OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins)

	What is OPC? ( OPC = Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins ) What is Free Radicals (Oxidation Process) What Causes Oxidation in Human Body? What Does Oxidation Leads To? Oxidation and Aging. Where do we get Antioxidant? Why OPC?
	What is OPC? ( OPC = Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins ) OPCs stands for the term Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins which is also known as “PCOs” for procyanidolic oligomers or Proanthocyanidins. OPC is a member in the bioflavonoid family. Some researchers also call these molecules “pycnogenol.” OPC (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) became famous in the early 1990s. It is now known as a key element to antioxidant activities, stabilization of collagen and maintenance of elastin. OPCs are wildely used in many anti-aging supplements today around the globe. OPCs were first noticed by Dr. Jack Masquelier of the university of Bordeaux (France) back in the mid 1900s. He first discovered this magical element from an ancient native American's tea recipe. This tea recipe uses pine barks and needles as a main fragrant component. The tea surprisingly saved a crew of explorers from scurvy. Dr. Masquelier found that pine bark contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which boosted the activity of vitamin C (now recognized as a primary anti-scurvy nutrient) present in the bard and also offered its own independent health-promoting properties. He soon found the similar material from the grape seed and started to study the OPCs in grape seeds and red wines. Quite recently, analysis of the molecular structure of red wine have now isolated one particular type of flavonoid in red wine - OPCs - as being particularly beneficial for protecting the heart and blood vessels. OPCs are now know as the most effective element in fighting against the free radicals which make them to be the main source in all antioxidant supplements.
	What is Free Radicals (Oxidation Process) In the early days of medical research, free radicals is defined as the molecules in which the electrical charge is not balanced. These molecules contain a free electron which makes them to be negatively charged. This unbalanced electrical energy makes the free radical highly reactive. It seeks out balanced molecules from which it attempts to acquire an electron in order to attain electrical equilibrium for itself. While the free radical may have attained its electrical equilibrium by gaining the electron, it creates a new free radical out of the previously balanced molecule, which then sets off on its quest to snatch an electron and so on. Although this type of activity is necessary in that is supplies the biochemical electricity from which our cells produce energy in order to carry out the body's most basic biological processes, an excess of free radicals can attack the structure of our cells.
	What Causes Oxidation in Human Body? Modern-day society has created an environment in which our bodies are overloaded with free radicals. The everyday sources of free radicals includes: - Food preservatives increase free radical levels; highly processed foods have little antioxidant value. In another word, people who always eat well cooked food such as BBQ, Deep Fried, Steamed, Boiled foods are likely to have less antioxidant in their body because they do not get enough from the daily food. - Ultra Violet radiation induces free radical formation in our skin, which may lead to skin cancer. So, for people who always get exposed to the sun light, you may need extra vitamin E and other extra antioxidant to keep your skin healthy. - Daily electronic radiation sources such as cell phone signals, microwave and x-rays promote increased free radical activity. - Fatty foods increase levels of LDL cholesterol in blood, which are readily oxidized by free radicals. Dr. Ursini and colleagues from University of Padova once conducted a convincing experiment. He fed a group of men and women a high fat meal, and some of them drank red wine as they ate. Dr. Ursini found that the level of oxidants - substances that lead to clogging of the arteries - was raised immediately after the meal. However, those who drank the wine had comparatively lower oxidant level than the ones did not drink. This is because there is rich OPCs in the red wine that can help to neutralize the unbalanced molecules in order to be beneficial for protecting the heart and blood vessels. - Excessive exercise promotes free radicals activity by increasing the body's consumption of oxygen. This is another reason for heavy work out programs does not necessarily guarantee them from getting seriously ill or develop the modern day killer diseases. In fact, excessive exercise may possibly cause the body to generate more free radicals which will leads to serious health problems. - Daily stress press key defense mechanisms of the body and leaves us vulnerable to the effects of free radical activity. This is also one of the major reasons for people who lives in a high stress environment or works in a stressful environment are likely to develop modern day killer diseases such as cancer. - The industrial pollution, auto waste gas and furnishing chemicals all emit free radicals as they dissipate into the air. - Cigarette smoke is dense with free radicals, one type of which lasts several days in the air. There have been many cases in people that are working in smoke permitted environments develop deadly diseases like cancer. The second hand smokers are the victims of cigarette smoke triggered oxidation.
	What Does Oxidation Leads To? Oxidation and Aging. Free radicals can cause disruption of DNA and RNA synthesis (necessary for cellular repair and replication), disturbance of protein synthesis (necessary for cellular energy), and destruction of cellular enzymes (necessary for chemical processes). Free radical disruption of cell metabolism contributes to cellular aging. The free radical theory may explain many of the structural features that develop with aging - including the lipid peroxidation of membranes, formation of age pigments, cross-linkage of proteins, DNA damage in cell nuclei and mitochondrial chromosomes and decline of mitochondrial function. Age related impairment of enzymes enhance production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through increased electron leakage. More than 100 human clinical conditions are now associated with elevated levels of ROS - including atherosclerosis, heart disease, cerebrovascular incidents, diabetes, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancers and aging itself. Free radicals and ROS both cause oxidation. In the body, degradation results from oxidation. We need oxygen to survive, yet our breathing allows the diffusion of free radicals and free radical-inducing chemicals into our lungs that help along the aging process. Cumulative oxidative damage to the cells and tissues of the body is an unfortunate adverse result of the normal course of oxygen-based metabolism. Left unchecked, oxygen would cause unlimited oxidation and, ultimately, death. Fortunately, the body is equipped with a way to counteract oxidation - through antioxidants.
	Where do we get Antioxidant? Why OPC? Our bodies produce antioxidants, however we do not carry out these syntheses of chemical protectants to a sufficient extent. We get additional antioxidants through food, specifically fruits and vegetables. All plants produce abundant quantities of antioxidants. Plant based antioxidants are known as "flavonoids" (a term that is now used interchangeably with "bioflavonoid"). Scientists have identified over 4,000 different flavonoids to date, and they are the most readily absorbed by the human body type of natural antioxidant. It is a fortunate and also an unfortunate for use using technology based farming activities. The fortunate part is that we have much more selections in vegetables and fruits on our table. The unfortunate part is that all the fertilizers, excess storage (from farm to storage then to market), less mineral based soil all effects the vitamin, mineral and bioflavonoid. Plus an additional selections on non-fruit / vegetable food sources (meat, diary products etc.) leave us even less room for bioflavonoid intakes. Therefore, nutritional supplementation of antioxidizing nutrients becomes essential to our wellness. Scientists have discovered that their free radical scavenging activities of antioxidant nutrients can be quite varied, largely due to the structural differences. Thus, the benefits of supplementation with these nutrients can be quite varied. For best results, each of us should, first an foremost, make an effort to consume a daily diet that is as high in fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables as possible. Then, we can get an extra boost of antioxidants by supplementing with a high-quality, natural dietary supplement, the selection of which should be matched to our individual health needs. OPCs (oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) are becoming recognized as one of the most potent categories of antioxidants discovered to date. Leading OPC researcher Dr. Bagchi, along with colleagues at Creighton University, has published numerous scientific studies on the free radicals scavenging activity of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract (GSPE). Dr. Bagchi and colleagues have remarked that GSPE is "highly bioavailable and prodies significantly greater protection against free radicals and DNA damage than vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene." Earlier work by Dr. Bagchi documented that GSPE inhibited 78-81% of free radicals exerted on cells in the lab setting, whereas vitamin C inhibited by a mere 12-19% and vitamin E inhibited by only 36-44%. OPCs become active antioxidants in the bloodstream in a remarkably short time period. Dr. Nuttall and team from University of Birmingham (United Kingdom) found that a five-day course of GPSE was able to significantly raise blood levels of total antioxidants. Moreover, on the last day of the study, Dr. Nuttall found that GPSE raised total antioxidant activity by over 11% in just one hour after supplement was consumed. Some evidence suggests that OPCs can reduce the discomfort and swelling of varicose veins and decrease the edema (swelling) that often follows injury or surgery. OPCs are also marketed for preventing heart disease, revitalizing aging skin, treating allergic conditions and reducing the tendency toward easy bruising, but there is little meaningful evidence as yet that they are effective for these purposes. Click Here to Learn OPCs and Modern Day Killer Diseases (coming soon) Click Here to Learn OPCs and Daily Health in General (coming soon) Click Here to Learn OPCs and Special Populations (coming soon)
	OPCs (PCO) Supplements Because OPCs are frequently destroyed when foods are processed, it is unlikely that most Americans get this level of OPCs by consuming foods in the everyday diet. Here are some tips for selecting a high quality, efficacious OPC supplement. - Extraction sources: Currently, there are three major sources for OPCs supplement formation. They are Grape Seed, Pine Barks and Red Wine. Grape Seed extracts is know to be the best source out of all three. - Extraction process: it is very important that the OPC supplement you select delivers a high degree of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Scientists have found that the method by which extracts of grape seed, red wine, and pine bark can greatly affect the ratio of OPCs to simpler catechism. - Daily Dosing: OPCs do not last long in the bloodstream, so we need to ingest them daily in order to maintain their protective effects on the blood. Consequently, it becomes important to select an OPC product that is easy for us to take and is proven to give us a useful does of OPCs. Among many selections of OPCs supplements, I personally suggest the Grape Seed (PCO) Phytosome from Enzymatic Therapy. It contains procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs) which meet or exceed the quality of Pycnogenol from pine bark. PCOs extracted from grape seeds are the preferred form recommended by health care practitioners in France. Grape Seed (PCO) Phytosome surrounds the water-soluble PCO molecules with fat-soluble phosphatidylcholine molecules. This combination is easily absorbed and highly bioavailable, so more PCOs are delivered to body tissues. Click here for Grape Seed (PCO) Phytosome from Enzymatic Therapy