Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are plant based flavonol compounds that are commercially extracted from grape seeds or pine bark.

Contents

Benefits

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are the best supplement for vascular health among all the herbs and herbal supplements – they actively support and bolster the vascular system in the body. The compounds help keep up the health of the capillary network. These tiny blood channels diffuse throughout the body and are the networks through which blood deposits all the essential nutrients to each cell in the body, capillaries also transport waste products away from cells. The capillary system lies at the root of the blood vascular system and has a multifunctional role. Each capillary needs to be sufficiently permeable to permit vital nutrients and oxygen to seep into the blood within, however, they also need to be strong enough to prevent too the outflow of vital fluids into the surrounding tissues – that occurs during a disorder called edema, resulting in the swelling andbloating of fluid laden tissues. Many neurological disorders can be alleviated as a direct result of the beneficial effects that OPCs have on general capillary health. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) also help prevent the inflammation and swelling of tissues caused by allergic reactions in the body. Ageing skin is revitalized and renewed by OPCs, which also toughen the skin and lower the chances of a bruise. OPCs also help prevent heart disease, by maintaining capillary health.

OPCs can bring relief from different allergies and alleviate asthma. One major effect of the oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) is that they inhibit the action of histamine and prevent it from inducing inflammation, swelling, and pain in the soft tissues of the body. The potent anti-oxidant activity of the OPCs inhibits the catalytic activation of enzymes called oygenases in the body – this class of enzymes responds to the presence of histamine and release inflammatory chemicals that are typically manifested as an allergic reaction. Even during allergy season, many people who suffer from allergies tend to discover that the use of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) helps alleviate all noticeable physical symptoms of an allergic reaction – such is the effectiveness of these compounds. The great benefit of using OPCs is that these compounds will not inhibit the synthesis of antibodies to specific allergens in the body, therefore, they will not be affected or interfere in desensitization treatments such as the most common allergy shots normally administered to allergy prone patients.

Supplemental OPCs may be beneficial in dealing with severe neurological degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease; possibly helping to alleviate some of the more adverse symptoms induced by these conditions in the body. It has been confirmed in studies, that OPCs in the blood prevent the alteration of blood vessels within the brain – a primary cause for the complication of symptoms in Parkinson’s disease affected patients. The beneficial effects of certain OPCs such as the pine bark extract derived compound pycnogenol, a patented form of the extract, have been confirmed in cell studies – it has been found that this compound actively inhibits the gradual accumulation of a peptide called beta-amyloid, that clutters in the form of plaques all over the central nervous system in Alzheimer patients. This peptide is believed to be toxic to nerve cells, responsible for the complete breakdown of cell membranes in the brain and CNS. This characteristic plaque observed in Alzheimer’s disease, can be alleviated through a certain extent by the use of the pine bark extract.

Caution

OPCs have been extensively tested for safety and are generally considered to be essentially nontoxic. Side effects are rare, but when they do occur they are limited to occasional allergic reactions and mild digestive distress.

Interactions

None are recorded.

Other names

OPCs

Reference

Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proanthocyanidin

Herbs2000, http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/opc.htm

FoundHealth, http://www.foundhealth.com/oligomeric-proanthocyanidins-opcs/side-effects-and-warnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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