Is Daily Aspirin Right for You?

by Dr. Stephen Sinatra 

Early in my career when I was running through hospital halls, coat tails flying behind me, headed to help someone in cardiac arrest—I pondered whether daily aspirin could prevent these types of calamities. It was the 1980s and there wasn’t a hard-working doctor who didn’t worry about having their own heart attack. Knowing that aspirin had the power to thin the blood, many doctors began adding a daily aspirin to their regimen.

Later on, once the efficacy was confirmed, it was decided an 81 mg baby aspirin could replace the hefty 325 mg adult dose. Bayer, the largest producer of aspirin, jumped at the chance to promote its pain reliever as the “wonder drug” in heart attack prevention, even in healthy individuals. Doctors began prescribing it to virtually every patient they had.

Daily Aspirin Increases Bleeding Events

Now, a new meta-analysis of 9 placebo-controlled trials challenges that practice. This month, the Archives of Internal Medicine published data collected from 100,000 people over six years showing that we have to treat 120 people with a daily aspirin to prevent just one nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI).

Super Antioxidant OPC-3

The researchers did report that total cardiovascular events decreased by 10 percent.  But at the same time there was a 30 percent increased risk for “trivial bleeding events.”  Because it took treating just 73 people to trigger that bleeding event, we must think twice about our overzealous use of aspirin.

The Bottom Line on Daily Aspirin 

* I don’t recommend an aspirin for primary heart attack prevention. While a daily aspirin prevents clot formation, the final step that triggers a heart attack, it doesn’t change atherosclerotic plaque which is the underlying cause of heart disease.

A far better way to prevent a heart attack is by keeping plaque from forming and building up in the first place.  That means back to basics: a healthy diet, exercise, weight reduction, nutritional support with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, blood pressure lowering, stress reduction
and so on.

* But taking a daily aspirin for secondary heart attack prevention—if you’ve already had a heart attack or have a history of cardiovascular disease—is just plain good medicine. I regularly advocate aspirin for those who have known heart disease, such as a history of angina, heart attack, angioplasty or stent procedures, or coronary artery bypass surgery. In these cases, I recommend taking one baby aspirin daily.

But even if you have all the characteristics I just mentioned that would make you a perfect candidate for a daily preventative aspirin regimen, it won’t do you a lick of good if you’re part of the population known as “aspirin-resistant.” Fortunately, there’s a test to determine if an aspirin a day will work for you.

The power of Pycnogenol Infographic

The power of Pycnogenol Infographic

• Controlling diabetes
• Relieving arthritis
• A healthier heart

7% reduction of LDL bad cholesterol in young healthy adults after six weeks

5.3 reduction fasting blood glucose levels in type two diabetes patients after three weeks

55% of osteoarthritis patients reported decreased pain after three months

10% increase of HDL good cholesterol in young healthy adults after six weeks

56% of osteoarthritis patients who improved physical functions after three months

53% of osteoarthritis patients reported decreased joint stiffness after three months

57% of individuals who cut blood pressure medication in half after eight weeks

Click here to find products that have Pycnogenol

Probiotics, Cholesterol and Heart Health

Posted by Dr. Mark Lange

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that, by 2030, cardiovascular diseases will affect approximately 23.6 million people around the world.  High blood cholesterol is a factor in 45 percent of heart attacks in Western Europe and 35 percent of heart attacks in Central and Eastern Europe.  Heart attack risk is three times higher in those with hypercholesterolemia, compared to those who have normal blood lipid profiles.

The Pros of Probiotics Infographic

Keeping blood cholesterol levels within normal ranges typically includes exercise, monitoring dietary intake and drug therapy.  However, pharmaceutical agents to control cholesterol are expensive, often suboptimal and have negative side effects.

Cholesterol is made in the liver from bile, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the upper portion of the small intestine after food intake.  Bile acts as a biological detergent, used to emulsify and solubilize dietary lipids.  Bile is made from cholesterol, and any in fact, about half of the bodys cholesterol is used to make bile.  Under normal conditions, bile is reabsorbed into the bloodstream from the intestinal tract and taken up by the liver.

Probiotic bacteria – especially Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus and Clostridium– produce enzymes that convert bile into a less soluble form which is excreted in feces before reabsorption into the bloodstream.  Replacement bile, lost in excretion, is then replenished by drawing upon serum cholesterol as the building material; leading to a reduction in serum cholesterol. Oral administration of probiotics has shown to reduce cholesterol levels by as much as 33 percent in animal and human studies.  These cholesterol-lowering effects can be partially ascribed to bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity.

Here is an abbreviated list of bacteria having demonstrated ability to lower serum cholesterol through BSH activity in randomized controlled trials.  There are dozens of bacterial species having BSH activity, but to be used as a probiotic, it must be safe for human ingestion and have tolerance of physiological stresses: e.g., low pH, osmolarity change and bile.

• Bifidobacterium breve
• B. infantis
• B. longum
• Lactobacillus acidolphilus
• L. casei
• L. fermentum
• L. rhamnosus
• L. plantarum

The cholesterol reducing effect of probiotics is also attributed to their ability to bind with cholesterol in the small intestine.  In vitro studies reveal that the capacity to bind cholesterol and the amount of cholesterol assimilated varies widely among strains. Interestingly, although live bacteria remove more cholesterol than dead cells, heat-killed cells also will remove some cholesterol, indicating that cholesterol binds to the cellular surface.

Increasingly, it is being demonstrated that many aspects of general health begin and reside in the metabolic processes surrounding digestion. The benefits of probiotic activity in relation to cholesterol levels is one such example.

Did you know...

 "Oral administration of probiotics has shown to REDUCE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 33%"- in animal and human studies.

What Makes NutriClean® Probiotics Unique? 

NutriClean Probiotics

Diversity of strains, total bacterial count and protection of the probiotics are key elements in a powerful probiotic product. The digestive tract is home to 400-500 different types of microbes. These microbes include both healthy bacteria (probiotics) and potentially unhealthy bacteria. Maintaining optimal digestive and immune health depends in large part on maintaining optimal bacterial balance within the digestive tract. With such tremendous diversity naturally present in the digestive tract, it is important to supplement with not just one strain, but numerous strains of probiotics, so that the most comprehensive benefit is received.

Many products on the market deliver a high total probiotic count, but they are only coming from one or two strains. These practices yield products which do not deliver comprehensive support. According to research published in Food Research International, probiotic products which deliver multiple strains can offer more benefits than a single strain. Market America’s NutriClean Probiotics delivers 10 billion CFUs from 10 different strains with patented LiveBac® and Bio-tract® technologies to help keep the probiotics viable during both bottling and throughout the digestive process.*

Each strain has a unique purpose and the strains work synergistically to support numerous areas of health from immunity to stomach comfort and bowel regularity. Your body is a bacterial battlefield. As with a true battle, there may be lots of different types of good guys and lots of different types of bad guys. On “Good Guys Team” (NutriClean Probiotics), you have the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. Each component of the team brings a unique area of expertise and, working together, they achieve their goal. When your good guys are outnumbered, you don’t want to just bring in more Navy, you need a variety of strong, capable resources with unique talents.

“The Good Guys Team” (NutriClean Probiotics) are 10 carefully selected bacterial strains – six lactobacilli strains and four bifidobacterium strains – each with a unique role to help your body maintain bacterial balance and optimal digestive health.  

Dr Sanjay Gupta says "Time is of the Essence for Stroke Patients" Tart cherries linked to reduced risk of stroke

Tart cherries linked to reduced risk of stroke

In addition to positive heart health benefits, cherry-rich diet suggests decrease in stroke risk in University of Michigan animal study

ANN ARBOR, Mich. 

For the millions of Americans at risk for heart disease or diabetes, a diet that includes tart cherries might actually be better than what the doctor ordered, according to new animal research from the University of Michigan Health System.

The new research from the U-M Cardioprotection Research Laboratory suggests that tart cherries not only provide similar cardiovascular benefits as the prescribed medications, but can also reduce the risk of stroke, even when taken with these pharmaceutical options.

The results, which were seen in stroke-prone rats, were presented Tuesday, April 23 at the Experimental Biology 2013 meeting in Boston.

The group’s previous research has shown that intake of U.S.-produced, Montmorency tart cherries activates PPAR isoforms (peroxisome proliferator activating receptors) in many of the body’s tissues. Researchers believe that anthocyanins – the pigments that give the fruit its red color – may be responsible for PPAR activation.

PPARs regulate genes involved in fat and glucose metabolism, and when modified can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. PPAR agonists, among them medications such as Actos (pioglitazone), act in a similar way but cardiovascular side effects have limited their use.

“Our previous research has shown that Montmorency tart cherries can have a positive effect on cardiovascular health and can reduce risk factors like high cholesterol and diabetes,” says E. Mitchell Seymour, Ph.D., supervisor of the Cardioprotection Research Laboratory. “While prescribed drugs improve the outlook for certain risk factors, they’ve also shown to have undesirable side effects. We wanted to see if a tart cherry-rich diet might provide similar cardiovascular benefits without the risk of heart attack or stroke.”

The researchers compared the effect of tart cherries and the drug Actos in stroke-prone rats by measuring the animals’ systolic blood pressure as well as locomotion, balance, coordination, all of which can show the aftereffects of a stroke.

By putting the rats through various physical tests, such as walking on a tapered beam and climbing a ladder, the researchers found that compared to Actos, tart cherry intake significantly improved balance and coordination, and at the same time lowered blood pressure.

While the research results indicate that rats who consumed only tart cherries had the best results, those who had the combination of tart cherries and Actos also did better than those who only took the drug. Seymour cautioned that the results can’t be applied directly to humans, but they are a potentially positive sign for those taking medications.

“We weren’t sure if the risk for stroke would decline in animals taking both tart cherry and the drug,” Seymour says. “It turns out that the cherries did have a positive effect even when combined with the medication.”  

Steven Bolling, M.D., a U-M cardiac surgeon and the laboratory’s director, said the study adds to the group’s growing body of research linking cherries to positive heart health. The results provide the groundwork for continued investigation into the topic, he says.

“This research is the first to link to cherries to a reduction in stroke-related symptoms,” Bolling says. “It gives us a good preclinical model to further explore the positive stroke-related benefits of an anthocyanin-rich diet.” 

According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta
"Time is of the essence for Stroke Patients"

Learn more here -Time is of the Essence for Stroke Patients

Most people don't recognize stroke symptoms or realize how small the window is for successful treatment.  

Take Control of your situation!  

OPC-3

There are basic preventive measures that can reduce your risk of having a stroke:

• Keep high blood pressure in check by exercising, eating wisely and, if needed, with medication.
• Watch out for cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet. That can reduce the plaque in your arteries.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight contributes to other stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• If you’ve already suffered a stroke or TIA, your doctor may recommend medication to prevent having another. Learn more from Dr. Sanjay here

If you cannot get the anthocyanins from your diet then you must supplement.  Get the anthocyanins though a supplement ( OPC-3 or ORAC ) Try an isotonic blend so your body can absorb 95% of the product compared to a pill or capsule you get max of 35%.
Remember if someone continues doing what they have always done then they will have what they have always had.  It is time to make a change for your own health.

Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids Are Important to Your Health

Are you like me with a goal to always be the #1 advocate for your own health? Then read this post. You have probably already heard about omega-3′s, which are “essential fatty acids” we all must consume for consistently good health. The problem is that our bodies do not make omega-3′s on their own, leaving it up to us to actively seek omega-3 fatty acids through our diet and supplements.

Foods That Fight Inflammation

Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids Are Important to Your Health

• Reduce inflammation in the body
• Lower lipids in the bloodstream
• Inhibit thickening of your arteries
• Improve the body response to insulin, which can regulate weight and metabolism
• Help prevent cancer cell growth

If you’ve been dealing with depression, chronic pain, heart disease, clotting issues or hormone imbalances, talk to your doctor about focusing on your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. I rely on this fish oil supplement as well as organic foods like walnuts, salmon and flaxseeds (which naturally have omega-3′s) to cover my bases!

Do you take a fish oil supplement? Have you noticed any benefits?

The Benefits of Berries

 By Ryan Saba

Berries have been shown to be some of the healthiest foods on the planet.  Low in calories, high in fiber, and containing vitamins and mineral your body needs to function optimally, berries are nutritional powerhouses.

Extremely powerful antioxidants, berries protect your body from inflammation.  With their high oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values – a method of measuring antioxidant capacities – berries help to prevent negative effects on the body by turning off inflammation signals, making them a vital part of our diet. These little power foods may be simple but they have been shown to poses a variety of amazing benefit from protecting the heart all the way to enhancing vision. Try Isotonix Maximum ORAC 

Heart Protection
One of the primary benefits of berries is their ability to improve heart health and blood flow throughout the body.  One way this is done is by reducing the buildup of harmful plaque on blood vessel walls, which reduces the risk of arteries hardening.  By keeping arteries clean and avoiding the buildup of plaque, the heart can work more efficiently, reducing the potential of heart attacks and other heart disease related conditions. 

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Below is Dr. Steven Lamm a practicing internist, faculty member at New York University School of Medicine, and the Director of Men's Health for NYU Medical Center discussing Pycnogenol and its amazing benefits in Isotonix OPC-3

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Also, incorporation of berries into your diet has been shown to reduce oxidation of LDL – or “bad” – cholesterol. Oxidation, the process by which cells and tissue break down, is a key factor in heart disease because oxidized LDL can inflame arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks. Reducing the oxidation levels of LDL cholesterol not only improves overall heart function, but also reduces long term risks of heart disease. Learn more about an exclusive isotonic form of Pycnogenol in (OPC-3)

Powerful Antioxidants
Even though taste is often what we like most about berries, their color is what makes them so good for us.  The rich blues, deep purples and bright reds are a result of a group of phytochemicals called flavonoids. These pigments help to counter cell damage in our bodies caused by free radicals.  Over time, free radicals contribute to disease and are one of the primary factors in the aging process.

Antioxidant compounds protect our bodies from the oxidative damage that is caused by everything from poor diet, environmental toxins and even vigorous exercise.  By neutralizing free radicals, flavonoids may help to reduce the risk of cancer and aid in memory and other brain functions that begin to decline as we age.

Vision Enhancement
Various forms of berries contain lutein, a carotenoid important for healthy vision. Reduced eye function and the degeneration of vision are some of the most common problems associated with aging.  With the ability to protect against glaucoma and cataract progression, berries have been show to promote overall eye health. Berries have also been shown to enhance vision, especially at night, by supporting the regeneration of rhodopsin in the eyes.  This process helps the eyes to adjust better during periods of darkness and also reduces the permeability of the fine blood vessel walls throughout the eye. Berries have also been shown to protect against retinopathy, a condition the leads to impaired vision and blindness due to blood accumulation in the retina.

Sometimes the simplest things offer the best benefits.  Berries are some of the most powerful (and delicious) disease-fighting foods available. Introducing them into your diet – ideally two or three types each day – can improve various areas of health and overall well being.

Are All Multivitamins Created Equal?

A multivitamin easily serves as one of the critical foundation products for optimal health. It is no secret that our diets today are significantly lacking the basic vitamins and minerals needed by our bodies. Not only are our diets deficient, but our soil is diminished of the key nutrients it once carried.

Because a multivitamin can help fill the nutritional gaps that our diets leave open, it is important to choose one that provides the right ingredients at adequate amounts, while also being delivered in a way to provide the maximum benefits. All multivitamins are NOT the same; certain aspects should be considered when choosing a product.

Try Isotonix MultiVitamin 

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a multivitamin is the delivery system. Many products in the form of tablets and capsules exist on the market today, but do these provide the most effects? Optimal nutrient absorption is easily attained when ingredients are delivered in an isotonic form. Isotonic solutions help control the rate at which nutrients move from the stomach to the small intestine, allowing for the appropriate amount of time for proper absorption. Ideally, multivitamins should be delivered in a way where little nutritive value is lost and efficiency of nutrient absorption is at its best.

In addition to the product’s delivery form, it also helps when the nutrients themselves are in a form which allows for maximum absorption and usability. For example, some of the B vitamins are available in forms which allow some conversion steps to be eliminated and optimal utilization to occur. Specifically, the liver must convert cyanocobalamin, the form of B12 most commonly used in supplements, into methylcobalamin, before it can be properly utilized by the body. By supplementing with methylcobalamin in your daily multivitamin, this step can be eliminated.

This is also the case with folic acid. Folate (or folic acid) must go through a series of chemical conversions before it becomes metabolically active to be properly utilized. Folinic acid is an active derivative of folic acid and does not require the action of certain enzymes, again eliminating this step the body would usually have to complete.

Some minerals, like iron, also offer more bioavailable forms. Combining highly bioavailable ingredients with an advanced delivery system gives a unique advantage for your multivitamin.

It is imperative to choose a multivitamin which contains each of the key vitamins and minerals. Not only are these nutrients necessary components for numerous processes within the body and assist in the normal functions of our bodies, but deficiencies in these key vitamins and minerals can have detrimental effects on your health. Vitamins A, C, D, E and each of the B vitamins each help contribute to the basic micronutrient foundation. A multivitamin should contain each of these.

Additionally, including a variety of minerals such as calcium and selenium in your multivitamin can help establish a more rounded multivitamin complex. A formula that simply contains the vitamins and minerals is not enough; you must ensure your product contains 100% or more of the recommended daily values (also known as DVs). A multivitamin helps lay the basic foundation for your dietary supplement regimen, but it must contain the key nutrients at effective amounts.

Isotonix MultiVitamin

Exemplary quality control is a critical component when choosing any dietary supplement, not just a multivitamin. High standards and adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are mandatory for ensuring the highest level of quality control is being performed. Only choose health and nutrition products that are produced under strict GMP standards and feel confident knowing this high quality control system helps guarantee your product meets specifications and ensures consistent manufacturing with regard to purity and performance.

Now more than ever, good health begins with the practice of good nutrition, and a multivitamin has become a key component of this practice. Directing a careful eye towards not only the quantity of ingredients in multivitamins, but also their quality, is one of the surest steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Crystal Shelton

Isotonix Opc-3 - Single Bottle (90 Servings)

Isotonix Opc-3 - Single Bottle (90 Servings)

Primary Benefits:

Isotonix OPC-3

° Combats free radicals
° Demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity
° Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
° Helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins
° Helps maintain joint flexibility
° Helps promote/support cardiovascular health
° Helps reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain
° Helps support visual health/visual acuity
° Potent free radical scavenger
° Promotes/Supports healthy blood vessel dilation
° Promotes/Supports healthy nitric oxide levels
° Supports a healthy complexion
° Supports healthy blood glucose levels
° Supports healthy platelet activity
° Supports healthy sperm quality


Key Ingredients:

Grape Seed Extract : 25 mg

Grape seed extract is typically extracted from the seeds of red grapes (instead of white), which have a high content of compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Grape seed extract is extremely rich in polyphenols, compounds with high antioxidant activity. Grape seed extract has been found to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.



Red Wine Extract: 25 mg

Red wine extract is a potent antioxidant. This extract is found in grape vines, roots, seeds and stalks, with the highest concentration in the skins. The antioxidant properties of red wine extract contribute to maintaining healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, and promoting overall cardiovascular health.



In the late 1990s, scientists took note of a phenomenon among the French. There were very low rates of cardiovascular problems in the provinces where residents consistently ate high fat foods and drank red wine. Scientists concluded that the protective properties of red wine have helped the French maintain cardiovascular health for years and subsequent scientific studies have further shown that the OPCs found in red wine are particularly beneficial for protecting the heart and blood vessels.



Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol®): 25 mg

Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the maritime pine tree, which grows exclusively along the coast of southwest France in Les Landes de Gascogne. This unspoiled and natural forest environment is the unique source of pine bark. Pycnogenol is one of the most researched ingredients in the natural product marketplace. Published findings have demonstrated Pycnogenol’s wide array of beneficial effects on the body. Pine bark extract is an all natural combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids.



The extract has four basic properties — it is a powerful antioxidant, acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, selectively binds to collagen and elastin, and aids in the production of endothelial nitric oxide, which helps to dilate blood vessels.



As one of the most potent natural scavenger of free radicals, Pycnogenol combats many aggressive free radicals before they cause oxidative stress to vital organs. Its super-antioxidant capabilities help support healthy blood platelet activity, support healthy blood glucose levels, reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain, maintain joint flexibility, promote cardiovascular health, promote healthy sperm quality, maintain healthy cholesterol levels and support a healthy complexion.



Bilberry Extract : 25 mg

Bilberry extract is derived from the leaves and berry-like fruit of a common European shrub closely related to the blueberry. Extracts of the ripe berry are known to contain flavonoid pigments known as anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Scientific studies confirm that bilberry extract supports healthy vision and venous circulation. Bilberry extract helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins.



Citrus Extract (Bioflavonoids): 25 mg

Bioflavonoids are antioxidants found in certain plants that act as light filters, which protect delicate DNA chains and other important macromolecules by absorbing ultraviolet radiation. They have been found to promote cardiovascular health, help maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, and demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity.


Grape Seed Extract for Blood Pressure?

Study: Grape Seed Extract May Help Tame Prehypertension By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical News


Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD
on Monday, March 27, 2006

SOURCES: American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition,Atlanta, March 26-30, 2006. Tissa Kappagoda, MD, PhD, professor of internal medicine (cardiovascular medicine), University of California, Davis. News release, University of California, Davis. News release, American Chemical Society.

Grape and Salicin-Rich Extracts for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

HerbalGram. 2004;63:25 © American Botanical Council



Supplement Speeds Wound Healing

Antioxidant Cocktail Contains 4 Skin-Friendly Substances

By Sid Kirchheimer
WebMD Medical News


Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
on Thursday, July 08, 2004



The effect of polyphenolic extract from pine bark, Pycnogenol on the level of glutathione in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Redox Rep. 2006;11(4):163-72.

Nonalcoholic Red Wine Extract and Quercetin Inhibit LDL Oxidation without Affecting Plasma Antioxidant Vitamin and Carotenoid Concentrations

(Clinical Chemistry. 2000;46:1162-1170.)
© 2000 American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Inc.

Pycnogenol reduces osteoarthritis pain, study


Scientific Studies:



o Bayeta, E., et al. Pycnogenol inhibits generation of inflammatory mediators in macrophages. Nutrition Research 20: 249-259, 2000.

o Blazsó, G., et al. Anti-inflammatory and superoxide radical scavenging activities of a procyanidins containing extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Sol. and its fractions. Pharm Pharmacol Lett 3: 217-20, 1994.

o Cho, K., et al. Effect of bioflavonoids extracted from the bark of Pinus maritima on proinflammatory cytokine interlukin-1 production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264. 7. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 168: 64-71, 2000.

o Cho, K., et al. Inhibition mechanisms of bioflavonoids extracted from the bark of Pinus maritima on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Annals of the NY Academy of Sciences 928: 141-156, 2001.

o Devaraj, S., et al. Supplementation with a pine bark extract rich in polyphenols increases plasma antioxidant capacity and alters the plasma lipoprotein profile. Lipids 37:931-4, 2002.

o Fine, AM, Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes: history, structure, and phytopharmaceutical applications. Altern Med Rev 5:144-51, 2000.

o Fitzpatrick, D., et al. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 32: 509-515, 1998.

o Frankel, E., et al. Inhibition of oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein by phenolic substances in red wine. Lancet 341: 454-7, 1993.

o Freedman, J., et al. Select flavonoids and whole juice from purple grapes inhibit platelet function and enhance nitric oxide release. Circulation 103:2792-8, 2001.

o Frémont, L. Biological effects of resveratrol. Life Sciences 66: 663-673, 2000.

o Gulati, O. Pycnogenol® in venous disorders: a review. European Bulletin of Drug Research 7: 1-13, 1999.

o Hosseini, S., et al. Pycnogenol® in the management of asthma. Journal of Medicinal Food 4: 201-209, 2001. HHHh

o Kohama, T., et al. The treatment of gynecological disorders with Pycnogenol®. European Bulletin of Drug Research 7: 30-32, 1999.

o Kohama, T., et al. Analgesic efficacy of French maritime pine bark extract in dysmenorrhea. Journal of Reproductive Medicine 49: 828-32, 2004.

o Liu, X., et al. Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II. Life Sci 75:2505-13, 2004.

o Liu, X., et al. French maritime pine bark extract pycnogenol dose-dependently lowers glucose in type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 27: 839, 2004.

o Manna, S., et al. Resveratrol suppresses TNF-Induced activation of nuclear transcription factors NF-kB, activator protein-1, and apoptosis: potential role of reactive oxygen intermediates and lipid peroxidation. The Journal of Immunology 164: 6509-19, 2000.

o Maritim, A., et al. Effects of pycnogenol treatment on oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:193-9, 2003.

o Miyagi, Y., et al. Inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein oxidation by flavonoids in red wine and grape juice. Am J Cardiol 0:1627-31, 1997.

o Monograph. Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry). Altern Med Rev 6:500-4, 2001.

o Murias M., et al. Resveratrol analogues as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: synthesis and structure-activity relationship. Bioorg Med Chem 12: 5571-8, 2004.

o Nuttall SL, Kendall MJ, Bombardelli E, Morazzoni P. An evaluation of the antioxidant activity of a standardized grape seed extract, Leucoselect. J Clin Pharm Ther 23: 385-89, 1998.

o Packer, L., et al. Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, pycnogenol. Free Radic Biol Med 27:704-24, 1999. Review.

o Rohdewald, P. A review of the French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®), a herbal medication with a diverse clinical pharmacology. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 40:158-68, 2002. Review.

o Rohdewald, P. Pycnogenol®. In "Flavonoids in Health and Disease". Ed. Catherine Rice-Evans and Lester Packer. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1998. 405-19.

o Roseff, S., et al. Improvement in sperm quality and function with French maritime pine tree bark extract. Journal Reproductive Medicine 47: 821-4, 2002.

o Roseff, S., et al. Improvement of sperm quality by Pycnogenol®. European Bulletin of Drug Research 7: 33-6, 1999.

o Saito, M., et al. Antiulcer activity of grape seed extract and procyanidins. J Agric Food Chem 46: 1460-4, 1998.

o Schönlau, F., et al. Pycnogenol® for diabetic retinopathy. International Ophthalmology 24: 161-171, 2002.

o Schönlau, F., et al. The cosmeceutical Pycnogenol®. J Appl Cosmetology 20: 241-6, 2002.

o Segger, D. and Schönlau, F. Supplementation with Evelle® improves skin smoothness and elasticity in a double blind, placebo-controlled study with 62 women. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 15:222-26, 2004.

o Shi, J., et al. Polyphenolics in grape seeds-biochemistry and functionality. J Med Food 6:291-9, 2003. Review.

o Sharma, S., et al. Pycnogenol® inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells. Phytotherapy Research 17: 66-69, 2003.

o Spadea, L., et al. Treatment of vascular retinopathies with Pycnogenol®. Phytotherapy Research 15: 219-23, 2001.

o Stein, J., et al. Purple grape juice improves endothelial function and reduces the susceptibility of LDL cholesterol to oxidation in patients with coronary artery disease. Circulation 100:1050-5, 1999.

o Takada, Y., et al. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents differ in their ability to suppress NF-kappaB activation, inhibition of expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and cyclin D1, and abrogation of tumor cell proliferation. Oncogene 23: 9247-58, 2004.

o Ueda, T., et al. Preventative effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants on lipid peroxidation in the mammalian eye. Ophthalmic Res 28: 184-92, 1996.

o Wallerath, T., et al. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin present in red wine, enhances expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Circulation 106:1652-8, 2002.

o Watson, R. Pycnogenol® and cardiovascular health. Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine 1: 27-32, 2003.

o Wei, Z., et al. Pycnogenol enhances endothelial cell antioxidant defense. Redox Report 3: 219-24, 1997.

o Yamakoshi, J., et al. Proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds attenuates the development of aortic atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Atherosclerosis 142:139-149, 1999.

o Ames, BN, et al. Oxidants, antioxidants, and the degenerative diseases of aging. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:7915-7922, 1993.

o Bagchi, D, et al. Oxygen free radical scavenging abilities of vitamins C and E, and a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract in vitro. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol 95:179-89, 1997.

o Bagchi, D, et al. Free radicals and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract: importance in human health and disease prevention. Toxicology 148: 187-97, 2000.

o Bagchi, D, et al. Cellular protection with proanthocyanidins derived from grape seed. Ann NY Acad Sci 957:260-70, 2002.

o Cao G, Alessio H, Cultler R. Oxygen-radical absorbance capacity assay for antioxidants. Fre Rad Biol & Med 14:301-11, 1993.

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What Makes This Product Unique?

A free radical is an atomic structure with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell. These unpaired electrons tend to be highly reactive, resulting in chemical reactions such as oxidation. Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable. They scavenge the body to grab or donate electrons, causing damage to cells, proteins and DNA. Free radicals are naturally occurring; however, air pollution, stress, smoking, heavy exercising and aging all contribute to the creation of harmful free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to the body, potentially leading to serious health problems. Normally the body is able to protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if free radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur.



Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues. Antioxidants work in two ways, chain breaking and prevention. A chain-breaking antioxidant such as vitamins A, C and E, stabilize free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures. A preventative antioxidant prevents the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals.



Isotonix OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine, pine bark extracts and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be potent antioxidants. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol® in the world. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, and the most clinically researched and potent bioflavonoid.



Isotonic, which means “same pressure,” bears the same chemical resemblance of the body’s blood, plasma and tears. All fluids in the body have a certain concentration, referred to as osmotic pressure. The body’s common osmotic pressure, which is isotonic, allows a consistent maintenance of body tissues. In order for a substance to be absorbed and used in the body’s metabolism, it must be transported in an isotonic state.



Isotonix® dietary supplements are delivered in an isotonic solution. This means that the body has less work to do to in obtaining maximum absorption. The isotonic state of the suspension allows nutrients to pass directly into the small intestine and be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. With Isotonix products, little nutritive value is lost, making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient while delivering maximum results.



Frequently Asked Questions:



What is Isotonix OPC-3?

Isotonix OPC-3 is a dietary supplement that bears some of the most powerful bioflavonoids currently known to research scientists. These bioflavonoids are scientifically termed oligomeric proanthocyanidins, commonly abbreviated OPCs. The purest and best-researched OPCs chosen for OPC-3 are prepared from grape seed, red wine, bilberries, Pycnogenol from pine bark and citrus fruit. This combination of potent OPCs is unique to OPC-3, as is the Isotonix delivery system, which enables rapid and highly efficient absorption of the OPCs. Isotonix OPC-3 has been shown to provide a variety of health benefits including but not limited to combating free radicals, demonstrating anti-inflammatory activity, helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels, helping maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, helping maintain joint flexibility, helping promote/support cardiovascular health, helping reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain, helping support visual health/visual acuity, scavenging free radicals, promoting/supporting healthy blood vessel dilation, promoting/supporting healthy nitric oxide levels, supporting a healthy complexion, supporting healthy blood glucose levels, supporting healthy platelet activity and supporting healthy sperm quality.



What is a bioflavonoid?

Bioflavonoids are complex organic plant compounds. Plants and fruits differ in colors based on the specific bioflavonoids they contain. An increasing number of clinical studies have shown how bioflavonoids support health. Bioflavonoids found in OPCs play a key role in cardiovascular health and maintaining vascular integrity. Bioflavonoids have been shown to demonstrate support for healthy circulation and cell vitality. Normal collagen renewal is promoted, which supports firmness of the skin, joint cartilage and connective tissue.



What sets Isotonix OPC-3 apart from other bioflavonoid products?

Isotonix OPC-3 offers scientifically supported OPCs, found to be the most potent antioxidants for human health. In addition to being powerful antioxidants, these individual OPCs have been shown to provide a myriad of specific health benefits. This science-driven selection of OPCs is unique to OPC-3, as is the Isotonix delivery system, which enables rapid and highly efficient absorption of the OPCs. The potent nutrients, in combination with the highly effective delivery system, makes OPC-3 the most powerful free radical scavenging product available.



Is Isotonix OPC-3 safe?

Yes. OPCs are among the most valuable constituents of a healthy human diet. OPCs have been researched and used for over 30 years throughout Europe. Extensive safety studies were conducted which revealed no evidence for human toxicity or allergic reactions. OPC-3 contains pure OPCs in combination with carefully balanced quantities of potassium and fructose/glucose, which set up the isotonic delivery system. OPC-3 is free of harmful chemicals, preservatives and alcohol. OPC-3 should be taken as directed.



How long does it take to benefit from Isotonix OPC-3?

OPC-3 not only provides the most potent OPCs available, the unique Isotonix delivery system ensures that the small intestine rapidly absorbs the OPCs, which are available in the blood stream within minutes. This is because the OPCs are delivered in liquid form. The liquid is isotonic, which means it duplicates the environment in our cells and blood stream regarding pH, electrolytes, etc. This enables the OPCs to enter the body easily and with a high level of bioavailability. Because of the rapid absorbability, the body should benefit from Isotonix OPC-3 almost immediately.



What is the advantage of taking Isotonix OPC-3 regularly?

Many effects of OPC-3 start to work after a single serving. Studies with human volunteers have found that the health benefits of OPCs may take a while to occur. This may be the case for health concerns resulting from everyday wear and tear, where time simply has taken its toll. Taking Isotonix OPC-3 daily enables the body to sustain a consistent antioxidant defense.



Why should everyone take Isotonix OPC-3?

Free radical damage and oxidative stress everyone is subject to. Free radicals develop as byproducts of physiological processes that occur within the body. This damage does not cause noticeable harm at first, yet may add up over the years. This process is largely responsible for the aging process. Free radicals have been linked directly to premature aging, poor circulation, poor heart health and poor immune health.



OPCs are the most powerful natural free radical neutralizers and you get the best of all OPCs by taking Isotonix OPC-3. Regular use every day is vital for keeping free radicals in check and a long, healthy life. Laboratory studies have shown that OPCs are more powerful antioxidants than vitamin C and vitamin E.



Can you take Isotonix OPC-3 in soda, juice, coffee, etc., rather than water?

It is possible but not recommended. This product should only be taken as directed. In order to keep the product in an isotonic form and to achieve the maximum delivery speed, it needs to be taken on an empty stomach with 2 oz. of water per capful. Mixing the products with anything else besides other Isotonix products and water slows down the delivery time and may affect the percentage of uptake.



I am healthy and athletic, why should I take Isotonix OPC-3?

Everyone is vulnerable to the aging process caused by continuous free radical damage. Athletes tend to be exposed to elevated levels of oxidative stress. Free radicals develop as byproducts during metabolism when calories are processed with oxygen. Athletes inhale 10 to 20 times more oxygen during physical activity over rest periods. The increase in activity creates additional free radicals. In fact, these free radicals are known to limit performance, as free radicals appear to take their toll on muscle tissue. Studies on recreational athletes have shown a 20 percent endurance increase with OPCs, as compared to a control group receiving a placebo. Another study has shown that athletes using OPCs suffered significantly less muscle cramping during and after performing. Isotonix OPC-3 helps to maintain healthy blood flow and this supports oxygen supply to muscles.*



Does OPC-3 have visible benefits?

As OPCs support collagen production in the skin, an increase of smoothness and elasticity is the natural result. Such an effect was objectively measured in women aged 40 years and older. Skin smoothness was increased after three months as measured by 3-dimensional topography. Likewise, increased skin elasticity was recorded with a special instrument known as a cutometer. It requires patience until skin cells have renewed significant amounts of collagen to show visible effects. It is essential to continuously take OPC-3 to keep skin cells at their peak vitality.



On a short-term basis, many people notice a fresher-looking skin complexion. This is a result of healthy blood microcirculation, which helps detoxify the skin and improves the nutrient supply. Regular use of OPC-3 helps defy photo-aging of the skin.*



Does OPC-3 have a rejuvenating effect?

The damage caused by free radicals adds up with time. A cause for more worry is the fact that your body's own mechanisms to keep free radicals in check decline with increasing age - when you need them the most. Suddenly, we find ourselves confronted with some typical age-related problems. Some cells of our body are more vulnerable to free radicals than others. OPC-3 has the ability to go in and do a knockout job, cleaning and scavenging the free radicals that feast on cellular energy, and take it away from vital processes.



What are the cardiovascular health benefits of OPCs?

Scientist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, who received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of vitamin C, discovered OPCs. Szent-Györgyi found that OPCs work in a similar fashion. They strengthen the walls of arteries, veins and capillaries.



In the past 20 years scientists discovered that OPCs bear a lot more benefits for the cardiovascular system. Epidemiological studies have shown that regular intake of powerful OPC antioxidants supports a healthy cardiovascular system. OPCs appear to be particularly helpful in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and healthy arteries.



Pycnogenol® in Isotonix OPC-3 plays a key role, as it stimulates an enzyme in the body to promote healthy nitric oxide (NO) levels. NO is a tiny molecule which serves as a key messenger molecule in the blood stream. It promotes relaxation of smooth muscle-surrounding arteries and supports normal artery diameter and blood flow. Healthy NO levels help maintain normal blood pressure. This benefit has been explicitly demonstrated with Pycnogenol in two clinical studies. NO also promotes healthy blood platelet activity thus preserving a normal, fluid environment. OPCs are especially helpful for smokers. OPC-3 packs a powerful punch when it comes to maintaining excellent cardiovascular health.



How can OPC-3 help my eyes?

Loss of eyesight is the disability people fear more than all others. Isotonix OPC-3 contains specific OPCs successfully tested for eye health.



Bilberry extract was shown to help maintain overall eye health in the vast majority of people in a study.



Pycnogenol has been shown to support healthy capillaries in the eye. Isotonix OPC-3 helps maintain visual health and supports visual acuity.*



Does OPC-3 have benefits specifically for women?

Some OPCs were shown in clinical trials to help women who suffer from mild pain and cramping during the menstrual period. When women were supplemented with OPCs, starting at least a week before their menstrual period, pain values were found to be significantly lowered.



What exactly is Pycnogenol?

Pycnogenol is the registered trademark of Horphag Research (UK) Ltd. for a standardized extract of bark of the French maritime pine tree. Pycnogenol is particularly renowned for its extensive clinical research with more than 120 studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals. The flavonoids in Pycnogenol not only act as powerful antioxidants, they also appear to aid in the generating of nitric oxide (NO). NO plays a key role in regulating cardiovascular health. Nitric oxide triggers the relaxation of arteries, restoring the normal diameter of blood vessels and supports healthy blood pressure and circulation. NO allows platelets to be less "sticky" allowing the blood to maintain a normal, fluid viscosity. Pycnogenol has been awarded various patents for its ability to influence platelet activity. In addition, in one of the few clinical trials of Pycnogenol, it dramatically inhibited smoking-induced platelet aggregation for longer than three days at a 200 mg dose.



How do I take OPC-3?

Each capful of Isotonix OPC-3 contains 125 milligrams of bioflavonoids, of which 75 milligrams are oligomeric proanthocyanidins in an isotonic-capable base. That means that the OPC-3 active ingredients will be delivered in the highest concentration to the small intestine, where most absorption of nutrients occurs.



To start using Isotonix OPC-3 for its benefit as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger, take two level capfuls for every 150 pounds of body weight for the first seven days. This is referred to as the saturation serving. Then, switch to a daily serving of one capful, per 150 lbs. of body weight, as a maintenance dose. For example, if you weigh 190 pounds, you would take three servings of Isotonix OPC-3 per day for seven days, and then switch to two servings per day for long-term health maintenance.



Isotonix OPC-3 has a pleasant natural grape flavor, is a vegetarian product and mixes instantly when added to water. This product should be taken on an empty stomach for the fastest, most effective delivery of the active ingredient. OPC-3 is a natural food supplement that should be taken for a lifetime.



What is the history of OPCs?

In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier was leading an expedition up the St. Lawrence River. Trapped by bad weather, Cartier and his crew were forced to survive on a ration of salted meat and biscuits. Cartier's crew began to suffer from severe deficiency of vitamin C and showed symptoms of scurvy. Many crewmembers died before the surviving members encountered a friendly Native American who saved most of their lives. He told them to make a tea from the bark and needles of the pine tree to cure their malady. They complied and, as a result, Cartier and many crewmembers survived.



Some 400 years later, Professor Jacques Masquelier of the University of Bordeaux, France, read a book by Cartier detailing their expedition. He concluded that pine bark not only contained some vitamin C, but obviously was a good source of bioflavonoids, whose effects are similar to those of vitamin C. Further studies and research revealed that the pine bark contained an array of proanthocyanidins complexes. These compounds were also found in a variety of plants, including grape seeds, cranberries, peanut skin, lemon tree bark and citrus rinds. Masquelier termed the active ingredients of the pine bark "pycnogenols", which today are referred to in the scientific community as oligomeric proanthocyanidins, or OPCs.

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