grapeseed/pycnogenol opc-3

[losingmysanity]

Hi! I've just spoke to someone who has their child on OPC-3 which is an anti oxident (grapeseed/pycnogenol)
and they swear by it. Said they took him off ritalin and that after taking this he grew 5 inches because Ritalin stunts growth (does it?) and was able to focus and calm down by just taking this.
Here is the description from the website:

OPC-3 is a powerful combination of plant derived bioflavonoids, know as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC's). It is made from a combination of grape seed, pine bark and red wine extracts in addition to bilberry and citrus extracts. These OPC's are super effective free radical neutralizers. They are not limited to being strong antioxidants, they are also crucial in their role in supporting the circulatory system and strengthening the capillaries. OPC-3 is a natural food supplement that should be taken for a lifetime.

Anybody heard of this before?
thanks and happy new year to all!

[AustinsMom]

In the book "The ADD Nutrition Solution: A Drug-Free 30 Day Plan" by Marcia Zimmerman, C.N., she recommends OPC's, specifically Masquelier's OPC's. According to her, OPC's are "nature's antihistamine". Many with ADHD have allergies and they cause histamine release that increases fluid around brain cells, impairing function. OPC's protect Vit. c and enhance its antioxidant effects and coenzyme effects, especially in the brain and eyes. She says they also affect the metabolic enzymes that regulate neurotransmitters in ways that are not entirely clear although they are now being studies extensively. They readily pass the blood brain barrier and have been shown to inhibit breakdown of the catecholamine neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine, and moderate the activity of cellular enzymes which improves the processing of information.

A research team in Tulsa found 27 adults/kids with ADHD scored as well when they were taking the OPC's as when they were scored previously when taking Ritaliln. Marian Sigurdson, Ph.D. directed this trial which found it to reduce hyperactivity and increase attn. and focus as well as ritalin. That is probably the study your friend was referring to. A James Greenblatt, M.D., a child psychiatrist in Boston also has report success in reducing ADHD symptoms with OPC's. He uses biofeedback, and found that they reduced the number of theta waves-the daydreaming state--in his young patients so their attention was increased.

In August when I started supplements with ds8, I was following this 30 day plan. Since then I have made some changes based on other things I have read, and stopped the OPC's. It wasn't really on purpose; the pill is a octogon like shape and ds complained it often got stuck in his throat. He became resistant to it, so it eventually got dropped. But after rereading the section on it, it makes me rethink that. Because I do remember that ds was much better when things began to take effect. Then we had the big strattera melt down, and it seems like we can't get back to that place yet. I hadn't even really realized I'd dropped the OPC's. I'm sure I still have some, so I just might add those back in....

Regarding ritalin stunting growth: This is a common issue. I know it definitely can affect appetite, and common sense would dictate that if you eat less, you will weigh less but would that translate to being shorter? Psychiatrists all maintain that growth will catch up when you stop the med. They point to studies that indicate no decrease in height over the long haul. But when we used stimulants, this was a major worry with me. Ds ate less and his growth was definately slow. It was a constant worry for me though, and a trigger for us to switch to strattera. But his appetite wasn't much better on strattera. We have been off meds for several months, and it seems like his appetite is just now beginning to get back to normal. He's gained 4 lbs.; I haven't measured height. So even though I was assured it would not permanently stunt growth I worried about it anyway....

[catatonic]

I think the grapeseed extract looks like it has a lot of potential to be helpful and healthful. I've hesitated giving it to my boy for two reasons.

First, we follow the Feingold program and have discovered that salicylates are a problem for Challenge Boy. Both grapeseed extract and pycnogenol contain salicylates, so I'm afraid that they would make his behavior worse.

Second, in looking at some information on high-histamine and low-histamine, my boy better fits the low-histamine profile. Grapeseed extract, as an anti-histamine, would further lower these levels. So again, I'm afraid that I might make him worse by giving it to him.

I'm a big chicken and don't want to provoke any behavioral deterioration, since the behavior we already have is enough of a challenge for me. So despite the fact that I have a bottle of grapeseed extract sitting in my vitamin cupboard, I haven't had the nerve to try it yet.

high histamine: www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C447056.html

low histamine: www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C376825.html