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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: What are
OPCs?
A: OPC is an abbreviation for "Oligomeric
ProanthoCyanidins", natural health supporting compounds found in plants. OPC's
are concentrated in fibrous parts of fruits and vegetables and are often
destroyed by cooking. OPC molecules are made of 2 or 3 individual monomer units
called flavanols linked together. They are colorless but turn into red pigments
when fruits ripen and leaves turn.
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Q: What is OPC-85?
A: MASQUELIER'S® and OPC-85® are two
registered trademarks of International Nutrition Company (INC) and are used to
designate Masquelier's patented
OPCs. The complete name is Masquelier's® OPC-85®. It is
protected by U.S. Patent No. 4,698,360 as a free radical scavenging antioxidant,
It contains extracts from both Maritime Pine bark and grape seeds. OPC-85® is the
result of 50 years of research by Dr. Masquelier.
Q: Who is Dr.
Masquelier?
A: Professor Emeritus, Doctor Jack Masquelier at the
University of Bordeaux, France is the world's lead- ing authority on OPC's.
Beginning to research them in 1947, he has spent his whole lifetime studying,
researching, refining and applying OPC's. He was the holder of many patents and
trademarks around the world and is truly a world class scientist, highly
respected by the scientific community.
Q: Are OPCs Bioavailable?
A: Dr. Masquelier's
research has proven the bioavailability of OPC's is maximal. He has shown that
proanthocyanidins in his OPC-85® are 100% bioavailable from the digestive tract
and travel through the bloodstream to every part of the body, especially those
rich in collagen.
Q: What are free radicals and antioxidants?
A:
Oxygen is essential for life, but can be very damaging to our cells when in its
super reactive "free radical" form. Free radicals evolve from faulty metabolism,
unhealthy diets, environmental pollution, tobacco smoke, stress, certain
chemicals and drugs, radiation and other sources. They attack all cells and
stimulate aging and the development of all degenera- tive diseases. Normally,
our cells are shielded from free radical damage by protective enzymes and
antioxi- dant nutrients. The antioxidants react with free radicals, protecting
our bodies against disease and degeneration. Scientists call this "free radical
scavenging."
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Q: Where do
OPCs come from?
A: They occur widely among the plant kingdom
(practically every plant) and have actually been shown by Dr. Masquelier to be
present in over 500 different varieties. They are most highly concentrated in
the more fibrous parts of plants such as bark, stems, leaves, seed and skins.
The most viable commercial sources today are grape seeds, an abundantly
available by-product of the grape industry and French Maritime Pine bark, a by-
product of the lumber industry in southern France.
Q: Are red or white grapes used?
A: OPC's are found
in red and white grapes alike. They are only extracted from seeds of grapes that
are used in the making of white wine. In the making of red wine, the seeds are
fermented with the grapes for about 14 days. During fermentation, the OPC's pass
from the seeds into the wine. Tn making white wine, the seeds are removed from
the juice before fermentation begins.
Q: Are they organically grown?
A: The volume of
organic grapes is far too small to supply the growing demand for OPC's. However,
there is no need for concern about residues of pesticides. Independent
laboratory analysis demonstrates that Masquelier's OPC-85 extracts from pine and
grape seeds are the safest in the industry.
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Q: Are Japanese and French grapes
different?
A: Of course, grapes are not different because of
their nationality. Some suppliers try to confuse consumers by using the term
"grape seed" or "grape skin" extract. These products do not necessarily contain
OPC's and should not be equated to Masquelier's® OPC-85®.
Q: What
percentages are the pine and grape contents?
A: Masquelier's®
OPC-85® contains proanthocyanidins from both grape seeds and Maritime Pine Bark.
Taking into account economies of scale, seasonal variations in OPC content of
grapes and pine, Masquelier's® OPC-85® blend ensures a consistent and maximum
content of proanthocyanidins and their different precursors. The actual
percentages are proprietary, but the "best of both" is guaranteed as well as the
most efficacious and economic balance.
Q: Are
any harmful solvents used?
A: To extract OPC's on a large scale,
water is used as well as one organic solvent. During the process, the solvent is
removed to a level far below required limits for health standards. Masquelier's®
OPC-85® is also cleared of any by-products of the solvent during the process.
Solvent residues are removed to minute levels of no more than 1 to 5 parts per
million (almost undetectable) that have no health consequences whatsoever.
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