OneLife’s most difficult to spell and pronounce product is also one of its most popular. It became so over a decade ago and hasn’t looked back. The product: Proanthocyanidins. Which is actually the name of a group of compounds found in specific plants, which have scientifically shown to possess health benefits.

It began with a phenomenon known as the ‘French Paradox’. Someone clever noticed that even though the average Frenchman smoked, ate copious amounts of butter and other ‘fats’, he was healthier than the average American. Science then stepped in to attempt a logical answer.

One piece to the puzzle seemed to lie in the fact that the average Frenchman also drank quite a bit more wine than the average American – and he did so daily! Turned out not to be the alcohol itself (much to the disappointment of many Americans) – but the grapes from which it was made. These grapes, especially the red ones, contained a group of phytochemicals, known as – PROANTHOCYANIDINS. These compounds, science has since taught us, are a group of very strong anti-oxidants.

Quick review: Anti-oxidants is the name given to a group of compounds that ‘attack and destroy’ free radicals. Free radicals are the ‘bad guys’ that have been linked to everything from cancer and diabetes, to macular degeneration. We also know that EVERYONE’S body is constantly producing free radicals. You can ‘get’ them from just breathing.

We were first introduced to the primary anti-oxidants: Vitamins A, C, and E. Then came proanthocyandins (the primary sources of these compounds are grape seed and pine bark extracts). To help us understand their free- radical fighting powers, scientists explained them to us in familiar terms: ‘Proanthocyanidins are 20 times more powerful Vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E”. Wow – that seemed almost miraculous in nature.

Since their introduction, these compounds have stayed in the news, making headlines as researchers continue to study their health benefits. Their connection to heart health was the first news worthy information we received. A recent study conducted by researchers at the UC Davis School of Medicine has furthered this cardiovascular health connection; concluding that adults may want to add grape seed extract to their supplement routine to help lower their blood pressure. Participants in this study who were given 150 mg of grape seed extract saw a drop of 12 mm in their systolic pressure and an 8mm drop in diastolic pressure.

Most recently, Proanthocyanidins have also garnered attention for their anti-inflammatory properties. Published in the Journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, their results of a clinical study from the University of Wurzburg, Germany worked with pine bark extract. These researchers realized significant results with its effects on joint pain!

The participants taking the pine bark extract experienced a 23% drop in the pain associated with their arthritis. Additionally, participants reported less soreness and 75% fewer muscle cramps as compared to those taking a placebo. This study also looked at how quickly the pine bark became effective. Thirty minutes after taking the pine bark extract, blood samples were taken, showing its effectiveness. with noted expectation we look forward to reading more encouraging research results showing the health benefits of pine bark and grape seed extracts. The cardiovascular benefits are especially encouraging, with heart disease our #1 killer.

The Baby Boomer generation, now nearing the years of their life when heart disease becomes more prevalent and joint pain begins to require more attention. They may want to consider making OneLife’s Proanthocyanidin formula a part of their daily supplement routine.* Combining both the pine bark extract and grape seed extract into one effective capsule makes this formula a much sought after selection.