OPC-3™ is a powerful combination of plant derived bioflavonoids, know as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC's). It is made from a combination of grape seed, pine bark and red wine extracts in addition to bilberry and citrus extracts. These OPC's are super effective free radical neutralizers. They are not limited to being strong antioxidants, they are also crucial in their role in supporting the circulatory system and strengthening the capillaries. OPC-3 is a natural food supplement that should be taken for a lifetime.

HOW TO TAKE OPC-3

Each capful of OPC-3™ contains 125 milligrams of bioflavonoids, of which 75 milligrams are oligomeric proanthocyanidins in an isotonic-capable base. That means that the OPC-3™ active ingredients will be delivered in the highest concentration to the small intestine, where most absorption of nutrients occurs. To start using OPC-3™for its benefit as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger, take two level capfuls for every 150 pounds of body weight for the first seven days. This is referred to as the saturation dosage. Then, switch to a daily dosage of one capful, per 150 lbs. of body weight, as a maintenance dose. For example, if you weigh 190 pounds, you would take three servings of OPC-3™ per day for seven days, then switch to two servings per day for long-term health maintenance. Any excess of OPC-3™ will not be of any negative consequence, since OPC-3™ is non-toxic.

THE OPC-3™ ADVANTAGE

OPC-3™ contains a combination of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) from sources that include grape seed, red wine and pine bark  extracts. The grape seed extract is the superior source of OPCs, containing 92% of active ingredients over pine bark's 84% of active OPC ingredients.* The red wine extract contains flavonoids called leucocyanidins from the skin of red grapes. Leucocyanidins are bioflavonoids with powerful antioxidant properties crucial to their role in supporting the circulatory system. OPC-3™ also contains bilberry and citrus extracts, which are known to have effects of vision and histamine release, respectively. Together, this combination of OPC is superior to any OPC on the market in active ingredients and isotonic capability. This powerful formula will be delivered to your system the way nature intended it to be - in an isotonic solution that maximizes absorption. OPC-3™ has a pleasant natural grape flavor, is a vegetarian product, and mixes instantly when added to water. This product should be taken on an empty stomach for the fastest, most effective delivery of the active ingredient.

*Percentages established by D. Marie-Claude Dumon, University of Bordeaux, France  Pine bark reference to pycnogenol source.

LEARNING HOW OPC-3™ WORKS

Our bodies are made up of billions of molecules held together by electromagnetic forces. These chemical bonds are created with paired electrons. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have lost an electron and are unbalanced. Free radicals seek to replace the lost electron by randomly attacking nearby molecules and extracting desired electrons. One free radical can damage a million or more molecules in a chain reaction referred to as radical propagation, which leads to oxidative stress. Uncontrolled oxidation is very destructive.

It is analogous to effects we see in our environment, such as the rusting of metal, the rotting of meat, the browning of apples or the hardening of old rubber. Oxidation in our body by free radicals is thought to be responsible for premature aging, wrinkling of skin, hardening of arteries, stiffening of joints, formation of cataracts, the initiation of cancer and much more. We are constantly exposed to free radicals via such processes as antimicrobial activity by white blood cells and the absorption of chemical additives in our foods. Our ability to fight free radical damage effectively is compromised by our inadequate nutritional choices or diets that contain limited amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidant supplementation is necessary if we are unable to reduce our exposure to free radicals, but wish to counter their effect. OPCs should be taken in conjunction with foods or dietary supplements rich in vitamin C, vitamin e, beta-carotene, and selenium, to name a few antioxidants.

HISTORY OF OPC-3™

In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier was leading an expedition up the St. Lawrence River. Trapped by bad weather, Cartier and his crew were forced to survive on a ration of salted meat and biscuits. Cartier's crew began to suffer from severe deficiency of vitamin C and showed symptoms of scurvy. Many crewmembers died before the surviving members encountered a friendly Native American who saved most of their lives. He told them to make a tea from the bark and needles of the pine tree to cure their malady. They complied and, as a result, Cartier and many crewmembers survived.

Some 400 years later, Professor Jacques Masquelier of the University of Bordeaux, France, read a book by Cartier detailing their expedition. He concluded that pine bark not only contained some vitamin C, but obviously was a good source of bioflavonoids, whose effects are similar to those of vitamin C. Further studies and research revealed that the pine bark contained an array of proanthocyanidins complexes. These compounds were also found in a variety of plants, including grape seeds, cranberries, peanut skin, lemon tree bark and citrus rinds. Masquelier termed the active ingredients of the pine bark "pycnogenols", which today are referred to in the scientific community as oligomeric proanthocyanidins, or OPCs.

OPC'S OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECORD

OPCs have been used in Europe under medical supervision for over 30 years with no reports of adverse effects. Over one million people worldwide utilize these valuable bioflavonoids daily. OPCs have been tested time and time again for safety by conventional, scientific methods at leading research centers worldwide including the Pasteur Institute. OPCs have been found to be non-toxic, non-antigenic, non-teratogenic, non-mutagenic, and non-carcinogenic.