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| Grape, grape seed, skin and stem have anti-atherogenic properties that protect against cardiovascular disease. |
| Grape seed-derived OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) has both antioxidant capacity and other specific benefits to health. |
| In brief, here are the health benefits of OPC |
- Acts as a superior antioxidant, protecting cells in the body against destruction by free radicals.
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- Reduces LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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- Reduces platelet aggregation, thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
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- Increases the strength and elasticity of blood vessels, protecting against rupture, leakage and degeneration.
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- Enhances the ability of collagen to repair itself, thereby protecting against age-related and degenerative processes
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- Inhibits swelling (edema) and inflammation.
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- Relieves functional problems of varicose veins.
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- Reduces discomfort associated with PMS and menopause.
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- Reduces the tendency toward diabetic retinopathy.
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- Improves skin health by reducing damage, increasing nutrient supply and improving elasticity.
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| OPC is rapidly absorbed, and quickly distributed throughout the body. As a free radical fighter, OPC comes to the aid of the body more quickly than other antioxidants, thereby reducing the potential for free radical damage and the ravages of aging. OPC is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin C in scavenging oxygen free radicals in the body. Plus, OPC has a sparing effect on vitamin C by blocking the action of ascorbate oxydase, the enzyme that destroys vitamin C. OPC is a more effective antioxidant than vitamin E, because it can scavenge more free radicals. |
| OPC prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol by scavenging oxidative free radicals. As a result of this activity, OPC helps to prevent the build-up of oxidized cholesterol on artery walls. Acting in this way, OPC goes after the root cause of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, OPC modifies the activity of hormone-like factors which prevent platelets from clumping together and forming a dangerous clot. In two important ways, OPC helps to prevent the primary causes of heart attack and stroke. |
| OPC helps keep the cardiovascular system healthy. OPC strengthens collagen in vascular walls, making vessels stronger and more elastic. OPC alters the membrane receptor conformation of vascular walls. Thus in addition to preventing the root causes of vessel occlusion, OPC strengthens vessels, thereby reducing the risk of a rupture or hemorrhage. Thus OPC helps to prevent and relieve conditions of vascular fragility including hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and spider veins. |
| OPC also reduces high blood pressure by inhibiting the activity of ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme). This is the same mode of action by which prescription anti-hypertensive drugs work. Further working in a manner which supports total vascular health, OPC improves the strength of fine vessels, or capillaries, and helps to prevent leakage of blood cells and fluids. It is also effective in relieving varicosities and venous insufficiency, and strengthens capillary walls in the legs, effectively reducing venous problems. |
| As a collagen-promoter, OPC strengthens collagen protein, affixing to vascular walls, thus enhancing vascular integrity by literally becoming part of the tissue structure. When OPC binds to collagen, it modifies the vulnerability of connective tissue membranes, making it more difficult for destructive enzymes in the body to cause damage. One such enzyme is collagenase, which breaks down collagen fibers. OPC prevents the degradation of collagen by the enzyme collagenase. OPC makes collagen resistant to the activity of collagenase by binding tightly to soluble collagen fibers and altering receptor sites so that the enzyme cannot bind to the protein and break it down. OPC also enhances the ability of collagen to repair itself, thereby helping to protect it against degenerative processes and harmful agents. |
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