Antioxidant Properties Many Times More Potent Than Vitamin C!
Grape Seed Extract contains an oligomeric proanthocyanidin complex (OPC), a class of flavonoids with powerful antioxidant properties. Flavonoids are a group of compounds found naturally occurring in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, flowers and tree bark. Studies show proanthocyanidins to have clinical benefit in cardiovascular health, glucose metabolism, balancing cholesterol levels and improving skin elasticity. Grape Seed extract, also known as oligomeric proanthocyanidin complex, a class of flavonoids with powerful antioxidant properties (1,2). An integral part of the human diet, flavonoids are a group of compounds occurring naturally in fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, flowers and bark. OPC is an extensively studied compound exhibiting multiple benefits in human health.
Cholesterol: One of the most significant benefits of grape seed extract is the ability to support cardiovascular health. Many clinical studies in Europe have shown that grape seed extract can maintain healthy cholesterol levels(3). It is well known that "polyphenols" behave as free radical scavengers and antioxidants.
Blood Vessel Fragility: The integrity of capillaries is a major factor in our health. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels with a thin layer. Capillary fragility or leakage can lead to bruising, varicose veins, and restless legs. Grape seed extract has shown the ability to strengthen and stabilize capillaries and reduce leakage (5). Skin: Skin is considered to be the body's largest organ consisting of several layers. Free radical damage from the sun and normal aging causes the skin to become thinner and less resilient. Several studies show how grape seed extract will protect the skin from free radical destruction and restore damaged collagen and elastin (6,7).
Allergies: The symptoms of allergies are caused by inflammation due to the release of histamines in the blood. Quality: The benefit of taking grape seed extract is well documented. To assure product quality a variety of tests including Porter value units and HPLC are used to be sure that grape seed extract is free of contaminants and exceeds 100 mg of proanthocyanidins. Percent value of OPCs in a formula is irrelevant, total milligrams of proanthocyanidin is the important factor.
Grape Seed Extract Highlights
- Guaranteed to contain a minimum of 100 mg Proanthocyanidin polymers per capsule
- Antioxidant properties many times more potent than Vitamin C
- Improves capillary integrity
- May promote cardiovascular health
- Supports cholesterol metabolism
- Improves skin resilience by restoring damaged collagen & elastin
REFERENCES:
- Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 95:179, 1997.
- Gen Pharmacol. 30:771, 1998.
- J Nut. 124:2451, 1994.
- Biofactors. 6:403, 1997.
- Acta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg. 16:50-4, 1990.
- Acta Therapeutica. 7:101, 1981.
- Biochem Pharmacol. 33:3933, 1984.
- International Symposium on Pycnogenol, Bordeaux, France, Oct 1990.