Researchers have proven that 300 mg/day of MegaNatural® Gold grape seed extract increases volunteers' blood antioxidant capacity beyond that which is theoretically possible based upon the antioxidant capacity of grape seed alone. This same grape seed extract has also demonstrated significant synergism when tested with the antioxidant vitamins C and E.

Dr. Joseph A. Vinson of the University of Scranton presented these findings at the 219^th American Chemical Society National Meeting, which took place in San Francisco on March 26-30, 2000. He pointed out that antioxidant vitamins are present in the human body at levels typically twenty to several hundred times those of plant polyphenols, the active antioxidant compounds found in tea and grape juice. Nevertheless, he and other scientists now suspect that many of the benefits derived from eating diets high in fruits and vegetables may be the results of synergism between these polyphenols and the better-known vitamin antioxidants. In one study volunteers fasted overnight and then were given either eight ounces of a sugar-sweetened soft drink alone or in combination with 300 mg of MegaNatural Gold grape seed extract. Blood samples were taken over a four hour period and analyzed for antioxidant levels. The degree of impact upon plasma TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) by MegaNatural Gold grape seed extract is significantly greater than the amount that would be expected from the extract's ability to scavenge free radicals and prevent oxidation alone.

To get a better handle on the mechanism involved, Dr. Vinson performed a series of in vitro tests. These tests used the standard cupric-ion generation of LDL+VLDL oxidation to look at the impact of combining MegaNatural Gold with the vitamins C and E to gauge the synergy of combining these antioxidants. This in vitro model simulates the initiating step in atherosclerosis and is a measure of the inhibition of LDL and VLDL oxidation.

Vitamins C and E and MegaNatural Gold were tested individually to determine their baseline effects at several concentrations. These baselines were added to yield the "Sum of Individual Inhibitions" which were then compared with the "Actual Inhibitions When Tested Together." The Actual Inhibitions when tested together minus the Sum of Individual Inhibitions times 100 yielded the percent of synergism. This series of in vitro tests thus allowed Dr. Vinson to demonstrate the concentrations of maximal synergisms among the three antioxidants. Strong synergism was shown for MegaNatural Gold plus vitamin C and for MegaNatural Gold plus vitamin E.

Recommended Synergistic Ratios of Antioxidants
Maximum levels of synergism were found with the following ratios (MegaNatural Gold: weight of relevant vitamin):

MegaNatural Gold: Vitamin C
1 part: 1 to 2 parts
Synergism: 77 to 127%

MegaNatural Gold: Vitamin E
1 part: 15 to 30 parts
Synergism: 88 to 125%

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