X-Message-Number: 22041
From: 
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2003 08:12:58 EDT
Subject: Copal as food additive

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There is the well known theory of oxidative stress in the ageing problem. 

Vitamin C, E, ... are used as anti-oxidants, flavonoids found in red fruits are
said to be even better. Then there is the French paradox: French citizens with 
unhealthy food consumption patern have a long life if they drink a lot of 
wine. That was traced down to a class of anti-oxidant products found in grappe 

seeds. The same product familly is found in the bark of conifer trees. It is 
sold 
under the trade name of "pycnogenol". That soluble bark extract is in fact 
the dryed return sap of the tree going back to the roots.

Copal is this same bark bleed return sap, it is what is sold a enormous price 
under the pycnogenol trade name.

So, if you are interested in anti-oxidant food additives why not use copal 
directly? Some years ago, I bought some pycnogenol in 30 mg capsules, 60 of 

them, less than 2 g of active product cost me many dollars. Copal is far 
cheaper.

I found from personal experience that 30mg capsules had very limited effect, 
it may be as 100 mg ascorbic acid (vitamin C). To have some general health 
effect I need at least 1 g /day. At that level I would use a full pycnogenol 
bottle every other day, far too costly for me. So, copal was the solution.

I think it could be included in health care products, such anti wrinkle 

lotions. I have not tested that but similar products are on the market, based on

grape seed extracts. Who want to create such a business? The idea is free, I can
send copal by the tons.

Yvan Bozzonetti.

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