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.
