By James Greenblatt, MD 

It’s easy to think of the brain as a spongy mass but it’s more like a big bulb with a pulsing parade of electrical waves—alpha, beta, delta, theta—that send communications from one mass of neurons to another, unifying the regions of the brain to produce experience.

OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) are plant extracts that can affect brain waves. OPCs are a type of polyphenol—a compound that plants produce to protect themselves from environmental harm. Oftentimes, the polyphenol is a plant pigment: the blue in blueberry; the red in grapes; the green in green tea; the dark brown in dark chocolate.

For humans, the most helpful molecules in OPCs are flavanols, a type of antioxidant. Flavanols easily enter human cells, including brain cells, and efficiently reduce oxidation. In fact, OPCs are stronger antioxidants than either vitamin C or vitamin E—two nutrients known for fighting oxidation.

Over the decades, I have prescribed OPCs to hundreds of children affected by ADHD and have seen the supplement dramatically normalize brain waves—and behavior. While the mechanism of action is still unclear, there are several theories on how OPCs optimize brain waves, based on cellular and animal research:

• Regulate levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine—neurotransmitters that direct the flow of information within the brain; irregular levels can undermine focus.
• Limit the production of glutamate—an excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitter that is toxic in large quantities.
• Slow the production and release of histamine—a neurotransmitter and inflammatory biochemical released during allergic reactions. Some children with ADHD have a mutation in the gene that breaks down histamine, leading to stronger allergic reactions to food dyes and other artificial ingredients—reactions that can trigger the symptoms of ADHD.
• Protect the fat-rich cells of the brain from lipid peroxidation—a kind of internal rust generated by renegade molecules called reactive oxygen species or free radicals. These molecules are formed by factors such as pollutants, stress, smoking, and diets high in sugar. Antioxidants like OPCs stabilize free radicals.
• Strengthen the delicate blood-brain barrier, keeping neurotoxins like pesticides and food additives out of the brain.
• Improve blood flow to the brain, helping deliver crucial brain-supporting nutrients like zinc.
• Absorb and disarm metals that can harm the brain, including lead.
• Boost enzymes that decrease inflammation in the brain.

Scientific Support for the Brain-Balancing Power of OPCs

Researchers who have put OPCs to the test have seen the biggest benefits in attention, with OPCs effectively treating symptoms like lack of focus, distractibility, poor concentration, weak memory, and disorganization. The discovery of OPCs can actually be traced back to 1534, when French explorer Jacques Cartier and his crew were saved from scurvy by Native Americans who made them tea from pine bark and needles. 

Fast-forward four centuries to 1947 when French doctor Jack Masquelier read Cartier’s journal. Masquelier reasoned that pine bark and needles couldn’t have contained enough vitamin C to have saved Cartier and his crew, and he began to look for other components of pine bark that could have made the lifesaving difference. That search led him to be the first scientist to identify and isolate OPCs in pine bark, peanuts, and grapes—and the first to create OPC supplements, one with pine bark extract and one with grape extract.¹

Pine Bark Extract—Evergreen Energy for the Ailing Brain

Over the decades, the best studied OPC for ADHD is pine bark extract, which is mainly marketed as the supplement Pycnogenol. Studies show that children with ADHD who took Pycnogenol had increased alertness and focus; decreased impulsivity, restlessness, aggression, and disruptive behavior; and improved cooperation with parents and teachers.

Here are the results from several standout studies on ADHD and Pycnogenol:

• Normalizing neurotransmitters. Taking Pycnogenol for a month balanced neurotransmitters in ADHD children, according to European researchers writing in Nutritional Neuroscience.²
• Less oxidation, better attention. ADHD children who took Pycnogenol for one month had higher levels of antioxidants, lower levels of oxidation, and “improvement of attention,” reported scientists in Free Radical Research.³
• Better focus and concentration in 30 days. In another study, 61 children with ADHD took Pycnogenol. After one month, researchers noted improvements in distractibility, focus, and hyperactivity.⁴ Doctors and parents should consider the “use of Pycnogenol as a natural supplement to relieve ADHD symptoms,” concluded the researchers in European Child and Adolescent Psychology.
• Clearer thinking, stronger memory, sharper focus, better mood in non-ADHD students on Pycnogenol. Fifty-three high school, college, and graduate students took Pycnogenol or a placebo.⁵ After two months, those taking Pycnogenol experienced all the mental and emotional benefits listed above—and had higher test scores, too.⁶

Green Tea Extract—A Sip of Pure Healing

Green tea extract protects and energizes the brain in several ways:

• More beta waves, better attention. Brain wave activity increases in the hour after drinking green or black tea—including an increase in the beta waves that are linked to better attention, according to a study in Nutritional Neuroscience.⁷
• Better intrabrain connections—and more ability to stay on task. A brain scan showed that people who took green tea extract had improved neural connections between different parts of the brain—and also had improved short-term memory and mental performance, reported scientists in Psychopharmacology.⁸
• A shield against brain-battering stress. In an animal experiment, stress caused loss of brain cells, and impaired memory and learning—unless the animals were also given EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)—the most powerful antioxidant in green tea.⁹
• More mental power, fewer mental mistakes. White tea is also rich in EGCG—and for one hour after drinking white tea, people had less mental fatigue and made fewer errors on a math test, reported researchers from the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre in England.¹⁰
• Boosting BDNF—a protein that powers the brain. In a laboratory study by Japanese scientists, giving newborn animals L-theanine—an amino acid in green tea—boosted BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF protects neurons from harm, helps neurons create new cell-to-cell connections, and generates new neurons. The animals getting L-theanine also had better memory.¹¹

Blueberry Extract—Berry, Berry Good for a Child’s Brain

There are many studies on the power of blueberries and blueberry extracts to improve failing memory in middle-aged and older people. Now, new research out of England shows blueberries can improve memory in children, too—a huge benefit for forgetful ADHD children. In fact, blueberry extract improved a wide range of mental abilities.

In one study, 21 children, ages seven to ten, drank either a beverage with blueberry extract (15 or 30 grams) or a non-blueberry look-alike beverage.¹² Over the next three hours, the children underwent a series of tests to measure mental ability. Those who ingested blueberry extract had better results on every test: remembering words; recognizing words; responding quickly to a mental challenge; controlling behavior in order to complete a mental task; and problem-solving. And those who got the 30-gram dose of blueberry outperformed those who got 15 grams. 

In another study from the same team of researchers, 14 children, ages eight to ten, drank either blueberry extract or a non-blueberry lookalike.¹³ Two hours after they drank the beverages, the children took several tests to measure mental ability—and the children who consumed blueberry did far better remembering newly learned words.

Treat Your Child’s Brain—to Dark Chocolate

Ounce for ounce, dark chocolate delivers more brain-balancing flavanols than any other food. And study for study, research shows that approximately one ounce of dark chocolate supports brain health.

In a study of 18 children, with an average age of ten, getting a dose of dark chocolate lowered brain inflammation from urban pollution and improved short-term memory, according to a study in Frontiers in Pharmacology.¹⁴ 

In another study of young adults, ages 18 to 25, eating dark chocolate (60 percent cacao) improved focus and concentration.¹⁵ Eating dark chocolate can increase attention—particularly in students who can’t pay attention, noted Larry Stevens, PhD, a study researcher and professor of psychology at Northern Arizona University.¹⁶

Studies show dark chocolate can:

• Increase blood flow to the brain
• Decrease inflammation in the brain
• Improve neurotransmission
• Boost BDNF, a protein that protects and energizes neurons
• Guard neurons from neurotoxins

As a tasty lunchtime or after-school treat, enjoy one ounce of dark chocolate with a handful of protein-rich almonds to balance the sugar.

How to Use OPCs

Over the decades I’ve increasingly found that the best way to treat with OPCs is to use a combination of OPCs rather than just one. In fact, I conducted an informal study in my office, tracking brain waves after giving (1) a supplement with one OPC or (2) a supplement with many OPCs. The multi-OPC supplement produced far more beta waves. 

Curcumin is part of the multi-OPC supplement since studies show it supports brain health—decreasing neuroinflammation and balancing neurotransmitters, ultimately leading to improved attention, alertness, and memory. Curcumin has also been shown to affect emotions: people who take the extract regularly are calmer and more content. Finally, curcumin helps people resist fatigue from psychological stress.

Safety

In twenty-five years of treating with OPCs, I’ve never seen a side effect. However, it’s theoretically possible a patient could have an unexpected allergic reaction to a plant-based extract like an OPC. If your child develops hives after they start taking an OPC supplement, stop the supplement. But it’s likely the only “side effect” will be greater attention and composure.

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A pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, James M Greenblatt, MD, has treated patients since 1988. After receiving his medical degree and completing his psychiatry residency at George Washington University, Greenblatt completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Medical School. Greenblatt currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Walden Behavioral Care in Waltham, MA and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine. Learn more at JamesGreenblattMD.com

Well Being Journal adapted this excerpt from Finally Focused: The Breakthrough Natural Treatment Plan for ADHD That Restores Attention, Minimizes Hyperactivity, and Helps Eliminate Drug Side Effects by James Greenblatt, MD. Copyright © 2017 by Harmony and reprinted by permission of author.

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