Isontonix® OPC-3 is a souped-up version of a pine bark extract called OPC, or oligomeric proanthocyanidins. The creators of the OPC-3 antioxidant, Market America, have added a few other bioflavinoids to the mix—primarily red wine extract and grape seed extract, rounded out with extracts from bilberry and a blend of citrus fruits. These bioflavinoids help promote collagen renewal for increased firmness of the skin and joint cartilage. The supplement is said to reduce stress, increase cardiovascular health, prevent damage from free radicals, and offer a number of other benefits.
Antioxidant Benefits
One of the key benefits of OPC-3 is the prevention of damage from free radicals to the body’s healthy cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have an uneven number of electrons. In attempting to bind with stable molecules by taking an electron, they make stable molecules unstable, destroying the health of those molecules. This results in tissue damage that can cause cancer and accelerate the aging process. As an antioxidant, OPC-3 can safely interact with free radicals and stop the destabilizing chain reaction from occurring.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
OPC-3 is also an anti-inflammatory supplement used to reduce stress and menstrual cramps, as well as improve blood circulation, skin complexion and eye health. The anti-inflammatory properties are also useful for pain relief, being used for joint pain, general cramps and abdominal pain. OPC-3 is also claimed to prevent cardiovascular disease glucose imbalances and elevated cholesterol levels.
Taking Isotonix OPC-3
Bottles of Isotonix OPC-3 are sold online and in health food stores in 30-serving and 90-serving sizes, with an average cost of $30 and $70 respectively. The recommended loading dose is two to three capfuls (servings), while the long-term maintenance dose is two capfuls. Each capful of the Market America product is 3.4 g, containing 25 mg of each of the five extracts.
Unlike the older OPC powdered product that was developed in France, OPC-3 is sold exclusively in liquid form. Antioxidants taken in liquid form tend to be more easily absorbed by the body than tablets or powder-based supplements. Though antioxidants are most easily absorbed in whole foods (i.e. a well balanced diet), it would be extremely difficult to get the same concentration that would be consumed by taking OPC-3 on a regular basis.
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There are a lot of bodybuilding supplements available today that help people get the muscular bodies they’ve always wanted. There are steroids that come in tablet form such as anapolon tablets and nitric oxide supplements but the one that’s becoming the most popular weight gain supplement is the protein supplements. Protein supplements can be seen in different forms including ready-to-drink beverage, gel, bars, and the most in demand – protein powder.
Protein powder is the most popular and in demand form of protein supplements because with it, you can experiment and do lots of different flavored drinks. What you only need is either milk or water to dissolve the powder into, and then add some other ingredients like fruits so you have more options to add more flavor to it. There are protein powders that are already flavored with fruits so only need to add water. It can be served hot or cold. Another option is making shakes using different protein shake recipes.
Studies have shown that although we can get protein from every day foods like nuts, fish, eggs and oats, they are not enough to yield dramatic muscle gain, that’s why you need protein supplements to increase your protein intake and therefore, increase your chances of building up more muscles.
Protein Powder Sources
Protein powders are derived from different protein rich sources or a combination of them including whey, casein, egg, soy and hemp seeds. These are natural foods where protein is extracted and then turned into powder.
Top Protein Powder Brands
Since there are more and more people who are turning into bodybuilders and there are some who wish to gain more weight quickly because they lost some due to illness or injury, many brands are coming out in the market. The best protein powder brands that are most sought after include Protein Combat Powder, 100% Whey, IsoPro Ultra Lean, Muscle Milk Collegiate, ISS Complete Whey Powder, and many others. If you want to see more brands, you can search online and you’ll see a longer list of products and weight loss supplements.
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If you are planning to undergo a gastric bypass operation in order to loss a significant amount of weight, you absolutely need to be prepared for the gastric bypass diet that you will be on for the rest of your life. The main reason why you will lose weight after the surgery is because of the strict diet you will be forced to live by. It is essential that you only eat small portions of food that are easy to digest. Your stomach will be drastically reduced in size and you will feel full a lot quicker. If you try to eat more than you are supposed to you risk tearing the staples or band that is put in place at the time of the operation. Gastric bypass complications can be very dangerous and even fatal, so you really need to be ready to commit to this type of diet before you make the decision to go ahead with the surgery.
For most patients the first 90 days are the most difficult part of a gastric bypass diet. After the operation you will not be able to eat or drink anything for one or two days. This will be followed by a brief period where you can only ingest liquids like water, juice, or broths. Even the liquid you drink at this time must be taken in extremely small amounts. Your doctor will gradually upgrade you to finely blended foods, followed by soft foods, and finely you will be able to eat normal food, but still in very small portions.
You also need to be aware that the food you are used to eating may not take too well in your newly shrunken stomach. You will have to experiment with different types of food, one at a time to see what you are used to as well as different weight loss supplements to aid you in the nutrients that you may be deficient in. Proper research and careful planning will aid you on your way to a healthy lifestyle.