Capitalizing on the science behind the health benefits and applications of these phenols: Flavonoids do not lack for scientific attention. Research continues to reveal numerous potent health mechanisms of these phytochemicals most known for their antioxidant properties. Amid this growing foundation in defense against diseases and other maladies, Flavonoids are drawing more interest from manufacturers and consumers. And with so many eyes and hands on flavonoid ingredients, various production and formulation issues have surfaced, confronting suppliers and manufacturers with challenges in bringing quality flavonoid products to market that best represent the science behind the benefits.
Within the complex chemical matrices of plants is a large class of polyphenols called flavonoids, which serve various functions related to the plants survival from stress, disease and ultraviolet light. This protection from harm extends from plants to humans, as flavonoids have been found effective against diseases marked by oxidative damage, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and neurological diseases, as well as other health issues including diarrhea and weight loss. Antioxidant properties may be the most known of the researched flavonoid benefits, but additional investigation has considered other mechanisms of action of various forms of flavonoid extracts. Most flavonoids in plants are bound to sugar molecules, forming glycosides; flavonoids not bound to sugar are called aglycones. Among the flavonoid subgroup are anthocyanins, flavanols, flavanols, flavanones, flavones and isoflavones.
Anthocyanins are the strong pigments found richly colored red, blue and purple fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, bilberries, plums, eggplant, red cabbage, red onion, grapes (red and purple) and red wine. Common anthocyanins include cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and petunidin.
Anthocyanin-rich blueberries have demonstrated protection against age-related neurodegenerative process in the brain, including damage to neurons. Similar protection is provided by strawberry flavonoids, which also protects the overall central nervous system, in addition to chemoprotection of the liver and esophagus from cancer development. Another esophageal defender is the blackberry, which can inhibit tumor formation in the oral cavity, while also helping to curb colon cancer development. Anthocyanins in bilberries have shown the ability to protect the eyes from development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). And, cranberries have been found to counter numerous health problems, including liver cancer, kidney stones, gum disease and urinary tract infection.
Combination several berries wild blueberry, strawberry, cranberry, wild bilberry, elderberry and raspberry is OptiBerry (from InterHealth USA), a multi-berry extract containing standardized levels of anthocyanins, including malvidin, cyaniding, delphinidin and petunidin, in biologically active ratios. In early 2006, researchers reported OptiBerry provided total body antioxidant protection from oxidative stress in an animal study, with particular benefits to the liver and lungs. Earlier research on this anthocyanin-rich extract revealed chemopreventive and hypocholesterolemic effects, in addition to antiangiogenic properties. As might be expected, this combination of berries demonstrated a greater effect than did the individual berries on Heliobacter pylori infection, which has been increasing linked development of gastrointestinal ulcer.
Red wine and its grape predecessors certainly contain an array of flavonoids, including anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, and have shown promise in limiting heart disease, cancer and inflammation; but, most of these health benefits are primarily attributed to the phytochemical resveratrol, which is not in the class of flavonoids, but is categorized with the stillbenes. However, grape seed extract (GSE) has a long list of benefits not necessarily credited to resveratrol. In various studies, GSE has discouraged atherosclerosis; enhances the antioxidant status and decreased the incidence of free radical-induced lipid peroxidation in the central nervous system of aged rats; and demonstrated the potential to protect against future age-related dementia by influencing specific proteins in healthy brains.
In fact, a wide spectrum grape extract comprising grape skins and seeds (as BioVin from Cyvex Nutrition) was found to deliver as much proanthocyanin, anthocyanin and trans-resveratrol content as one glass of red wine. Also, a IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (as Activin from San Joaquin Valley Concentrates) has demonstrated inhibition of cell adhesion molecules in inflammation; researchers concluded this GSE may help significantly in the treatment of skin rashes, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and other inflammatory health concerns. In other research, Activin GSE reduced systolic blood pressure (BP) in normal and hypertensive rats. Additionally, three proprietary studies funded by Polyphenolics Inc. (a division of Constellation Wines) in 2005 showed anthocyanin and proanthocyanidins-rich GSE (as MegaNatural Gold) reduced arterial cholesterol accumulation caused by a high fat diet, and inhibited coconut oil saturated fatty acids from causing aortic endothelial dysfunction.
As evidenced, the flavonoid content of grapes, cranberries, green tea, may inhibit neurodegeneration, colon cancer, pancreatic fibrosis, and breast cancer, likely through its antioxidant effects. The antioxidant effects of tea polyphenols are not limited to green tea; a study from Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey, showed supplementation of rats with black tea for 10 weeks protected the animals plasma proteins, plasma, liver and kidney lipids against oxidation.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
***BeautynHealth.com provides the above amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants produced by FTH and Montiff Nutraceutical companies and Coral Inc. FTH L Tryptophan has been shown to be helpful for inducing sleep and relaxation. The purity of these brands greatly surpasses the minimum requirements for USP (United States Pharmacopeia), JP (Japanese Pharmacopeia) and EP (European Pharmacopeia).
