Antioxidant - Bioflavonoid Complex

There are more than 4,000 unique plant flavonoids [also called polyphenolic flavonoids or polyphenols].

Where alkaloids are present in 20% of flowering plants, flavonoids occur in all vascular plants. Flavonoids [together with carotenoids] provide most of the color in fruits and vegetables. They are very powerful antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals, preventing cell damage.

Benefits of Flavonoids

Flavonoids have proven effective in:

• reducing swelling in legs and ankles
• strengthening capillaries and supporting venous sufficiency of the lower limbs, and preventing hemorrhoids.
• reducing allergies and hayfevers
• act as a powerful antioxidant.
• prevent premature aging of skin by binding with collagen fibers
• increase skin elasticity
• stimulate immunity - antiviral, antiinflammatory, anti-mutagenics, cardio-protective, anti-allergenic, anti-carcinogenic

Source of Flavonoids

A key group of flavonoids, called proanthocyanidins, are found in high quantities in in citrus, green tea extract, bilberry extract and grape seed extracts.

Flavonoids are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and in beverages such as tea, cocoa and wine, being prominent components of citrus fruits and soybeans.

Power of Flavonoids

Flavonoids are polyphenols, which means they have more than one phenol group. The greater the number of phenol groups attached to a flavonoid, the the more powerful it is as an antioxidant.

By comparison, Vitamin E has only one phenol group, making Flavonoids more powerful than Vitamin E as an antioxidant in water soluble mediums.

Vitamin E is more powerful in fat soluble mediums, meaning both Flavonoids and Vitamin E are needed for optimal health.

Bioflavonoids need some amount of Vitamin C to be active in the body; and appear to be mutually protective. Flavonoids increase the absorption of vitamin C and influence a large number of enzyme systems, some of which are critically involved in chronic diseases, including cancer.

Best Flavonoid Products

Pycnogenol is a powerful blend of simple and complex polyphenols, strengthening capillary function and is more powerful than "regular" flavonoids or flavanols.

ActiVin has been proven to be an effective combination of polyphenols, extracted from the seeds of red grapes.

Antioxidant Supplements