OPC Q&A

What are OPC? Oligomeric proanthocyanidins ... OPC ... a product commonly derived from one or more of a combination of grape seed extract, red wine extract and/or pine bark extract. OPCs are very powerful bioflavonoids used as a natural food supplement. Often referred to as Pycnogenols® ... the name given to these supplements by Jacques Masquelier, a University of Bordeaux, France professor and scientist... and trademarked by Horphag Overseas Limited of Geneva, Switzerland. OPC has been shown to have powerful "free-radical" scavenging activity. They are non-toxic, bioavailable, water soluble bioflavanoids. What are bioflavanoids? Complex organic plant compounds found mostly in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks. They are powerful antioxidants, "free-radical scavengers" and function as helpers to influence the body immune response to inflammation, allergy and infection. There are more than 20,000 different types of bioflavanoids, of which OPC's are considered the most potent antioxidants. What does bioflavanoids mean? Ready to be absorbed into the body. What are antioxidants? Compounds that protect our cells and tissues from damaging interactions with oxygen free-radicals. Well known antioxidant nutrients include A, C, E, zinc, selenium and betacarotene. These nutrients bolster the action of our natural defense enzymes. How powerful are "OPC" antioxidants? They are 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E. They are non-toxic and cross the blood-brain barrier Are Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) safe? Absolutely! OPC's have been used for over 20 years throughout Europe. Extensive studies and laboratory testing reveal no evidence for human toxicity, allergic reactions, birth defects, or carcinogenicity. What are some sources of OPC? Grape seed extract is a superior source of OPC, containing 92% active ingredients and pine bark contains 84% of the active OPC ingredient. Can I take Vitamins with an OPC supplement? Yes! OPC works synergistically with vitamins. OPC potentates vitamin C and regenerates vitamin E (spent in the fight against free-radicals). How many common ailments have OPC's helped? People have experienced recoveries, reversals, remission and relief from at least 60 different common ailments after taking OPC's. Are OPC supplements a cure for anything? No! OPC's do not cure anything... What they do is help the body to neutralize the invasion of free-radicals. Your body has the amazing ability to heal itself, if it is functioning properly. When free-radicals are controlled, the body can function the way it was meant to... and will heal itself. What causes free radicals? Environmental pollution, food additives, high fat diet, excessive alcohol, smoking and passive smoke inhalation, burns, infection, stress, radiation and nutrient deficiencies. How much damage can be caused by free radicals? A lot... They attack all body tissues, degrade collagen and reprogram DNA. Free-radicals have been said to be the underlying cause in almost every disease. Is free-radical damage real? Yes... Free-radical damage or oxidative stress is very real. Everyone is subjected to it. Free-radicals have been directly linked to premature aging, arthritis, circulatory disorders, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, heart disease, arteriosclerosis and many other disorders. Should you take "Super Antioxidan" supplements? Antioxidants protect you against the harmful and destructive effects of free-radical damage. If you don't have adequate protection against these free-radicals, you are very likely to age faster and experience otherwise avoidable health problems. OPC antioxidants are powerful, natural, free-radical neutralizers. You may be well advised to start taking an OPC Super Antioxidant today... and for life In principle, what is OPC good for ? OPC is probably the most versatile nutrient ever discovered. It is the most active free radical scavenging antioxidant known. It helps protects against all sorts of degenerative conditions. It has especially been researched for circulatory problems. Research pointed out that OPC is what makes the "French Paradox" work. With the "French Paradox" scientists indicate that they wonder why the French have a much lower cardiovascular mortality than e.g. Americans. The answer to the paradox was found in the consumption of red wine, especially in the consumption of one substance in the red wine: OPC. One of the greatest values of OPC is its ability to preserve and protect collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are important structural constituents of the vascular wall, skin and connective tissues including ligaments, tendons and others. Collagen and elastin contribute to the elasticity of all these tissues. Does OPC also lower cholesterol ? OPC prevents the fixation of cholesterol to the elastin in the blood vessels. Thus, OPC inhibits cholesterol deposits in the vascular wall. Moreover, OPC has a vitamin C sparing effect. Vitamin C helps the body to get rid of an excess of cholesterol, so indirectly OPC helps the body to monitor cholesterol levels. Moreover, since OPC is an antioxidant, OPC inhibits the formation of the bad type of cholesterol (LDL) that easily fixes itself to the vascular wall. May pregnant women take OPC? Yes, they may. In fact, with Dr. Masquelier's grape seed extract clinical studies have been performed, in which pregnant women who were troubled by varicose veins and other circulatory problems in the legs took OPC. The product worked very well. Does OPC help against cancer? Dr. Masquelier says: "The Dutch MD, who speaks in the OPC in Practice video-tape, evokes the healing aspect of OPC and he takes a position of prudence. He considers that one should wait for a stabilization of the disease before employing the OPC. On my part, I contemplate the preventative aspect, and I advise the use of OPC as a health and dietary measure for people who are in good condition, but whose familial background might be disquieting. In this case, OPC works on two levels: "it inhibits the destruction of collagen by certain enzymes (e.g. hyaluronidase), in such a way that a nascent cancerous lesion rests localised and is thus accessible for surgery without the fear of metastases." "it stimulates the immune defenses of the organism. We know that a weakness of these defenses can lead to an outburst of cancerous conditions." Download Total Q & A PDF File : (787KB) Why should I recommend you take the Isotonix OPC-3? Better delivery will get better results. "There are numerous OPC formulations on the market. An Isotonic formula, when properly mixed with specific amount of water, ensures a more complete and more rapid absorption into the small intestine. As a result, we feel more of the beneficial ingredients are absorbed into your system without the degradation that can occur through the natural digestive process." -- By Dr. Ronald Klatz