Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC's) have been shown to be significantly more powerful as antioxidants than vitamin C & E. OPC's address oxygen free radicals caused by processed foods, radiation, exercise, stress, pollution, chlorine treated water and more. In fact, simply breathing, metabolizing food and generating Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to fuel enzymatic reactions creates oxygen free radicals.
Three of the most powerful OPC's are grape seed extract, pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) and red wine extract. These OPC's have been found to be 20 times more effective than Vitamin C and 50 times more effective than Vitamin E in antioxidant defense.
Nitrogen free radicals can be counteracted with foods or supplements high in ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) values. ORAC value is a standard for measuring antioxidant content of foods, plants and nutraceuticals. Foods that demonstrate high ORAC values are dark greenor brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as kale, spinach, brussel sprouts, prunes, cranberries and blueberries.
Free radical damage is thought to be a major contributor of premature aging, cardiovascular disease, joint stiffness, inflammation, arthritis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, loss of skin elasticity and onset of cancer.
Some free radical activity is necessary to supply biochemical functioning for our cells to produce energy and carry out biological processes. However excessive free radical activity can cause oxidative stress resulting in cell damage.
OPC's and ORAC's can help the body counteract oxidation by increasing levels of antioxidants in the bloodstream. The most potent OPC's are not readily available in foods therefore some supplementation becomes necessary.
My recommendation for OPC's and ORAC is the Isotonix OPC-3 which contains all three of the most potent and water soluble and easily absorbed nutrients in an isotonic solution and Isotonix Maximum ORAC which contains 3000 ORAC units per serving also in an isotonic solution.
