POWERFUL
ANTIOXIDANTS
Free radicals are incredibly destructive. They damage our cells, which can mean premature
aging, reduced immune function, inflammation and ultimately degenerative disease. Our
primary defense is antioxidant nutrients, of which the most well known are Vitamins C and
E. The biological activity of antioxidants is enormously important to our health. OPC's
are very powerful antioxidant free radical scavengers. They are as much as 50 times more
potent than Vitamin E and 20 times more than Vitamin C. OPC's are major protectors of
collagen, the basic foundation our blood vessels and all connective tissues such as skin,
ligaments around joints and tendons.
Suggested
Use:
Usually 1 mg of OPC's per pound of body weight per day. Children and adults under 100 lbs
usually take 100 mg per day. Many individuals take more the first week and at special
times of need. OPC's are completely safe and no known toxicities exist. Many people take
double this amount very successfully.
Contains no preservatives, sugar, starch, salt, wheat,
yeast, corn, milk, soy derivatives, artificial flavoring or coloring agents.
HISTORY
In 1928, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi isolated Vitamin C. It helped prevent scurvy, but results
were not consistent. He later isolated bioflavonoids, which he called Vitamin P. He
blended the two together and called the mixture "citrin," which was more
reliable but still inconsistent.
Then in 1947, Professor Dr. Jack Masquelier, working at the University
of Bordeaux, isolated the first proanthocyanidins or OPC's ever identified. It shed light
on the colorless OPC's that had a vascular protective effect greater than Szent-Gorgyi's
citrin. OPC's were different than the bioflavonoids isolated earlier.
In 1948 and in 1951, Masquelier registered his first patents. In later
patents, he described methods to obtain OPC's from grape seeds. Most importantly, his 1987
U.S. Patent No. 4,698,360 granted the exclusive right to use OPC's as antioxidants to
protect the body "against the harmful biological effects of free radicals."
TERMINOLOGY
OPC extract contains individual units called catechins. When catechins occur individually,
they are called monomers. When linked together in pairs, they are called
"dimers" and when in three's, "trimers." He named the mixture
"pycnogenols" from the Greek "pycno" meaning to "thicken or
condense," "gen" meaning "to generate" and "ol" from
their chemical name.
The dimers and trimers are referred to as oligomeric proanthocyanidins.
"Oligo" is from the Greek meaning "a few". "Pro" means
"before" or "produces" and "anthoCyanins" are the red
compounds that the proanthcyanidins change into when fruit ripens, flowers mature or
leaves turn.
"Oligomeric ProanthoCyanidins" is abbreviated
"OPC." They are found in most plants, are highly bioavailable and are active in
the body as tremendous antioxidants and free radical scavengers. OPC's are chemically
classified as flavanols and are present in red wines, flowers, leaves, fruits, berries,
nuts, sorghum, beans and hops with high concentrations in skins, barks and seeds. The most
feasible commercial source is the seeds of grapes and the bark of the French Maritime
Pine.
Technically speaking, OPC's are not bioflavonoids. OPC's are
"flavonols" while bioflavonoids are "flavonoids." While the chemical
structure of their core molecules is the same, flavonols and flavonoids actually have
differences. OPC's are colorless, bioflavonoids are yellow. OPC's are water soluble,
bioflavonoids are relatively insoluble. OPC's, are always made up of polymers of one
compound called "flavan-3-ol," while bioflavonoids are made up of many different
compounds with a "flavane" nucleus. Nevertheless, both flavonols and
bioflavonoids occur in nature together.
FORMULATION
All Proanthenols Bio-Complex™ are formulated with 100% bioavailable and 100% residue
free Proanthocyanidins (OPC's) from Masquelier's OPC-85 including pharmaceutical grade
extracts of both grape seeds and pine bark. An important reason that Life Plus
Proanthenols Bio-Complex stands out is the inclusion of CytoFlav-C, a secret blend of
synergistic nutrients including Lemon Bioflavonoids, Hesperidin, Rutin, Quercetin and
Vitamin C. They belong to the total family of bioflavonoids, occur in nature with OPC's
and are a unique plus to these great formulas. Up to 25% of OPC extract consists of
monomeric precursors, the building blocks of OPC. In grape seed extract, these precursors
are known as catechins and epicatechins. Pine bark extract contains catechins and
taxifolin. Every plant species has its own unique precursor mix. Blending both grape seed
and pine bark extracts combines all their monomeric precursors. The two together provide a
broad spectrum, creating a more complete storehouse of OPC building blocks. On their own,
these precursors are inactive and short lived. However, catalyzed by the presence of OPC,
they become active and "unfurl" their own unique biological benefits rendering
the blend richer in total activity.
POWERFUL
ANTIOXIDANTS
Free radicals are incredibly destructive. They damage our cells, which can mean premature
aging, reduced immune function, inflammation and ultimately degenerative disease. Our
primary defense is antioxidant nutrients, of which the most well known are Vitamins C and
E. The biological activity of antioxidants is enormously important to our health. OPC's
are very powerful antioxidant free radical scavengers. They are as much as 50 times more
potent than Vitamin E and 20 times more than Vitamin C. OPC's are major protectors of
collagen, the basic foundation our blood vessels and all connective tissues such as skin,
ligaments around joints and tendons.
PHYTOZYME
BASE
All Proanthenols BIO-COMPLEX products are formulated in the proprietary Life Plus
PhytoZyme™ tablet base. PhytoZyme base is a unique combination of concentrates
containing numerous phytonutrients from over thirty different plants.
When you take Life Plus products, you receive the added benefit of many
natural phytochemicals. Each formula contains these synergistic nutrients for the natural
health supporting phytonutrients and other micronutrients they contain.
SUGGESTED
USE
Most individuals take 1 mg of OPC's per pound of body weight per day. For example, a 100
lb person would take 100 mg per day. This equals one HP 100 mg tablet, two Regular 50 mg
tablets or five 20 mg Mini-Tabs. Most take more the first week. Children and adults under
100 lbs take 100 mg per day. The HP formula is the most cost effective and convenient. It
is common to take more for specific needs. OPC's are completely safe and no known
toxicities exist. Many people take double this amount very successfully.
