while normally, most of you wouldn't use this often, as
i do, perhaps you should?
can you say "pycnogenols", the natural healer of the decade circa 1990's?DESCRIPTION
Catechins belong to the flavan-3-ol class of flavonoids. Green tea catechins are the flavan-3-ols found in green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). The major four catechins in green tea leaves are (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epicatechin (EC). They are all polyphenolic substances. Black tea leaves have a much lower content of these catechins. That's because black tea leaves undergo extensive fermentation, during which the majority of the catechins are enzymatically oxidized to the major pigments of black tea leaves, theaflavin and thearubigen.
The green tea catechins make up approximately 30% of the dry weight of green tea leaves. Of the catechins, EGCG is the most abundant one in green tea leaves. Green tea, an aqueous infusion of green tea leaves, has been a popular beverage in China and Japan for centuries. In these countries, it is thought that green tea has a number of health-promoting benefits, and it is used in the management of various disorders. Epidemiological studies suggest that green tea may have cancer chemopreventive, as well as anti-atherogenic, properties.
The possible health benefits of green tea are attributed to the catechins. These polyphenolic substances are antioxidants. EGCG appears to be the most potent antioxidant of all the green tea catechins
from:http://www.gettingwell.com/drug_info/nm ... 0319.shtml
""pycnogenols" from the Greek "pycno" meaning to "thicken or...In grape seed extract, these precursors are known as catechins "
http://www.chsir.com/grape_seed.htm
good to know!TERMINOLOGY
OPC extract contains individual units called catechins. When catechins occur individually, they are called monomers. When linked together in pairs, they are called "dimers" and when in three's, "trimers." He named the mixture "pycnogenols" from the Greek "pycno" meaning to "thicken or condense," "gen" meaning "to generate" and "ol" from their chemical name.
[url=http://www.chsir.com/opc-super.htm]see also OPC-super]/url]
hmmmm OPC sounds familiar.......
catechin
Dictionarycat·e·chin (kăt'ĭ-kĭn')
n.
A crystalline substance, C15H14O6, derived from catechu and used in tanning and dyeing. Also called catechol.
[CATECH(U) + –IN.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2004, 2000 by
Wikipedia=Catechin
Catechin is a bioflavonoid and a powerful anti-oxidant. The best source of catechin is white tea, with green tea coming close. Catechin is believed to have some value in fighting tumors as well as enhancing immune system function.
U.S. Life Expectancy
Year Male Female
1900 48.2 51.1
1940 60.8 65.2
1950 65.6 71.1
1960 66.6 73.3
1970 67.1 74.7
1980 70.0 77.4
1990 71.8 78.8
1996 73.0 79.0
Source: Dept of Health and Human Services
Katy