Grape Seed Extract which is high in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC’s or PCO’s) is powerful antioxidant which can reduce the damage done by free radicals, strengthen and repair connective tissue, and promote enzyme activity. OPC’s can also help moderate allergic and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine production.

Antioxidants
Antioxidants are important protectors of health because they provide electrons that neutralize "free radicals"--molecules with unpaired electrons which have the power to cause degenerative and life-threatening diseases.

Free radicals are produced from normal oxygen metabolism within the body, and from exposure to certain chemicals, environmental pollutants, sunlight, radiation, burns, cigarette smoke, drugs, alcohol, viruses, bacteria, parasites, dietary fats, and more. The antioxidants known today are vitamins C and E, beta carotene, selenium, bioflavonoids and bioflavanols.

The PCO Bioflavanoid Complex
Bioflavanoids are natural plant components that strengthen and protect living tissue. "Proanthocyanidin" is one of the names used to describe a powerful bioflavonoid complex known as Procyanidolic Oligomers (PCO). "Pycnogenol" was the name originally given to this complex by Dr. Jacques Masquelier, the first to scientifically discover it and the first to patent an extraction process for it from the bark of maritime pine trees. "Pycnogenol" is now a trademarked name for PCO products extracted from pine bark.

PCO extracts have been scientifically studied and medically used in Europe since the 1950s. Scientifically documented, observed benefits include:
• Enhanced capillary strength and vascular function, which helps the heart and decreases: PMS problems, bruising, edema from injury or trauma, varicose veins, leg swelling and retinopathy.
• Enhanced immune resistance.
• Increased peripheral circulation, improving vision.
• Reduced adverse allergic and inflammatory responses.
• Reduction in skin aging and loss of elasticity.

The PCO bioflavanoid complex was recently discovered to be 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E as an antioxidant. The advantages of PCO include:
• It is bioavailable and immediately absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream.
• It is distributed to virtually every organ and tissue, and remains in the body for up to 72 hours.
• Not only does it neutralize free radicals themselves, but it also conserves and regenerates vitamins C and E. Vitamin E is a powerful free radical scavenger, but it is quickly used up. PCO and vitamin C work synergistically to regenerate vitamin E.
• PCO is one of the few antioxidants that crosses the blood/brain barrier to protect neural tissue.
• PCO extracts have been proven to be completely safe.

Sources of PCO
The PCO complex is found in many types of foods, but usually only in extremely small amounts. Some of the best sources of PCO are seasonal fruits such as grapes, blueberries, cherries and plums. The PCO is found mainly in the peels, skins, or seeds. Food processing and storage is detrimental to PCO availability.

The PCO bioflavanoid complex can also be found in the barks of the lemon tree and the Landis pine tree, as well as the leaves of the hazelnut tree. The highest known concentration (95%) of the PCO complex is found in grape seeds, and the second-highest (80-85%) in pine bark.
Anti-Inflammatory

One of the first benefits of PCO observed by doctors as early as 1950 was its anti-inflammatory action. This is produced in part by the antioxidant effect, and by inhibiting the release and synthesis of certain compounds that promote inflammation, such as histamine, serine protease, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. PCO selectively binds to the connective tissue of joints, preventing swelling, helping heal damaged tissue, and lessening pain.

Anti-Histamine
The anti-histamine action of PCO is mediated by an inhibiting effect on the enzyme histidine decarboxylase which is responsible for the production of histamine. This is enhanced by PCO's ability to block hyaluronidase, the enzyme that facilitates the release of histamine into body tissues.

Anti-Allergic
This action is related to the antihistamine effect, as well as PCO's ability to strengthen cell membranes of basophils and mast cells, which contain the allergic chemicals, thus preventing over-reaction or hypersensitivity to pollens and food allergens. Many allergy sufferers have reported significant relief using grape seed extract.

Anti-Ulcer
Ulcers induced or aggravated by stress are known to be related to excessive secretion of histamine in the stomach lining. PCOs help heal ulcers by reducing histamine secretion and by binding to and protecting connective tissue in mucous membranes.

Cardiovascular Disease
Experimental studies have recently discovered that oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a key factor leading to hardening of the arteries and heart disease. The antioxidant effect of Vitamin E has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of this oxidation—and PCO has been shown to be 50 times more potent than vitamin E. PCO has also been shown to prevent the stickiness of blood platelets that can lead to blood clots and strokes. Patients taking grape seed extract PCO have reported reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Recent studies have shown that drinking wine has a protective effect against heart disease (considered the solution to the mystery of how the French population can indulge in a high-fat diet and have one of the world's lowest incidences of heart disease). And in February of 1995, a study published in "Circulation," the journal of the American Heart Association, showed that six glasses of grape juice were as effective as two glasses of wine in preventing heart disease. This study offers convincing evidence that PCO from grapes, rather than the alcohol, provide wine's protective benefits to the circulatory system.

Cancer Prevention
Although not a cure for cancer, experimental evidence has been available for a long time showing that antioxidants greatly reduce the incidence of all types of cancer. One study showed that the risk of developing cancer is 11.4 times greater for those with low levels of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium. PCO is a more potent antioxidant, and also protects cellular DNA from oxidative damage and cell mutations which can lead to cancer.

Teeth and Gums
Dentists and their patients have reported that PCO provides healing and preventive benefits to the teeth and gums, evidently through its anti-inflammatory effects, free radical deactivation, and connective tissue protection.

Eyes
Clinical studies have shown that antioxidants can halt cataract progression. PCO has a strong affinity for the portion of the retina that is responsible for visual acuity. It prevents free radical damage and reinforces the collagen structures of the retina. In clinical trials of patients with various types of retinal disease, including macular degeneration, all patients given PCO showed significant improvement following therapy. Health professionals monitoring the effects of PCO have reported that it also has helped in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma.

Skin Care
PCO products help protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation damage that leads to wrinkles and skin cancer. Because it stabilizes collagen and elastin, PCO can help improve the elasticity and youthfulness of the skin. PCO strengthens the connective tissue of the skin and fat chambers. People taking grape seed extract PCO have noticed that it helps tonify their skin and reduce cellulite, stretch marks, and old scars. There is speculation that cellulite may be a sign of bioflavanoid deficiency.

Nervous System
Some physicians have reported that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have improved while taking PCO. MS is a syndrome of progressive destruction and hardening of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves. Current research indicates that MS may be caused by an allergic or autoimmune reaction. Many studies have demonstrated that patients with MS have reduced activity levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.

The ability of PCO to reduce the progressive symptoms of MS may be due to its potent antioxidant and anti-allergic qualities. Plus, PCO has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it may protect the brain's nervous tissue from oxidation. This effect may explain why patients taking PCO often report improved mental clarity.

Lungs
Asthma and emphysema have also been found to benefit from the use of PCOs. Asthma is largely caused by an allergic reaction within the bronchial tubes that leads to bronchial constriction and excessive mucous excretion. Due to its ability to inhibit histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, PCO has been found effective in the treatment of asthma.

Grape seed extract PCO has also been found to reduce the coughing, wheezing, weakness, mucous and recurring respiratory infections usually associated with emphysema. Apparently, PCO reduces the inflammation and damage to the air sacs of emphysema patients.