Our bodies are made up of billions of molecules held together by electromagnetic forces. These chemical bonds are created with paired electrons. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have lost an electron and are unbalanced. Free radicals seek to replace the lost electron by randomly attacking nearby molecules and extracting desired electrons. One free radical can damage a million or more molecules in a chain reaction referred to as radical propagation, which leads to oxidative stress. Uncontrolled oxidation is very destructive.
It is analogous to effects we see in our environment, such as the rusting of metal, the rotting of meat, the browning of apples or the hardening of old rubber. Oxidation in our body by free radicals is thought to be responsible for premature aging, wrinkling of skin, hardening of arteries, stiffening of joints, formation of cataracts, the initiation of cancer and much more. We are constantly exposed to free radicals via such processes as antimicrobial activity by white blood cells and the absorption of chemical additives in our foods.
Our ability to fight free radical damage effectively is compromised by our inadequate nutritional choices or diets that contain limited amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidant supplementation is necessary if we are unable to reduce our exposure to free radicals, but wish to counter their effect. OPCs should be taken in conjunction with foods or dietary supplements rich in vitamin C, vitamin e, beta-carotene, and selenium, to name a few antioxidants.
How does OPC-3 work?
Our bodies are made up of billions of molecules held together by electromagnetic forces. These chemical bonds are created with paired electrons. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have lost an electron and are unbalanced. Free radicals seek to replace the lost electron by randomly attacking nearby molecules and extracting desired electrons. One free radical can damage a million or more molecules in a chain reaction referred to as radical propagation, which leads to oxidative stress. Uncontrolled oxidation is very destructive.
It is analogous to effects we see in our environment, such as the rusting of metal, the rotting of meat, the browning of apples or the hardening of old rubber. Oxidation in our body by free radicals is thought to be responsible for premature aging, wrinkling of skin, hardening of arteries, stiffening of joints, formation of cataracts, the initiation of cancer and much more. We are constantly exposed to free radicals via such processes as antimicrobial activity by white blood cells and the absorption of chemical additives in our foods.
Our ability to fight free radical damage effectively is compromised by our inadequate nutritional choices or diets that contain limited amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidant supplementation is necessary if we are unable to reduce our exposure to free radicals, but wish to counter their effect. OPCs should be taken in conjunction with foods or dietary supplements rich in vitamin C, vitamin e, beta-carotene, and selenium, to name a few antioxidants.