- The gist of this article
Is it OPC or OPCs ??? Listen to professor Jack Masquelier in the new video “OPCs and Vascular Health” and you’ll hear how the great French scientist, who was the first to isolate and research OPCs, talks about “les OPCs,” which is the French abbreviation for the Oligomeric ProanthoCyanidins.
When LKWs, why not OPCs
Of course, this is somewhat of a problem in the German and other languages, which doesn’t easily permit “OPCs.” Still, Germans have “LKWs,” [which is plural of the German abbreviation of Trucks], so why not OPCs !? Well, this is not just a language “thing.” You see, use of the term “OPC” allows manufacturers to suggest that all procyanidolic fractions in botanical extracts are alike, so that, as long as you pay attention to 1) the amount (percentage) of “OPC” in a product and 2) that product’s price, you’ll get the best deal when you pay the least amount of money for the largest amount.
Generic grape seed extracts
But that’s an incorrect conclusion that might save you some money but would not necessarily give you any health benefits. Dr. Masquelier devoted his lifetime’s work to “les OPCs.” Admittedly, in the early days when I introduced his products, his scientific work and his inventions to markets around the world, it didn’t matter much whether I used OPC or OPCs, since all of it was Masquelier’s “les OPCs.” This changed dramatically when the market became flooded by generic grape seed extracts, mostly of unknown quality and origin.
Percentages and prices. Don’t be fooled
But, you may ask, when Masquelier’s “les OPCs” are what they are, i.e. a complex phytonutrient compound, how does that help consumers to distinguish the wheat from the chaff ? Doesn’t the use of the generic term OPCs make the choosing between products even more difficult ? And, isn’t it so that the more I can get of them for the lowest possible price, I’ll still be safe ? Well, don’t bet on it, because not all procyanidolic fractions are alike. So, when manufacturers and suppliers are hiding the origin and composition behind impressively looking but essentially worthless Certificates ‒ that are quite meaningless when judged by experts who know all about making and qualifying oligomeric proanthocyanidins ‒, you’re still at square One.
Backed up by solid clinical research
Why is all this relevant for consumers ? Are you really interested in all these technical details that you don’t understand anyway ? Presumably, when it comes to “les OPCs,” you are looking for the complex phytonutrient that was used and tested in the clinical trials and scientific research that produced the numerous health benefits that these procyanidolic oligomers are known for. Presumably, you don’t want some kind of unidentified grape seed extract that was never tested, but that is nevertheless promoted as if it would produce the benefits of Masquelier’s OPCs.
The vitamins of the vascular wall
In my new video about vascular health, I present excerpts of the historic interview I had with professor Masquelier in 1994. In it, he explains how OPCs are the vitamins of the vascular wall. When you watch it, keep in mind that “les OPCs” of which Masquelier speaks are the specific oligomeric proanthocyanidins that he first isolated and used in the cardiovascular research that made them world famous. Should you wish to learn more about Masquelier’s fascinating work and scientific achievements, you’ll find it in OPCs, Dr. Masquelier’s Mark on Health.
