Original price €21,90 - Original price €21,90

Original price €21,90

€21,90

€21,90 - €21,90

Current price €21,90

| /

OPC 95 · 120 capsules

3 reviews

GN Laboratories

Contains a highly effective blend of antioxidants from natural sources that protect your body from the damaging effects of free radicals and whose ...
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Original price €21,90 - Original price €21,90

Original price €21,90

€21,90

€21,90 - €21,90

Current price €21,90

| /

Grape seed extract is a supplement produced by drying and pulverizing grape seeds. Grape seeds are rich in antioxidants including phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs). In fact, grape seeds are one of the best known sources of proanthocyanidins (1, 2). OPC is the nutrient of grape seeds. Vino OPC is able to provide the body with important bioactive substances. It contains OPC - oligomeric procyanidins - which are among the polyphenols found in grape seeds. The grape seed is a small miracle of nature. Not only does it contain vitamins and many vital trace elements such as iron, manganese and zinc, it is also one of the few foods with a significant content of oligomeric procyanidins (OPC for short). OPC belongs to the group of flavonols (a flavonoid subclass). Flavonols, or flavonoids, are secondary plant substances that are used by plants as defense substances against harmful external, environmental stresses.

They serve to regulate growth and are necessary for the formation of colorants. The term secondary is used to distinguish them from the primary plant substances (carbohydrates, proteins, fats). OPC has a pronounced affinity for connective tissue and protects our organism from environmentally aggressive harmful substances, the so-called "free radicals". As an antioxidant or protective factor against these free radicals, OPC is 20 times more effective than vitamin C and 50 times more effective than vitamin E. By binding closely with and adhering well to connective tissue (collagen), OPCs maintain the elasticity of the vascular walls and protect them from fragility. However, they are by no means of secondary importance due to their health-promoting, antioxidant properties. On the contrary, they are becoming increasingly popular with health-conscious people. Due to their high antioxidant content, grape seed extract can help prevent disease and protect against oxidative stress, tissue damage and inflammation (3).

The effect of OPC

OPC activates and multiplies the effect of vitamin C and thus influences our metabolism. It can increase the effect of vitamin C up to tenfold. OPC has an antioxidant effect and therefore has a positive impact on our immune system. OPC is water-soluble and can be absorbed by our body in a very short time. It can be detected in the blood after just a few minutes and is distributed throughout the body, including the skin and hair. In all scientific studies to date, no side effects have been identified. OPC is not produced by the body itself and must be supplied in the form of food or food supplements. OPC is a grape seed extract that increases the elasticity of the connective tissue and strengthens the tissue. This makes OPC a very important nutrient for blood vessels, veins, tendons and the skin. It promotes the blood supply to the brain and relieves the leg vessels. It also enhances the effect of vitamins and prolongs their effectiveness, and some vitamins only develop their full effect with OPC.

OPC is immediately absorbed by the body after ingestion and remains stored for up to 72 hours and even crosses the blood-brain barrier. Memory performance could also be enhanced by improved blood circulation and cell supply in the brain. The plant-based OPC, which acts against oxidative stress and free radicals, is up to eighteen times more effective than vitamin C and up to fifty times more effective than the cell protection vitamin E. OPC thus helps the body to protect itself against aggressive free radicals and supports the elasticity of blood vessels throughout the body. This counteracts signs of ageing such as wrinkles and decreasing stress tolerance. Collagen in the body is a sign of good health and grape seed extract is said to help build collagen.

For this reason, OPC has been used successfully in cosmetics for years. OPC also helps to simplify the natural build-up of collagen in the body. As OPC can bind with proteins, it attaches itself to collagen and elastin, both of which are building blocks of the blood vessel walls, and thus also protects the blood vessels, among other things. By binding to them - which vitamin C is unable to do - OPC also activates their synthesis and metabolism, thus preventing the vessel walls from being destroyed prematurely.

Potential health benefits of grape seed extract

Grape seed extract can lower blood pressure

Several studies have investigated the effects of grape seed extract on high blood pressure. A review of 16 studies involving a total of 810 subjects with high blood pressure or at risk for high blood pressure found that taking 100 to 2,000 mg of grape seed extract per day significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 6.08 mmHg and 2.8 mmHg, respectively. The greatest improvements were observed in subjects under 50 years of age with obesity or metabolic disorders. The most promising results were observed with lower doses in the range of 100 to 800 mg per day for 8 to 16 weeks (4). Another study of 29 adults with high blood pressure found that taking 300 mg of grape seed extract per day reduced systolic blood pressure by 5.6% and diastolic blood pressure by 4.7% after 6 weeks (5).

Summary: Grape seed extract may help lower blood pressure, especially in middle-aged people and those who are overweight.

Grape seed extract can improve blood flow

Some studies suggest that grape seed extract could improve blood flow. In an eight-week study of 17 healthy postmenopausal women who took 400 mg of grape seed extract per day, blood-thinning effects were observed that could potentially reduce the risk of blood clots (6). Another study with 8 healthy young women investigated the effects of a single 400 mg dose of proanthocyanidin from grape seed extract immediately after 6 hours of sitting. It was shown to reduce leg swelling and edema by 70% (7). In the same study, 8 other healthy young women who took 133 mg of proanthocyanidin from grape seed extract daily for 14 days experienced 40% less leg swelling after 6 hours of sitting.

Summary: Grape seed extract has been shown to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots, which could help with circulatory disorders.

Grape seed extract could reduce oxidative damage

Elevated levels of (bad) LDL cholesterol are a known risk factor for heart disease. The oxidation of LDL cholesterol significantly increases this risk and plays a central role in arteriosclerosis - the build-up of fatty plaques in the arteries. Several studies have shown that grape seed extract supplements can reduce the oxidation of LDL caused by a high-fat diet (8, 9, 10). Some studies on humans have shown similar results (11, 12). In a study of 8 subjects on a high-fat diet, 300 mg of grape seed extract inhibited the oxidation of fat in the blood, while an increase in oxidation of 150% was observed in subjects who did not consume grape seed extract (13).

In another study, a 13.9% reduction in oxidized LDL cholesterol was observed in 61 healthy adults after taking 400 mg of grape seed extract. However, a similar study was not able to replicate these results (5, 11). Another study of 87 patients undergoing heart surgery found that taking 400 mg of grape seed extract the day before surgery significantly reduced oxidative stress. For this reason, it is likely that grape seed extract may protect against future heart damage (14).

Summary: Grape seed extract may help reduce the risk of heart disease by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and reducing the oxidation of heart tissue during periods of stress.

Grape seed extract could increase collagen levels and improve bone strength

Increased consumption of flavonoids may improve collagen synthesis and bone formation. As a rich source of flavonoids, grape seed extract could therefore help to increase bone density and strength. In fact, studies conducted in animals have concluded that adding grape seed extract to a diet low, moderately high or high in calcium can increase bone density, mineral content and strength (15, 16). Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that results in severe inflammation and destruction of bones and joints. Animal studies have shown that grape seed extract can suppress bone destruction in inflammatory autoimmune arthritis (17, 18, 19). Grape seed extracts have also been shown to reduce pain, bone spurs and joint damage in mice with osteoarthritis, as well as increase collagen levels and reduce the loss of articular cartilage (20). Despite promising results from animal studies, human studies are still lacking.

Summary: Animal studies show promising results regarding the effect of grape seed extract on arthritic complaints and the promotion of collagen formation.

Grape seed extract could support the brain during ageing

It is believed that the combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids may delay or reduce the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's (21). Gallic acid - one of the components of grape seed extract - has been shown in animal studies to inhibit the formation of fibrils by beta-amyloid proteins (22). Clusters of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Animal studies have also found that grape seed extract can prevent memory loss and improve cognitive status, as well as reduce antioxidant levels in the brain, brain lesions and amyloid clusters (23, 24, 25, 26). A 12-week study of 111 healthy older adults found that 150 mg of grape seed extract per day improved attention, language and short- and long-term memory (27). However, human studies on the effects of grape seed extract in people with pre-existing cognitive deficits and reduced memory performance are still lacking.

Summary: Grape seed extract shows the potential to reduce many degenerative characteristics of declining brain performance.

Grape seed extract may improve kidney function

The kidneys are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage, which is often irreversible. Studies conducted in animals have shown that grape seed extract can reduce kidney damage and improve kidney function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation-related damage (28, 29). In one study, 23 subjects diagnosed with chronic kidney failure were given 2 grams of grape seed extract per day for 6 months and their kidney values were compared to a placebo group. It was observed that the protein content of the urine decreased by 3% and the filtration of the kidneys improved by 9%. This means that the kidneys in the grape seed group were much better able to filter the urine than those in the placebo group (30).

Summary: Grape seed extract may provide protection against oxidative stress and inflammation and thus promote kidney health.

Grape seed extract could inhibit infectious growth

Grape seed extract shows promising antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies have shown that grape seed extract inhibits the growth of food-borne bacteria including Campylobacter and E. Coli, both of which are frequently responsible for food poisoning and stomach upset (31, 32). In laboratory studies, grape seed extract has been shown to inhibit 43 strands of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria (33). Candida is a common yeast-like fungus that can sometimes result in fungal infections. Grape seed extract is often used in traditional medicine to treat such fungal diseases. In one study, mice with vaginal fungal infections were given an intravaginal grape seed extract solution every other day for 8 days. The infection was inhibited after 5 days and disappeared after 8 days (34). Unfortunately, there are no human studies on the ability of grape seed extract to fight infections.

Summary: Grape seed extract could inhibit a range of microbes and provide protection against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, bacterial food poisoning and fungal infections.

Grape seed extract could reduce the risk of cancer

The causes of cancer are complex, but DNA damage is a key characteristic. A high intake of antioxidants such as flavonoids and proanthocyanidins has been associated with a reduced risk of a number of cancers (35). The antioxidant activity of grape seed extract has shown the potential to inhibit breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, liver cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer in human cell cultures in the laboratory (36, 37, 38, 39). Animal studies have also shown that grape seed extract can enhance the effects of different types of chemotherapy (40, 41).

Grape seed extract appears to protect against oxidative stress and liver toxicity, while promoting the targeted actions of chemotherapy on cancer cells (41, 42, 43). A review of 41 animal studies found that grape seed extract or proanthocyanidins can reduce cancer-induced toxicity and damage (42). However, it should be kept in mind that the anticancer and chemopreventive potential of grape seed extract and its proanthocyanidins may not necessarily be transferable to humans with cancer. This requires further human studies.

Summary: Grape seed extract has been shown to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells in laboratory studies. In animals, grape seed extract also appears to reduce chemotherapy-induced toxicity without adversely affecting treatment.

Grape seed extract could protect the liver

The liver plays an important role in detoxifying the body from harmful substances such as drugs, environmental toxins, alcohol and more. Grape seed extract appears to have a liver-protective effect. In an in vitro study, grape seed extract reduced inflammation, recycled antioxidants and protected against free radical damage under the influence of toxins (44, 45, 46). The liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a key indicator of liver toxicity, meaning that its levels rise when the liver is permanently damaged. In one study, 15 subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and resulting high ALT levels were given grape seed extract for 3 months. The liver enzymes were monitored monthly and the results were compared with the intake of 2 grams of vitamin C per day. After 3 months, the grape seed extract group experienced a 46% reduction in ALT levels, while only minor changes were observed in the vitamin C group (47).

Summary: Grape seed extract appears to protect the liver against drug-induced toxicity and damage.

Grape seed extract can accelerate wound healing and improve the appearance of the skin

Several studies conducted in animals have found that grape seed extract can support wound healing (48, 49). The results of some human studies are also promising. In one study, 35 healthy adults who had undergone minor surgery were given either a cream containing 2% grape seed extract or a placebo. The subjects who received the grape seed extract cream experienced complete wound healing after 8 days, while the placebo group took 14 days to heal.

These results are most likely due to the high levels of proanthocyanidins in the grape seed extract, which stimulate the release of growth factors in the skin (50). In another eight-week study of 110 healthy young men, a cream containing 2% grape seed extract improved the appearance of the skin, skin elasticity and sebum levels, which may help to reduce skin ageing (51).

Summary: Creams with grape seed extract appear to increase the amount of growth factors in the skin. This could accelerate wound healing and help reduce the signs of aging.

Grape seed extract could have positive effects on blood sugar levels

In a study, type 2 diabetics who followed a special diet or were taking blood sugar-lowering medication were given either 600 mg of grape seed extract per day or a placebo for 4 weeks. The grape seed extract significantly reduced markers of inflammation and high blood glucose levels, and post-meal blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the grape seed extract group (52). In another placebo-controlled study with 8 healthy volunteers, 100 and 300 mg of grape seed extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels after a high-carbohydrate meal compared to a high-carbohydrate meal without grape seed extract (53).

Summary: Grape seed extract appears to reduce the increase in blood glucose levels after a high-carbohydrate meal and may have a positive effect on blood glucose control.

Possible side effects of grape seed extract

Grape seed extract is generally considered safe and has few side effects. Doses of 300 to 800 mg per day for 8 to 16 weeks have been shown to be safe and well tolerated (4). However, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid grape seed extract as there is insufficient data regarding its safety in this group of people. Grape seed extract could lower blood pressure, thin the blood and increase blood flow, so people taking blood-thinning medication or blood pressure medication should be careful (4, 6, 7). In addition, grape seed extract could reduce iron absorption, improve liver function and affect drug metabolism (47, 54).

Conclusion

Grape seed extract is a supplement made from the seeds of grapes. It is an effective source of antioxidants - especially proanthocyanidins. The antioxidants contained in grape seed extract can help reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and tissue damage that can accompany chronic diseases. Supplementation with grape seed extract can have a positive effect on the health of the heart, brain, kidneys, liver and skin.

OPC

OPC 95 · 120 capsules