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OPCs are primarily derived from grape seed, pine bark and red wine. Each source has its own unique structure and exerts its own distinct biological activity, thus research scientists recommend an OPC product that contains a diverse blend of OPCs. Grape seed extract contains 90-95% OPCs, while pine bark extract contains 80-85% OPCs. These are the two most potent sources of OPCs. The third most abundant source of OPCs is red “wine” extract, as it is extracted from the OPC-rich skins and seeds of red grapes. Science shows OPCs’ potential benefits include the following areas:

• Cholesterol: In vitro studies show OPCs neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), protecting against oxidation of LDL and promoting healthy cholesterol levels.

• Heart tissue: OPCs help maintain normal heart function.

• Vascular system: OPCs have been found to promote circulation, support healthy aortic tissue, plus improve capillary and microcapillary strength.

• Immune system: OPCs support healthy immune responses. In vitro, OPCs are shown to stimulate the secretion of gamma interferon – a cytokine that boosts immune responses
.
• Blood Sugar Maintenance: OPCs from grape seed extract, in combination with niacin-bound chromium, have been found to combat free radical formation and promote healthy blood sugar maintenance.

• Brain tissue: In vitro studies show OPCs from pine bark and grape seed extracts offer protection against cellular damage, including DNA breakage within brain tissue (commonly found with exposure to free radicals and toxic agents).

• Absorption: Isotonic supplements are formulated for 90-95% absorption. Pills or capsules may only deliver 10-40% absorption.

References
• J Med Food. 2003 Winter; 6(4):291-9.; Polyphenolics in grape seeds-biochemistry and functionality.; Shi J, Yu J, Pohorly JE, Kakuda Y.

• Curr Med Chem. 2004 May;11(10):1345-59.; Proanthocyanidins in health care: current and new trends.; Caos P, De Bruyne T, Hermans N, Apers S, Berghe DV, Vlietinck AJ.

• Altern Med Rev. 2003 Nov;8(4):442-50.Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Monograph.; [No authors listed]

• Biochem Pharmacol. 2003 Sep 15;66(6):947-54.; Antioxidant protection of low density lipoprotein by procyanidins: structure/activity relationships.; da Silva Porto PA, Laranjinha JA, de Freitas VA.

• New Phytol. 2005 Jan; 165(1):9-28; Proanthocyanidins — a final frontier in flavonoid research? Dixon RA, Xie DY, Sharma SB.

• ISSN 1007-9327 CN 14-1219/R World J Gastroenterol 2005 August 14;11(30): 4674-4678 Anticancer effects of oligomeric proanthocyanidins on human colorectal cancer cell line, SNU-C4; Youn-Jung Kim, Hae-Jeong Park, Seo-Hyun Yoon, Mi-Ja Kim, Kang-Hyun Leem, Joo-Ho Chung, Hye-Kyung Kim H.

• J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):7872-83.; Proteomics analysis of rat brain protein modulations by grapeseed extract.; Deshane J, Chaves L, Sarikonda KV, Isbell S, Wilson L, Kirk M, Grubbs C, Barnes S, Meleth S, Kim H.

• J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Oct 20; 52(21): 6433-42.Effective separation of potent antiproliferation and antiadhesion components from wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fruits.

• Clin Sci (Lond). 2004 Nov; 107(5):513-7. The procyanidin-induced pseudo laminarshear stress response: a new concept for the reversal of endothelialdysfunction.; Corder R, Warburton RC, Khan NQ, Brown RE, Wood EG, Lees DM.;Schmidt BM, Howell AB, McEniry B, Knight CT, Seigler D, Erdman JW Jr, Lila MA.

• Res Vet Sci. 2004 Dec; 77(3): 239-43.; Green tea flavan-3-ols and oligomeric proanthocyanidins inhibit the motility of infective larvae of Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in vitro.; Molan AL, Sivakumaran S, Spencer PA, Meagher LP.

• Endocrinology. 2004 Nov; 145(11):4985-90. Epub 2004 Jul 22. Grapeseed-derived procyanidins have an antihyperglycemic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabeticrats and insulinomimetic activity in insulin-sensitive cell lines.; Pinent M, Blay M, Blade MC, Salvado MJ, Arola L, Ardevol A

I have asthma. I have been taking OPC3 and Aloe, as well as B-12(in Isotonix form), and glucosatrin. Since I have been taking it (4 months now), I have completely quit using my inhaler and am off all Astha meds. ( it did not react with any meds for me), I feel better than I have in years. I went through a brief period of detox while it cleaned out all the junk from my system, but I hung in there, stayed on the products and got better each day. It also healed my knee ( was in car accident–tore cartiladge in my knee, had surgery,had fluid drained from it 5 times, had cortisone in it 5 times, still limped, still had swelling, still had pain….. AND NOW IT IS ALL GONE but that is a whole other story), I am 43 and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was 19, I swear OPC-3 has healed that too. I probably would have laughed if someone would have told me that this product would heal these things for me ( I am an Occupational therapist, and have worked in the medical field for 21 years). What did I have to lose, the products came highly recommended by a dear friend. I am now a distributor, I believe in this–as they say the proof is in the pudding, I say the proof is in the OPC-3. It also has healed my husband from his allergies that he has had horribly for 38 years. I don’t think that he has ever been able to breathe through his nose. Now he can breathe from his nose, No runny nose, No itchy watery eyes. It has changed the quality of our lives for the better. This is an answer to prayer.

Sue

Hand Pain-Chronic Fatigue-OPC-3-Calcium-Gedeon
June 23, 2009
I am a physical therapist who had hand pain almost every day for 8 years. I
started on OPC-3 and Calcium initially and found that helped my chronic fatigue problem. Then I added ORAC and my hand pain went away. As long as I take the two products, I’m fine. I have found that it will come back if I am off these two for a few days. I actually have been getting my OPC-3 in the form of Beauty Blend for the last several months and that works just as great. One thing I have noticed is that if I eat foods that are high in concentrated sweets, I will wake up the next day with some swelling and achiness in my hands again. I take my Isotonix and it goes away, but if I avoid these types of foods, I don’t have any problems. Perhaps your customer should try an elimination diet and see if she can pinpoint any foods which may aggravate her problem. We don’t need to add problems through wrong dietary choices.

Hope that helps.

Janet Gedeon, RPT, LC
Dynamic Health Solutions
janetpt@knology.net
Cell: 727-459-7271