Home Ingredients Masquelier's® Original OPCs
AntioxidantCardiovascular

Masquelier's® Original OPCs

Pinus pinaster
Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Masquelier's® Original OPCs is the original oligomeric proanthocyanidin extract from French pine bark and grape, developed by OPC pioneer Jacques Masquelier. OPCs are potent antioxidants supporting vascular and cellular health.

Studied Dose Commonly 100 to 200 mg per day.
Active Compound Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) from French maritime pine bark and grape.

Benefits

Antioxidant defense

French maritime pine bark is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), among the most potent plant antioxidants, protecting cells and blood vessels.

Supported by Trial 1

Circulation and vascular support

Pine bark OPCs are studied for supporting healthy blood-vessel function and circulation, including cardiometabolic markers.

Supported by Trial 1

Skin and recovery support

By countering oxidative stress, pine bark OPCs are also studied for skin and recovery support.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

OPC antioxidant action

Pine bark proanthocyanidins scavenge free radicals and support the body's antioxidant enzymes, protecting blood vessels and tissues.

2

Nitric-oxide support

Pine bark OPCs support nitric-oxide-mediated blood-vessel relaxation, aiding healthy circulation.

Clinical trials

1
Pine Bark (Pycnogenol) and Cardiometabolic Health — Meta-Analysis
PubMed

Systematic review and meta-analysis of pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark) on cardiometabolic health. (Malekahmadi et al. 2019, Pharmacological Research)

Adults across multiple trials.

Pooled trials of Pycnogenol (a different branded pine-bark extract) showed small but significant improvements in cardiometabolic markers; the authors noted larger trials are warranted. No trial of Masquelier's Original OPCs itself was included.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated.
Mild digestive upset or dizziness is occasionally reported.
Take with food.

Important Drug interactions

Anticoagulants — OPCs may have a mild additive effect; monitor.
Blood pressure medication — possible additive effect; monitor.
Tell your doctor before surgery.

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Frequently asked questions about Masquelier's® Original OPCs

What is Masquelier's Original OPCs?

Masquelier's® Original OPCs is the original oligomeric proanthocyanidin extract from French pine bark and grape, developed by OPC pioneer Jacques Masquelier. OPCs are potent antioxidants supporting vascular and cellular health.

What is Masquelier's Original OPCs used for?

Masquelier's Original OPCs is researched primarily for Antioxidant and Cardiovascular. French maritime pine bark is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), among the most potent plant antioxidants, protecting cells and blood vessels.

What is the recommended dosage of Masquelier's Original OPCs?

The clinically studied dose is Commonly 100 to 200 mg per day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Masquelier's Original OPCs safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Masquelier's Original OPCs is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated. Mild digestive upset or dizziness is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. Masquelier's Original OPCs is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Masquelier's Original OPCs interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Anticoagulants — OPCs may have a mild additive effect; monitor. Blood pressure medication — possible additive effect; monitor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Masquelier's Original OPCs?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Masquelier's Original OPCs as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Malekahmadi M, Moradi Moghaddam O, Firouzi S, et al. Effects of pycnogenol on cardiometabolic health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacol Res. 2019;150:104472..PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of Pycnogenol, a different branded French maritime pine bark OPC extract; reported cardiometabolic effect sizes were small. Cited here as analog OPC data, not a trial of Masquelier's Original OPCs itself.