OPC Antioxidant Reference Guide
Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins

What are antioxidants?

An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen or peroxides. The primary antioxidants are vitamins A, C, and E.

Why do we need antioxidants?

The oxygen atom, which, in a stable state has four pairs of electrons, becomes unstable when it loses an electron. An oxygen atom with seven electrons is referred to as a free radical. This name aptly describes its action in the body, too. Just as water pools, and vacuums are filled quickly in nature, free radicals quickly attach themselves to something - in this case body tissues - in order to stabilize themselves. What happens is the free radical takes an electron from the membrane of a body tissue and by doing so, produces yet another free radical, which then is obliged by its charge to seek out another electron - in your body. What results is a cascade of oxidations - a "rusting" of body tissues.

Free radicals attack all your vital cellular structures, such as cell membranes and stimulate processes that have been linked to accelerated cellular aging. An antioxidant's job is to neutralize the free radical cells thus protecting the cells in our body from accelerated aging. By neutralizing the free radicals, these once free radical cells are able to assist with nutritional distribution, proper circulation and overall better health.

Cigarette smoke, air pollution, alcohol, drugs, radiation from televisions and computers, chemicals and a busy life generate free radicals, which cause "oxidative stress". Oxidative stress has been linked to many diseases. Flavonoids which function as antioxidants, found in OPC, may help provide further protection against diseases.

OPC's, extracted from grape seeds and pine bark, provides superior antioxidant protection that is 50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more powerful than vitamin C. OPC's help other antioxidants (including vitamins C and E) work better. OPC's protect your cells against free radical attack and support the collagen structure of all the organs in your body.

8 Out of 10 Doctors Take an Antioxidant For Long Term Health - 1992 Medical Tribune

Studies from the National Cancer Institute on Aging, John Hopkins University and the American Heart Association have found how antioxidants isolated from fruits and vegetables and natural herbs function within our body's cellular and tissue systems. Fruits, vegetables and other plants have hundreds of protective nutrients that protect our bodies from "free radicals" which enter and destroy our bodies. In some instances, the damage can even be reversed by antioxidants.