OPC+ Super Anti-Oxidant by Vital Xpression

We have combined OPC, Pine Bark Extract, Whole Grape Crystals, Grape Seed Extract, Resveratrol, Super Boost B-12, Bilberry Leaf & Extracts, Bioflavonoids, Vitamin C, along with Amylase Enzymes, to create an optimum formula, in one product, for enhancing the following areas in your life:

• Cardiovascular health (stronger blood vessels, healthier blood cells)
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Joint pain and gout relief
• Stronger eye tissues
• Immune system fortification
• Increased feeling of energy and endurance
• Enhanced production of myelin which insulates nerve fibers
• Allergy Relief and many, many more benefits!!

OPC+ is named for the cumulative effect of this powerful combination of products which provides a super free radical scavenging effect, greater than the individual parts could provide separately.

OPC's

OPC's are nature’s most powerful antioxidants. They neutralize free radical damage to the body’s tissues at the cellular level. OPC+ consists of the three best sources of OPC in the highest quality: Pine Bark, Grape Seed Extract & Whole Grape Extract. Bilberry leaf and extract have also been added.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol has been shown to act as an antioxidant by inhibiting free radical formation, and as an anti-mutagen in rat models. Resveratrol appears to decrease tumor promotion activity by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), an enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to pro-inflammatory substances that stimulate tumor-cell growth.

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin which helps maintain healthy nerves and red blood cells. It functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath that surrounds nerve cells.

Amylase Enzymes

Amylase Enzymes, belonging to a family of alpha, beta, and gamma digestive enzymes, are responsible for starch-splitting or amylolytic activity that splits starch molecules and related polysaccharides. Interestingly, amylase enzymes are also partly effective in destroying histamine reactions, which causes the general symptoms experienced during an allergic reaction. Amylase enzymes work great for digesting starches and carbohydrates and may be useful for people with gluten sensitivities.

When you eat or drink or when you take supplements in a pill form, the stomach must prepare the items for proper absorption into the small intestine.

In response to the arrival of food, glands present in the lining of the stomach release certain digestive enzymes which break down the food into smaller, easier to digest fragments. The solution is referred to as being in an “Iso-Osmotic State”. Only in this state will the stomach release its contents into the small intestine where the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates contained in the foods you consume takes place.

The resulting nutrients produced are absorbed through the lining of the small intestine and transferred to the bloodstream. It can take from one to four hours for the stomach to release the appropriate acids or bases to create this “Iso-Osmotic State”. This results in a higher dilution factor and lower concentration of nutrients that will be absorbed into your bloodstream.

To compound this problem even further many people have a limited ability to absorb nutrients. This is especially true of people who are already experiencing some type of health challenge, are under emotional stress, or who are simply “getting older” and the body is not working as efficiently as it once did.

A major downside to pills or capsules is that most, if not all, contain fillers, coatings, binders or artificial color which can make this one to four hour period even longer or worse – cause some pills to pass straight through without being digested at all!

With OPC+ you are receiving one of the most nutrient enriched products available today with a “SUPERIOR DELIVERY SYSTEM”. OPC+ added to water and taken on an empty stomach allows it to be turned into an “Iso-Osmotic” state within 5-10 minutes rather than hours!

Due to minimized time in the stomach with increased exposure to the digestive juices, a higher percentage of the nutrients are available for absorption leading to maximum levels of nutrient delivery into the blood stream.

OPC is unique among biological nutrients contained in nutritional supplements in that extensive laboratory and clinical research has been ongoing for more than fifty years to support the structure and function claims made for its multiple potential health benefits. Summarized here are some of the most important health benefits of OPC that are found in greater detail in the more than 100 research articles reviewed in the new book by Glen A. Halvorson M.D. "OPC: The Real Story About Nature's Most Powerful Antioxidant."

OPC has not been prominently featured in cancer research since it has been found to have overwhelmingly positive effects on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. Its potential chemopreventive properties are currently under review because of the renewed interest in flavonoids as chemopreventive agents. Key research includes the following:

Huynh, et al., showed that Pycnogenol® inhibits nitrogen- containing compounds from causing cancer in the gastro- intestinal tract of rats. Nitrogen compounds are known to increase risk in humans for both gut and lung cancers.

Nelson, et al., found that Pycnogenol® protected DNA single and double strands from breaking in the presence of oxygen free radical species. This breakage of genetic material is thought to be a possible factor in carcinogenesis (creation of cancer).

Jang, et al., review the properties of the chemical trans- Resveratrol (or Resveretrol) found recently in red wine and the skin of grapes. Cancer studies at the University of Illinois found Resveratrol prevented cancer from starting in normal cells, stopped already cancerous cells from growing, and caused already cancerous cells to revert back to normal.

Grape skin contained the highest amount of Resveratrol of over 1000 plants studied. The OPC in EIF comes from red grapes grown in the Rhone Valley of France that have a comparatively higher content of Resveratrol.

Please keep in mind Resveratrol was tested in cultured cells from mice with induced cancer; there have been no studies in humans. This does not mean Resveratrol doesn't fight cancer, but as of today, realistically speaking, there is more evidence to support its role in reducing heart disease than cancer. Resveratrol prevents platelet aggregation--another reason or excuse to drink red wine! Epidemiological studies do present strong evidence for a reduced risk of both cancer and heart disease in populations consuming higher than normal amounts of red wine on a daily basis (2-4 glasses per day).

Packer, et al., cite many references that support cancer- protective properties of flavonoids and polyphenols including OPC. Flavonoids in numerous studies inhibit the growth of tumor cells by various mechanisms including antioxidant properties, inhibition of enzymes that facilitate cellular metabolism, and ability to inhibit telomerase, an enzyme essential for promoting rapid growth of tumor cells.

A brief review of the multiple benefits of OPC should convince even the most skeptical scientist of the value of increasing daily intake of bioflavonoids, including OPC.

OPC inhibits damage to blood vessels and inhibits abnormal clotting of blood, both of which are related to heart disease. OPC inhibits excessive metabolizing of nitric oxide, a process linked to inflammation, arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease (Fitzpatrick).

OPC 100 mg given to smokers two hours after smoking inhibited clotting of platelets more effectively and faster than 500 mg of aspirin. A 200 mg dose of OPC was even more effective with effects lasting a week after the OPC was stopped (Watson, Putter). OPC corrects some forms of infertility in males by increasing the number of structurally normal sperm, a more cost effective treatment than expensive fertility drugs (Roseff)!

OPC is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants, inhibiting superoxide and hydroxyl forms of oxygen free radicals more effectively than either Vitamin C or E (Bagchi).

OPC inhibits lipid peroxidation of blood fats more effectively than Vitamin E (Bagchi).

OPC inhibits growth of cancer cells in the laboratory while simultaneously enhancing the growth and viability of normal human gastric mucosal cells (Ye).

OPC inhibits acetaminophen-induced liver death in lab mice (Ray).

OPC improved venous insufficiency in 80% of patients treated for just 10 days with 100 mg of OPC. Itching, heaviness and pain disappeared with rapid reduction of the swelling in lower limbs. Symptom improvement correlated with objective changes in videocapillaroscope examination of blood flow (Constantini).

Resveratrol, a chemical found in the skin of grapes, was shown to protect lipid and protein membranes against copper- induced oxidation (Fremont).

OPC binds to both collagen and elastin fibers in connective tissue to reduce their rate of degradation by inflammatory enzymes (Tixier).

OPC protects the lining of blood vessel walls from free radical damage (Rong).

OPC reduces diabetic retinal bleeding and improves vision within a few weeks on as little as 100 mg per day (Froantin).

OPC reduces peripheral edema in several studies involving over 4,000 patients (Henreit).

OPC increases capillary resistance, resulting in lower systolic blood pressure (Lagrue).

OPC reduces severity and duration of soft tissue injuries in soccer players treated immediately following injury with 400 mg per day tapering over several weeks to 200 mg per day of OPC from grape seed extract (Parienti).

OPC reduces symptoms in gastric ulcers (Saito).

OPC reduces post-surgical swelling and pain and speeds soft tissue recovery when elective facial surgery patients were pre- treated before and after surgery (Baruch).

OPC reduced symptoms of PMS in over 60% of patients treated with 200 mg of OPC for three months and in 80% of patients treated for six months (Amsellem).

OPC is an acronym for "oligomeric proanthocyanidins", a polyphenolic phytochemical extracted from many different plants of which the highest concentrations for supplement use are found in grape seed extract, entire grape extract, and pine bark extract.

OPC is distinct from other plant flavonoids because it is a flavan-3-ol. Flavanols differ from flavonoids in that flavanols are highly water-soluble, absorbable and bioavailable. OPC is quickly and readily distributed throughout the body within minutes to a few hours of oral ingestion. OPC also contains ellagitannins in lesser amounts than red raspberries.

OPC is a potent scavenger of free radicals. It is one of nature's most potent antioxidants. OPC contains multiple electron donor sites (hydroxyl sites) that allow it to bind to unstable molecules called free radicals by donating its hydrogen atoms. OPC also recycles other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and glutathione by removing the free radicals they bind with and freeing them up to interact again with other free radicals.

Examples of free radical scavenging activities of OPC include: traps hydroxyl and superoxide radicals; inhibits or delays onset of lipid peroxidation; chelates free iron molecules and inhibits iron-induced lipid peroxidation; reduces free radical production by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase; and inhibits degradative enzymes that produce free radicals through soft tissue damage (hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase, protease).

OPC from grape seed extract contains the most potent antioxidant activity of the various polyphenols studied. In one study rat blood vessel walls were exposed to free radicals and the ability of grape seed extract, pine bark, and bilberry to protect the blood vessel walls from damaged was measured. Grape seed extract provided the best arterial wall defense against the damaging effects of free radicals and on an absolute scale, was 22% stronger than pine bark extract and 15% greater than bilberry extract (Jonadet).

OPC binds to protein tissue such as collagen, producing a wide range of benefits to health and anti-aging. OPC binds to the collagen in blood vessel walls, making capillaries stronger and more elastic, improving circulation, and reducing blood pressure. Since joint capsules, ligaments, and tendons are also made up of collagen, OPC typically improves joint elasticity and range of motion. Since skin is also predominantly collagen, OPC is billed in France as the internal cosmetic, making skin more elastic, softening wrinkles, and giving skin over time a more youthful appearance.

The protein-binding properties of OPC also affect protein receptor sites that control enzymes of inflammation and allergy. OPC blocks the release of histamine, resulting in reduced symptoms in allergies, ulcers, and asthma. OPC blocks the release of proteases and collagenases, resulting in reduced swelling, inflammation, and pain in arthritis.

OPC reduces pain, inflammation, swelling, and stiffness in joints made symptomatic from arthritis or injury in several documented ways. OPC is a potent anti-inflammatory that inhibits the release of degradative enzymes including collagenases, proteases, and elastases that damage soft tissues including joint cartilage and synovial joint linings. OPC is a potent antioxidant that inhibits free radical damage and inflammatory response following injury. OPC speeds recovery from acute injury by inhibiting or reducing the formation of soft tissue edema secondary to acute inflammation. OPC reduces symptoms of chronic joint stiffness and restores functional mobility by improving elasticity of connective tissues. OPC speeds up healing by increasing circulation to joints.

OPC may be the ultimate anti-aging nutrient. OPC improves the appearance of skin. OPC increases circulation to the brain and enhances cognitive functions such as memory and mood. OPC reduces joint stiffness associated with wear and tear of aging.OPC is a potent antioxidant that slows aging by inhibiting the damaging effects of free radicals.

Diabetics experienced reduced diabetic retinopathy and improved retinal appearance and clinical visual acuity after taking as little as 100 mg of OPC per day for six weeks. OPC may enhance peripheral circulation and reduce symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

OPC has no known side effects such as mutagenecity, carcinogenecity, cellular toxicity or allergic reactions in over fifty years of clinical and laboratory research. Toxicity studies in animals indicate OPC has an extremely high LD50. This means that humans would have to take literally hundreds of thousands of milligrams daily to be adversely effected. OPC is safe to take during pregnancy and breast feeding, unless combined with other herbal ingredients that may be contraindicated during pregnancy.

OPC works best when taken at saturation levels of at least one milligram per pound of body weight per day. A person weighing 200 pounds would take 100 mg twice daily for a total daily dose of 200 milligrams. Therapeutic levels, 300-600 mg of OPC per day, are frequently prescribed by European physicians for medical conditions they think might respond to OPC. Maintenance levels of 100 mg per day are recommended for healthy, younger individuals taking OPC along with other supplements for nutritional insurance.