|
|
|
|
|
|
Grape Skin & Seed (GSA-400)
Each bottle contains 100 Vegetarian Capsules
|
|
| Order Information |
|
Item Number: SP 14
Price:
$26.00
Quantity:
|
|
|
|
High concentrations of reservatol (found to have
anti-clotting effects and an ability to reduce fat deposits in animal lives)
has been identified in grape skins and seeds.
Powerful antioxidant factors called proanthocyanidins
(OPC's) and polyphenols are found in large supply
in the skins and seeds of grapes. These antioxidant factors are believed to
prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol (a major factor in heart disease). It is
because of this strong antioxidant effect---some reports say 20 to 50 times
stronger than vitamins C and E---that this result is accomplished.
Grape skins exceed polyphenol levels in grape seed
and pine bark products. They contain many polyphenols,
particularily tannic, which has been found to be a potent anti-viral. Also,
phenolic compounds found in grape skins are potent anti-oxidants considered to
be cancer fighting and protective agents. Grape skins also contain
other flavonoids, such as quercitin, not found in other
products.
Proanthocyanidins have also been shown in studies
and clinical practice to be of value in: sports injuries and resulting
inflammation, capillary fragility, visual disturbances, brain sluggishness
(one of the few nutrients that cross the blood/brain barrier), and helping to
improve skin elasticity with its superior antioxidant factions.
GSA-400 is free of wheat, eggs, corn, soy, yeast, and citrus.
Each Capsule contains:
Grape Skin and Seed Extract--400mg
Containing: Polyphenols--100mg
Proanthocyandidins--40mg.
Suggested Use: 2-3 capsules daily, or as directed by a health
care professional.
Further information on OPC's
Ologomeric Proanthocyadins (OPC's) derived from Grape Skin and
Seeds are a flacenol product developed by Prof. J. Masquelier, the same
researcher who developed OPC's from pine bark sources known as
Pycnogenol. The unique bioavailibility and potent free radical scavanging
properties make OPC's powerful antioxidants.
OPC's are flavanoids which impart the characteristic deep pigment
to many of the plants following hydrolysis (Bate-Smith reaction).
OPC's are specific mixtures of catechin and epi-catechin
oligomers differing in structure and chain lengths which range from monomers,
dimers, trimers, and polymers. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
analysis reveals that there is 95% of OPC's from grape seeds/skins
compared to 85% from pine bark.
In addition, other beneficial ingredients, primarily organic acids with
potent antioxidant effects e.g. taxifolin, gallic acid esters, caffeic acid,
frulic acid etc. are present in higher proportion in grape seeds/skins
compared with pine bark. This makes grape seeds/skins a more viable source of
OPC's.
Proanthocynadins (OPC's) are members of the bioflavanoid group of
which there are 40,000 registered in Chemical Abstracts. OPC's are
water soluable, non-toxic, non-mutagenic, non-antigenic, non-carcinogenic, and
highly bioavaible (Yu et al, 1987). OPC's are found in saliva within
one hour after ingestion (Laparra et al, 1978). In Europe OPC's have
been used for over 30 years without any reports of toxicity. The LD 50
(measure of toxicity) is 3 grams per kilogram of body weight (US Patent, 1987).
Uses of OPC's:
1. Antioxidant-
OPC's are powerful antioxidants. The oft quoted in-vitro
comparisons reveal that OPC's are 50 times more potent than vitamin E.
This test measures the ability of compounds to scavange free redicals such as
DPPH (Uchida et-al, 1987). Comparison with vitamin C showed OPC's to be
a 20 times more powerful free radical quencher (US Patent, 1987).
In addition, OPC's are generally acknowledged to be potent
vitamin C synergists and vica-versa. OPC's are powerful scavengers of
hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and reduce UV-B radition-induced cytotoxicity
of fibroblasts and inhibit lipid peroxidation.
Finally, OPC's antioxidant effects can prevent or slow the
accumulation of cholesterol that is due to the modification or oxidation of
LDL.
2. Blood Vessels
It is well acknowledged that bioflanoids are important for the healthy
functioning of blood vessels, especially in the presence of minute quantities
of vitamin C. Recently, OPC's have been shown to have an even more
potent effect on capillary health. It has long been known that capillary
resistance is pathologically decreased in significant proportion of
hypertensive patients with consequent higher incidence of strokes and retinal
hemorrhage (Griffith and Lindower, 1944). Low capillary resistance is the
hallmark of hypertension with consequent increased capillary fragility and
permeability resulting in "leaky" vessels. The consequences of this in
increased bruising, petechia, strokes, apoplexy, retinal hemorrhage,
hemorrhoids, varicose veins and complications of diabetes. OPC's are
know to raise the capillary resistance and reuce capillary permeability
(Gabor, 1994).
A single milligram supplement of OPC's increased capillary
resistance by 140% and vascular sensitivity was improved 82% (Fein-Haake,
1975).
3. Atherosclerosis
The mechanism of atherosclerosis is thought to result from injury to the
layer of endotheial cells present in the luminal surface of the blood vessel
wall. Such injury distrubs local vascular homestatis resulting in platelet
deposition, aggregation, and release factors which promote smooth muscle
proliferation and eventual fibrosis. The damaged endothelium becomes permeable
to lipoproteins (LDL) macrophages as well as accumulated cholesterol and
develops into foam cells. The atherosclerotic plaque consists of lipds,
cabohydrates, fibrous tissue and calcium deposits. Studies have shown that
OPC's are protective against early atherosclerosis (DeForrest et-al, 1978;
Markle et -al, 1975).
4. Inflammation
The inflammatory process is a series of events during which free
radicals are produced including singlet oxygen, superoxides, andhydroxyl
radicals. OPC's significantly decreased inflammation and odema induced
by serotonin, prostaglandins or carrageenin. The decrease is dose dependent
(Gabor and Razga, 191). The mechanism of action is thought to be inhibitive of
lipooxygenase and cycloxygenase.
5. Skin
Collagen is the main skin protein responsible for skin texture. OPC's
have high affinity to collagen and elastin and are thought to reduce free
radical attack of elasteses and collagenases. Application of OPC's in
cosmetics are widely reported (Tixier et al, 1984; Kuttan et-al, 1981).
6. Brain
OPC's water solubility and high bioavailability renders them to
readily cross the blood brain barrier. In addition to inproving circulation,
OPC'S strengthen blood vessels and decrease capillary permeability thereby
reducing the incidence of stroke (Uchida et-al,1987).
|
|
All Prices in US Dollars
|
|
|
|