Supplement Highlight: Nutrametrix OPC-3

Written by:  Erin Peisach, RD, LDN

OPC-3, which is short for oligomeric proanthocyanidins, is a highly bio-available, potent antioxidant supplement that is now offered for patients at our patient clinic. This exciting supplement is up to 20-times more powerful than vitamin C and 50-times more powerful than vitamin E in its antioxidant capacity. What exactly is in this supplement that makes it so effective? It contains a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine, and pine bark extracts, as well as citrus extract bioflavonoids. Not only will OPC-3 neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, but it may also help maintain joint flexibility, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce inflammation.

A 2008 study published in Angiology found that OPC-3 daily supplementation over a 2-month period lowered all major cardiovascular risk factors compared to a placebo. Blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose were reduced, endothelial function was improved, skin microcirculation was enhanced, and C-reactive protein dramatically decreased by 52.1%.

This supplement comes in a powder that is mixed with water, creating an isotonic solution that is consumed on an empty stomach. Don’t worry…it tastes like grape juice! The science behind this form of supplementation is that the nutrition is highly bioavailable and immediately absorbed into the body, bypassing the need for high amounts of stomach acid or digestive enzymes. It is reported that some tablet supplements are only 10-40% absorbed compared to 90-95% absorption for isotonic supplements. In a 2009 study published in Phytotherapy Research, they found that the isotonic OPC-3 compared to the tablet OPC-3 significantly accelerated the bioavailability of flavonoids. At 10-minutes post-consumption, the isotonic OPC-3 significantly decreased the subjects’ reactive oxygen species six times greater than the tablet form and it remained significantly greater throughout a four hour period.

This safe, highly effective antioxidant supplement may provide numerous benefits to your health. Ask one of our clinicians about OPC-3 at your next visit and find out if it may be an appropriate supplement for you!  Call us at 410-448-6361 to schedule your next appointment or ask questions.

References:

1. Cesarone MR, Di Renzo A, Errichi S, Schonlau F, Wilmer JL & Blumenfeld J. (2008) Improvement in circulation and in cardiovascular risk factors with a proprietary isotonic bioflavonoid formula OPC-3. Angiology. 59(4), 408-414.

2. Cesarone MR, Gross MG, Di Renzo A, Errichi S, Schonlau F, Wilmer JL & Blumenfeld J. (2009). Accelerated antioxidant bioavailability of OPC-3 bioflavonoids administered as isotonic solution. Phytother Res. 23(6), 775-777.