One way joints are damaged is by free radicals attacks . Thus, a number of studies attempt to stop pain and halt the progress of the disease by using free radical scavengers in strong doses. A free radical is an unstable molecule, often a form of oxygen, that reacts with other molecules in a destructive way. An excess of free radicals can cause different medical conditions, depending on which tissues are attacked . OPC's are concentrated in fibrous parts of fruits and vegetables and are often destroyed by cooking.
Antioxidants protect our cells from unhealthy oxidation by free radicals.
Many components of a healthy diet are, in fact, antioxidants. The two most well known antioxidants are vitamin C and vitamin E. Thousands of research reports have been published in scientific journals all around the world about their importance to health. One begins to understand the value of OPC's when learning they are as much as 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E in their ability to provide antioxidant protection. What's more, while performing their protective function, these two vitamin antioxidants are chemically altered, neutralizing their antioxidant function. If the fish oil is helpful in reducing stiffness and pain, there's a good chance you'll be able to reduce the dosages of pharmaceuticals.