|
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPCs are a class of flavonoid complexes found in grape seeds and skin, that act as antioxidants (free radical scavengers) in the human body.
Thus, OPCs may help protect against the effects of internal and environmental stresses (such as cigarette smoking, pollution, and supporting normal body metabolic pro-cesses). The effects may include depressing blood fat, emolliating blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, preventing blood vessel scleroses, dropping blood viscidity and preventing thrombus formation (a type of platelet clot).
 Drying Grape Seed
Additionally, studies have shown that OPCs may prevent cardiovascular disease by counteracting the negative effects of high cholesterol on the heart and blood vessels. The most common antioxidants currently used are vitamin C and vitamin E; however, studies show that proanthocyanidins antioxidant capabilities are 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E. An important supplement, the proanthocyanidins found in pine bark and grape seed extract work directly to help strengthen all the blood vessels and improve the delivery of oxygen to the cells. Doctor recommended as anti-oxidants, they have become increasingly more important as our environment deteriorates through the introduction of toxins from pollution. By inhibiting these enzymes, proanthocyanidins reduce histamine production naturally, eliminating the need for man-made antihistamines and their side-effects; therefore, proanthocyandidins are used in the treatment of allergies.
- Proanthocyanidins help improve circulation. Tissues require a blood supply for their nutrition and for repair purposes in the event of injury. Also, all tissues, whether injured or healthy, produce waste products. These waste products need to be efficiently removed from the tissues. Nutrition is provided by and waste removal is accomplished by capillaries, which are the smallest blood vessels in our body. To do these functions properly, the capillaries must be healthy. Proanthocyanidins strengthen capillary walls, therefore improving circulation. This is especially important for people with compromised circulatory systems, such as stroke victims, diabetics, arthritics, smokers, oral contraceptive users and people with general cardiovascular insufficiencies.
- Proanthocyanidins inhibit the body’s enzymes that break down collagen. All cells connect to one another with strong fibers called collagen. Proanthocyanidins help collagen repair and rebuild correctly which can reverse damage done over the years by injury and free radical attack. The breakdown of collagen is what causes our skin to lose its elasticity which in turn causes wrinkles. Proanthocyanidins help keep skin elastic, smooth and wrinkle-free. Proanthocyanidins are also taken as an oral cosmetic to help in the prevention of wrinkles.
- Proanthocyanidins serve to protect against environmental toxins, such as radiation, pesticides, pollution, heavy metals, etc. The production of free radicals is increased because of today's environment. Tobacco smoke, alcohol, solvents, chemicals and more cause free radicals to form. Since proanthocyanidins eliminate free radicals, they help us fight the toxic effects of our environment.
- Proanthocyanidins act as a natural, internal sunscreen. The Sun's ultraviolet rays destroy up to 50 percent of our skin cells. Proanthocyanidins reduce this amount to approximately 15 percent. Inhibiting the daily effects the Sun's rays have on our skin is our best defense against the aging of our skin.
- Proanthocyanidins cross the blood-brain barrier to protect the blood vessels in the brain. Unlike most other nutritional supplements, the beneficial effects of proanthocyanidins cross the blood-brain barrier. This enables proanthocyanidins to fight free radicals in the vessels of the brain that in turn will help them remain healthy. This can result in increased mental acuity, a decreased potential for stroke, and possibly in fighting senility.
A number of grape seed oil vendors have claimed that grape seed oil is high in OPCs.
However independent studies have indicated that grape seed oil is actually the grape product with the lowest concentration of OPCs.
This is because OPCs are polar molecules which have very low solubility in nonpolar solvents such as oils. However OPCs are available from fresh grapes, grape juice, and red wine. Many other foods and beverages also contain high amounts of OPCs, but very few come close to the levels found in red grape seeds and skins (which readily disperse into grape juice when crushed).
Following the needs to provide the human body with OPCs that are easily available and highly concentrated, foxmill founder, president and CEO Peter Fuchs invented a procedure to re-enrich his OPC product based on grape seed, Pegasus, with significant amounts of natural OPC that normally is lost during the manufacturing process and foxmill also is offering a very high concentrated OPC food-addition, Merlins Ambrosia.
Both Merlins Ambrosia and Pegasus are not produced in industrial environments, but in a traditional oilmill, where the highest care is taken to provide the customer with the best quality available.
|
