Flavay® has been sold worldwide forvascular health and extensively tested in humans for more than 60 years. The vascular protective activity of Flavay® has been established by many significant studies, demonstrating several important ways in which Flavay® may mitigate the risk of heart attack and stroke. (1-4)

When we are under stress, our adrenaline flows and causes our blood vessels to constrict, increasing blood pressure, and blood platelets are activated—prepared to clump together to form a clot. This "fight or flight response" is appropriate in short-term dangerous situations. The blood platelets are prepared for an injury to more quickly form a blood clot and more efficiently prevent blood loss. (3,8)

Chronic stress causes constant constriction of blood vessels and continuously "sticky" blood platelets, always prepared to form a clot. These are classic risk factors for heart disease and stroke. When blood vessels are constricted there is less area for the blood to flow through and atherosclerotic plaque may further reduce the space for blood flow. If some blood platelets stick together and form a clot, the vessel may be completely clogged and surrounding tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. This is how a heart attacks and strokes develop. (3,8)

Research shows that Flavay® improves nitric oxide levels produced by cells that line the arteries. Nitric oxide controls the muscles surrounding the blood vessels and causes them to relax. At the same time, nitric oxide causes blood platelets to return to their normal, smooth condition. (10,103,202)

Flavay® inhibits platelet aggregation by inhibiting the enzymes thromboxane A2, 5-lipoxygenase and other clotting compounds. The good news is that Flavay® protects the blood platelets without an increased risk of bleeding and other common side effects of aspirin. (10,103,202)

Aspirin is widely prescribed by doctors to prevent heart attacks because of its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase. However, Flavay® works differently. Flavay® supports the body's own production of nitric oxide—helping the body to produce adequate levels and thereby causing the blood platelets to return to their normal, smooth condition. (10103,202)

Flavay® and the Nitric Oxide Connection

Nitric oxide is a colorless gas produced by different cells in the body that, depending on the situation, can be very good or very bad. Nitric oxide plays several important roles in the body:

• Nitric oxide is an important signaling molecule that turns genes on and off.
• By controlling the muscular tone of blood vessels, nitric oxide regulates the circulation and normalizes blood flow.
• Nitric oxide modulates communication between brain cells and is instrumental in helping us concentrate and learn new information, and also in maintaining memory.
• When produced by immune cells, nitric oxide fights infection, kills tumor cells and promotes wound healing.
• Nitric oxide is essential for perceiving pleasure and pain, and it helps translate sexual excitement into penile erections.
• Nitric oxide aids in digestion of food by helping to control gastric movements. (203,204)

But nitric oxide can be very destructive under other circumstances:

• Nitric oxide restricts blood flow.
• When produced in excess by immune cells, nitric oxide can trigger chronic inflammation, which can cause arthritis, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and possibly cancer.
• Nitric oxide promotes production of more free radicals.
• In the brain, nitric oxide can hamper mental function and cause memory loss and brain aging. (203,204)

The real trouble starts when nitric oxide encounters the superoxide free radical and becomes peroxynitrate, which destroys antioxidants like glutathione, vitamin E and common flavonoids, and damages proteins in the body. The good news is that Flavay® scavenges peroxynitrate and has a remarkable modulatory effect on nitric oxide—helping to maintain optimal levels in the body and neutralizing this free radical where it does harm. (10,103,202)

What makes Flavay® superior to other extracts?

More than 60 years of solid scientific research, patents and clinical studies, rigorous manufacturing controls and comprehensive identity testing to safeguard quality and consistency, Flavay® is produced at the same French manufacturing facilities for pharmaceutical over-the-counter and dietary supplement uses worldwide. Flavay® is the name you can trust for pure and unadulterated authentic small-cluster OPCs manufactured in France for over 60 years.

Proanthocyanidin clusters must have a certain molecular size to be effective.

Oligomeric (small-cluster) proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are organic clusters of dimers (2), trimers (3), tetramers (4) and pentamers (5)—and no larger. (Larger clusters are non-nutritive: cannot pass the intestinal tract into the blood and too large to fit between collagen fibrils, and therefore unable to repair decayed collagen.) Dr. Masquelier received several patents for the commercial extraction and isolation of OPCs from pine bark and grape seeds. It is these highly defined complexes in Flavay® that have been subject to intensive biological, toxicological, pharmacological and analytical research; and approved in Europe as over-the-counter medicines. (2-4)