How to use sunscreen in summer? What is the real king of antioxidants? How to supplement OPC?

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More than 400 years ago, a Frenchman named Jacques Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence Bay.

During the winter of 1534, when explorers were stranded on the Quebec peninsula due to a glacier, there was a rapid outbreak of scurvy due to a lack of fruit and vegetables, and half the team died.

If they hadn’t met a Native American, they would have been wiped out: The Native American recommended one, made from the bark and needles of the Anneda pine tree tea.

Drinking this tea, the team recovered from a life-threatening vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) in just a few days.

Today, it is known that the Anneda pine tree contains only a small amount of vitamin C, so what cured the sailor of scurvy?

It’s actually something called flavonols, which potentiates the effects of vitamin C.

It was this discovery that brought one of the “best antioxidants” into view…

OPC——oligomeric proanthocyanidins

In order to protect itself from oxidation, decay, plants peel (protected from external influences) and seeds > (protect the next generation), produce flavonols.

French pharmacologist, Professor Jack Masquelier, studied which plants contained this flavonol during a visit to Canada and continued his research in France.

In 1947, he discovered how to extract this substance, and by 1950, what is known today as OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), was approved in France for drugs.

Masquelier found the highest concentrations of OPCs in Grape seed and coastal pine bark.

OPC stands for “oligomeric proanthocyanidins”, from the “polyphenols” family, which we also call “polyphenols” in our daily life. strong>Grape seed extract.

OPC is not a direct fruit extract, nor is it a single pure substance, but a series of substances similar to “polyphenols” or “vitamins” that are found in supplements in pure form form exists.

Therefore, they have many benefits for the skin, in addition to OPC, grape seed extract is also rich in vitamin E, linoleic acid and resveratrol.

Because of its very high content of antioxidants, grape seed extract may help prevent disease by preventing oxidative stress, tissue damage and inflammation.

Studies have shown that OPC is more effective than vitamin E and vitamin C in preventing free radicals.

OPC passes through the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach, is completely absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes, and then the substance reaches every organ of the tissue, even the skin, hair and nails.

OPC reaches peak blood levels in 45 minutes and works for 72 hours, while vitamins C and E, in 2 to 4 It will dissipate after an hour.

Red wine is made from red grapes with their skins and pits, so red wines have higher levels of OPCs than white wines, which may be the “French paradox” ” reasons why red wine can play a positive role.

The French paradox refers to the fact that French people who consume a lot of high-calorie, high-saturated-fat foods in their diets are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than English-speaking people. many.

However, people need to drink at least 2 liters of red wine to achieve high enough OPC levels, and too much alcohol can be harmful to health.

Therefore, it is necessary to give the body enough OPC in the form of regular dietary supplements, but few people do so, even though OPC has been recognized for decades .

OPC—The Radical Terminator

Grapes are a highly perishable fruit, and the vine protects the grapes from decaying too quickly while optimizing the transport of nutrients.

OPC, this colorless, bitter ingredient, has the same effect on cells, which is why it’s a best-in-class tool for anti-aging.

Active molecules (free radicals) in the body to protect itself from disease. Free radicals kill pathogens and viruses through the process of oxidation.

In today’s world, however, we are exposed to many factors that allow these free radicals to grow indefinitely, ultimately causing uncontrollable damage:

UV radiation;

aging;

Infection;

Chronic inflammation;

Lack of sleep;

Pressure;

Environmental toxins, drugs, alcohol;

These factors can lead to oxidative stress in the body, just like a bicycle, which rusts more when whipped by wind and rain than in the sun quick.

Thus, even healthy cells can age faster if they are exposed to too many aggressive free radicals.

These molecules loot wildly in the body, snatching electrons from other molecules, and the body uses enzymes to block free radicals, but there’s little these enzymes can do about so many free radicals.

That’s why we need outside help, antioxidants satisfy the greed of free radicals by releasing excess electrons to counteract molecular damage.

These antioxidants include enzymes, vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene.

Of course alsoThere is today’s protagonist OPC – nothing more powerful than this “radical killer“.

Because OPC is both a fat-soluble and a water-soluble antioxidant, it can neutralize a range of free radicals like other drugs.

In addition, OPC is 40 to 50 times stronger than vitamin E, 10 times stronger than vitamin A, and vitamin C is 18 times stronger..

Not only that, but it enhances the action of other important substances, such as vitamin C, which together with OPC can increase its activity by a factor of 10.

What are the benefits of OPC

Improves skin condition

Studies show that OPC can improve skin hydration and elasticity, protect against free radicals, can inhibit inflammation, and reduce Skin redness, pimples and acne.

In addition, OPC has been shown to heal injuries faster and more thoroughly, including through improved cell density, and mechanisms that accelerate wound contraction and closure.

Anti-aging effect

Polyphenols are also known as excellent binders for collagen fibers, they strengthen connective tissue, often help maintain skin elasticity, and are also used to strengthen Connective tissue, joints, arteries and other tissue forms.

OPC can repair unstable collagen, thereby reducing wrinkles by helping to bind amino acids, which are important for collagen and elastin production important.

Because there is less collagen in the skin, the less water the skin can store, and the skin becomes drier and more prone to wrinkles.

Fighting UV damage, a must for summer

Light-induced skin aging is the cause of wrinkles, speckled hyperpigmentation, and rough, less elastic skin in sun-exposed areas.

Research has shown that OPC can combat the harmful effects of UV radiation on our skin in a number of ways.

In a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, when 19 healthy volunteers took OPC extract for 14 days, natural skin protection increased by 75% .

OPC is a potent antioxidant that protects skin cells from oxidative stress, protects human melanocytes from UV radiation, and inhibits skin damage and melanin production potential.

Immunosuppression caused by UV radiation is associated with skin cancer risk, and in one study it was found that administration of OPC significantly inhibited the development of UV radiation-induced skin cancer, and reduced immunosuppression.

This finding, for the use of OPC, as a dietary supplement, chemoprevention in UV radiation-induced immunosuppression, and skin cancer development, has important meaning.

Further studies showed that OPC reduced the formation of sunburned skin cells and could reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis caused by multiple doses of UVB.

Increase concentration

Grape Seed OPC Extract, which improves cognitive performance and reduces symptoms of stress and depression, also Protect brain cells from oxidative damage.

The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids, also thought to may delay or reduce the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s .

Protect against pathogens

OPC inhibits many bacteria in vitro, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and inhibits foodborne bacterial diseases and fungal infections< /strong>, such as Candida.

Our daily nasal sprays, mouthwashes, bath products, and other personal care products contain OPC ingredients.

Many natural detergent brands also prefer to use natural grape seed extract as a blend of ingredients in their products to kill bacteria, rather than using synthetic chemicals.

Helps lose weight

OPC has been shown to help reduce fat storage and food intake, with one study showing that OPC can reduce food intake by 4% in overweight people

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Study leaders concluded that grape seeds may play an important role in weight management by reducing 24-hour food intake in normal to overweight individuals without dietary restrictions.

An animal study shows that OPC in grape seed reduces plasma triglycerides, free fatty acids, apolipoprotein B (apoB), low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and other types of cholesterol, while slightly increased HDL cholesterol.

Other studies have shown that oral administration of grape seed OPC extract significantly reduces plasma levels of triglycerides and apolipoprotein B.

In people with high cholesterol, the combination of chromium and OPC can significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL levels.

How to supplement OPC

OPC mainly exists in grape skins and grape seeds, but when we eat grapes, we generally like to spit out grape skins and grape seeds, and these foods are not recommended to be eaten directly.

It is not realistic to supplement OPC simply by eating grapes.

You can directly buy OPC supplements to eat; Grape Seed Capsules on the market are also available, but pay attention when choosing , What is the content of OPC or proanthocyanidins in one capsule.

It must be noted that grapeseed oil capsules must be distinguished, because the main component of grapeseed oil is linoleic acid, and the linoleic acid content reaches 70% % or more, while the content of proanthocyanidins is lower.

The recommended daily dose of OPC for adults is 150 to 300 mg, and studies have shown that OPC is not toxic at doses of 200-400 mg per day.

OPC can be taken with other vitamins or nutritional supplements because they enhance each other’s effects, such as vitamins C and E.

Key Thin Dragon Says

Remember PCC1? A study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences last year found that it could remove senescent cells and extend the lifespan of mice by 64.2%.

PCC1 is a high concentration of proanthocyanidins, and the removal of senescent cells is a very popular concept in recent years.

Grape seed extract – OPC (Proanthocyanidins), is one of the most potent antioxidants discovered so far from plant sources that can be used on the human body.

In addition to clearing senescent cells, protecting against oxidative stress, and bacterial pathogens.

OPC also repairs unstable collagen, reduces wrinkles, and increases skin elasticity for enhanced protection from UV radiation.

In addition to its many skin benefits, it supports brain function and improves the body’s metabolic parameters.