The Importance of Characterization in Nutraceuticals

Understanding Nutraceuticals

The careful characterization and research of a nutraceutical are essential to substantiate any claims regarding its health benefits. A recent review published in the Nutrition Journal explores the journey of Masquelier’s grape seed extract, tracing its origins from isolation in 1947 to its current status as a recognized nutraceutical.

Creating Effective Nutraceuticals

To validate the health claims associated with a food product, the initial step is its thorough characterization. Particularly for plant-derived supplements, it is crucial that the product is well-researched and demonstrated to offer significant health benefits. Three fundamental criteria must be met:

1. The product must be well characterized.
2. The claimed effect should be clearly defined and provide a physiological benefit.
3. A clear cause-and-effect relationship must exist between the intake of the food product and its health claims.

The review in Nutrition Journal specifically discusses the botanical preparation of monomeric and oligomeric flavan-3-ols from grape seeds, showcasing its evolution into a nutraceutical with established health benefits. Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources that offer additional health advantages beyond basic nutrition and are typically standardized, akin to pharmaceutical-grade nutrients.

Masquelier’s Grape Seed Extract: An Overview

Components of Masquelier’s Extract

Masquelier’s Original OPCs (Anthogenol) are commercial herbal remedies derived from monomeric and oligomeric flavan-3-ols, extracted from grape seeds. Flavonoids, the bioactive compounds in this extract, were first isolated in the early 20th century and are found abundantly in various plant sources. Among fruits, berries contain the highest levels of flavanols, which are prevalent in many vegetables and plant-based foods such as wine, cocoa beans, and legumes.

Benefits of Flavanol Supplementation

Given the variability in daily dietary flavanol intake among individuals, a supplement like Masquelier’s Original OPCs can provide consistent health benefits through regulated concentrations. Unlike many herbal remedies available on the market, Masquelier’s grape seed preparation undergoes rigorous standardization using HPLC and H-NMR/PCA fingerprinting, ensuring high-quality plant extracts.

Physiological Benefits and Cause-and-Effect Relationship

Health Benefits of Grape Seed Extract

The second essential criterion for a nutraceutical is demonstrating a physiological benefit. Research indicates that grape seed extract supports human vascular health by maintaining vascular homeostasis. The benefits stem from flavanols’ ability to protect collagen and elastin fibers, offer antioxidant properties, and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects.

Establishing Cause-and-Effect

The third requirement involves establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between the supplement and the observed health effects. Studies on Masquelier’s grape seed extract reveal that the mode of action of flavanols in commercial preparations aligns with those initially isolated in the 1940s.

Nutraceuticals in Lifestyle Medicine

Masquelier’s Original OPCs exemplify how dedicated research can transform a botanical ingredient into a viable nutritional supplement. The extensive characterization and investigation of flavanols clarify their potential application as both a herbal remedy and a nutraceutical aimed at enhancing vascular health.

Reference

Weseler AR, Bast A. Masquelier’s grape seed extract: from basic flavonoid research to a well-characterized food supplement with health benefits. Nutr J. 2017;16(1):5. Published 2017 Jan 19. doi:10.1186/s12937-016-0218-1.