Can
you take OPC-3 or any other of the Isotonix products in soda,
juice, coffee, etc., rather than water?
What is OPC-3?
OPC-3 is a natural food supplement that is
made up of a combination of three very powerful bioflavonoids
known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins, referred to as OPC. They
are grape seed, red wine, and pine bark extracts.
What is a bioflavonoid?
Bioflavonoids are complex organic plant compounds
found mostly in fruits and vegetables. They function as a
co-factor or helper to the body's immune response to inflammation,
allergy, and infection.
What makes OPC-3 different from other pycnogenol
products?
OPC-3 offers three rich sources of OPC that
are rated highest in total polyphenol content averaging 92%. It is
totally bioavailable, water-soluble and delivered the way nature
intended it to be, in an isotonic solution. With the Isotonix
formulation, this product is in position to be absorbed within
five minutes. This combination makes OPC-3 the most
powerful natural free radical scavenger, anti-aging, and
anti-oxidant product yet discovered.
Is OPC-3 safe?
Absolutely! OPC had been used for over twenty years
throughout Europe. Extensive studies were conducted and laboratory
testing revealed no evidence for human toxicity, allergic
reactions, birth defects, or carcinogenesis.
How long does OPC remain in the body?
About three days. OPC circulates through bodily
fluids and is held in the collagen for approximately 72 hours
before it is gradually eliminated through urine and
perspiration.
Why should everyone take OPC-3?
Free radical damage or oxidative stress is real.
Everyone is subject to it. Free radicals have been linked directly
to premature aging, circulatory disorders, liver cirrhosis,
arteriosclerosis and more. If you do not have adequate protection
from free radicals, you could very likely age faster and
experience health problems you could have avoided. OPC is the most
powerful natural free radical neutralizer and antioxidant
discovered and you get the best of all OPC in OPC-3. This
product should be taken for life. Laboratory studies have shown
that proanthocyanidins enhance the effectiveness of vitamin E some
50 times as an antioxidant and some 20 times more for vitamin C.
OPC-3 inhibits enzymes that cause inflammation. It reduces
histamine production. It restores capillary integrity and improves
circulation, making it a little easier for each cell to get the
food it needs. For females, it has been known to help correct
abnormal menstrual bleeding and cramps.
Why should I be afraid of free radicals?
Free radicals cause oxidative damage to cells and
tissues. Damage caused by free radicals contributes to premature
aging, the development of stiff joints and wrinkled skin. Free
radical damage also plays a part in the degenerative diseases we
associate with aging, such as liver cirrhosis, atherosclerosis and
others.
Where does the grape seed extract in the OPC-3
come from?
Grape seed extract comes from two companies in the
USA and Europe. You can imagine that anywhere there are grapes
there will be proanthocyanidin/bioflavonoid extraction facility.
Due to the proprietary nature of our business, the names of the
companies cannot be given out; however, we have found them to be
reputable and have found that they have significant quality
control procedures in place. The extraction process is different
from the process used by the Pycnogenol producers, Horphag Ltd.
The process involves isolating, drying and powdering grape seeds;
extracting the proanthocyanidins using a combination of
pressurized hot water, butanol and acetone; concentrating and
drying the compounds. The specific variety of grape is not known,
but it is likely that a spectrum of red grape varieties is used
for extraction. Remember that it is the extraction process that is
selective for flavonoide and can be used on material from a
variety of plant sources (pine bark, bilberries, citrus
rinds).
Is there an elemental analysis of OPC-3?
We do not have an elemental analysis on
OPC-3, although the individual extracts are checked for the
presence of heavy metals on a lot-to-lot basis. OPC-3 is
not a significant source of minerals, but a complex mixture of
literally scores of polyphenolic compounds.
Is there alcohol or sulfite in OPC-3 from the Red
Wine Extract?
The red wine extract that is used in Isotonix
OPC-3 is a completely non-alcoholic product. The extract is
made from the skin of grapes used to make red wine, but the
crushed grapes are not allowed to undergo fermentation. Therefore,
ethyl alcohol is never formed and does not have to be removed.
"Red wine" extract is an inaccurate use of words. Also, alcohol
evaporates on exposure to air. Since OPC-3 is a dried
product, it cannot contain alcohol. Sulfites are usually added as
a preservative for finished wine. Sulfite is not added to the
initial grape crush or at any stage of the extraction process.
Are chemicals used in processing OPC-3?
Water, butanol, and acetone are used in the
extraction process. They are completely evaporated during
processing.
Does OPC-3 contain beta-carotene?
No.
Does OPC-3 contain caffeine?
No, it does not, but it may contain caffeic acid,
which is a low molecular weight phenolic compound. Caffeic acid is
isolated along with other polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids
including proanthocyanidins. Caffeine is not an antioxidant (it
does not transfer electrons or hydrogens to electron-hungry free
radicals), but caffeic acid does have documented antioxidant
properties. Coffee (fruit seeds) and tea (Camellia sinensis
leaves) are likely to contain both caffeine and caffeic acid.
Can OPC-3 be taken with
corticosteroids?
Yes, but it is important to understand
when to take these products. When you have an inflammatory
condition that is being treated with corticosteroids (injections
or tablets), you should allow at least 4 to 6 weeks while on this
therapy to understand what effects these drugs have on
inflammation. If you begin to take OPC-3, this supplement could
confound the results that are being achieved with corticosteroid
treatment. Your doctor will be able to more fully assess the
impact of corticosteroids on your inflammation if you do not take
OPC-3 at the same time, at least for the first month or so. The
proanthocyanidins are not steroids, and they do not exhibit the
same mechanism of action as corticosteroids on inflammatory white
blood cells and other cell types. However, they are antioxidants
and are able to scavenge oxygen and nitrogen free radicals, which
cause considerable cell and molecular damage. Proanthocyanidins
can inhibit the tissue-remodeling enzymes secreted by inflammatory
white blood cells and minimize tissue disruption. Additionally,
the proanthocyanidins have been found to inhibit an enzyme called
inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) that generates nitric oxide
and contributes to damage associated with uncontrolled
inflammation. The proanthocyanidins are also known to block the
synthesis and secretion of histamine which can cause tissue
swelling associated with inflammation. When you start taking
OPC-3, please inform your doctor.
What kind of side effects can we expect during
the first weeks of using OPC-3?
Reported complaints - especially with saturation
dosing - include headache, gastric discomfort, generalized
itching, ankle swelling, facial flushing, and occasional
dizziness. These are usually mild, self-limiting and subside
within a day or two.
Can you take OPC-3 or any other of the Isotonix
products in soda, juice, coffee, etc., rather than water?
It is not recommended. In order to keep the products
in an isotonic form and to achieve the maximum delivery time it
needs to be taken on an empty stomach with 2 oz. of water per
capful. To mix the products with anything else slows down the
delivery time; also the percentage of uptake may be
lessened.