Pro’s Do Double
Duty
Proanthocyanidins Studied for
Heart and Arthritis Benefits
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 8
mm 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. |
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