radical deactivation, and connective tissue protection.
Eyes
Clinical studies have shown that antioxidants can halt cataract progression. OPC has a strong affinity for the portion of the retina that is responsible for visual acuity. It prevents free radical damage and reinforces the collagen structures of the retina. In clinical trials of patients with various types of retinal disease, including macular degeneration, all patients given OPC showed significant improvement following therapy. Health professionals monitoring the effects of OPC have reported that it also has helped in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma.
Skin Care
OPC products help protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation damage that leads to wrinkles and skin cancer. Because it stabilizes collagen and elastin, OPC can help improve the elasticity and youthfulness of the skin. OPC strengthens the connective tissue of the skin and fat chambers. People taking grape seed extract OPC have noticed that it helps tonify their skin and reduce cellulite, stretch marks, and old scars. There is speculation that cellulite may be a sign of bioflavonoid deficiency.
Nervous System
Some health care providers have reported that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have improved while taking OPC. MS is a syndrome of progressive destruction and hardening of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves. Current research indicates that MS may be caused by an allergic or autoimmune reaction. Many studies have demonstrated that patients with MS have reduced activity levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.
The ability of OPC to reduce the progressive symptoms of MS may be due to its potent antioxidant and anti-allergic qualities. Plus, OPC has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it may protect the brain's nervous tissue from oxidation. This effect may explain why patients taking OPC often report improved mental clarity.
Lungs
Asthma and emphysema have also been found to benefit from the use of OPCs. Asthma is largely caused by an allergic reaction within the bronchial tubes that leads to bronchial constriction and excessive mucous excretion. Due to its ability to inhibit histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, OPC has been found effective in the treatment of asthma.
Grape seed extract OPC has also been found to reduce the coughing, wheezing, weakness, mucous and recurring respiratory infections usually associated with emphysema. Apparently, OPC reduces the inflammation and damage to the air sacs of emphysema patients.
HELPFUL RELATED LINKS
Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins From Grape Seeds & Pine Bark
HerbalAdvisor.com: Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins
RemedyFind: Patient Ratings of OPCs For Arthritis: Rheumatoid
OPCs As An Alternative Treatment for ADHD
OPC Inhibits Damage To Blood Vessels & Inhibits Abnormal Clotting of Blood
Source of Masquelier's Original OPCs
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