The majestic scenery of a healthy, vibrant and happy world can inspire a passion for natural products when you know how important they can be to this ideal. Of course, physicians are at the forefront of this evolution that I believe to be a revolution in the making. More and more doctors and clinical researchers are turning towards preventative medicine. They are doing so because they are at the heart of this transformation, which takes society from a passive role into an active one. It helps that pharmaceutical, nutriceutical and nutri- tional companies are producing natural products that both the media and governments are rallying around and even promoting allowing the general public to partake in this benefit to mankind. Science is measuring itself objectively against reality and it is finally agreeing with the premise that nature in itself is a force of significant powers. Matol is a serious nutritional company and its products are made of upscale, award winning and diligently tested products. Now these powerful products are championed by more and more health professionals who are learning the way and establishing the presence of these products in the day-to-day care of patients and healthy people alike. It is truly a remarkable event that Matol is fast becoming the meeting place of many of these health professionals. I would like to personally thank these forward thinking health professionals for helping each of us take charge of ourselves. It is through awareness, education and action that Matol will show the way.   One major connection to all degenerative diseases and their associated pain, is the "Free Radical" molecule. These free radical molecules are extremely reactive molecules that are so destructive, that they can actually damage the DNA in our cells. This damaged DNA is believed to be responsible for the initiation of premature aging, decay of body tissues and organs, cancer and eventually even death. Free radical damage to our cells is scientifically refered to as "oxidative stress." Hence the term "antioxidant" referring to the type of molecules that reverse or neutralize both the destructive effects of free radicals and the free radicals themselves. There are many different types of antioxidant molecules. For example, antioxidant enzymes or antioxidant vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and C or the minerals zinc and selenium. But the most outstanding is without question the authentic Masquelier™ OPCs Grape Seed Extract. Which brings me to another very important distinction. Masquelier's™ OPCs Grape Seed Extract is like no other grape seed extract anywhere in the world and is why Matol chose it for our new antioxidant, OPCs + II. OPCs is short for Oligomeric Proantho Cyanidin and were discovered by Dr. Jack Masquelier in 1947. As with any new discovery, it must be confirmed by other independent scientists and then named. This new discovery was subsequently confirmed by the prestigious scientist, Dr. Szent-Gyorygi who received a Nobel Prize in 1938 for the discovery of Vitamin C. OPCs is further defined as very specific molecules called dimers, trimers and tetrameres. Two Proanthocyanidin molecules joined together is a dime. Three proanthocyanidin molecules joined together is a trimere and four is a tetramere. Another way to say it is, dimeres, trimeres and tetrameres are collectively called OPCs. It can be derived from many sources like peanut skins, pine bark or grape seeds. It turns out that grape seeds are chemically and economically the better source. Professor Masquelier demonstrated that grape seed extract contains the GALLIC ESTER forms of OPCs. These compounds are very active free radical scavengers which are not present in pine bark extract. Today there are many generic "Grape Seed Extracts" sold in markets everywhere. But only Masquelier's™ authentic OPCs Grape Seed Extract contains the dimers, trimers and tetramers. This is an extremely important point because it is precisely these specific compounds that have been studied and acknowledged for their biological benefit. Chemically speaking the difference between ordinary and generic grape seed extract is the size of the molecule, which are simply too large to be as bioavailable or biologically active as Masquelier™ OPCs. So, don't be fooled by the inferior copycats. Dr. Masquelier's™ OPCs is the only grape seed extract with over 50 years of safety and efficacy studies. It is produced by an extraction method developed by Dr. Masquelier which he received a patent for in 1953. It is also the only grape seed extract that has pharmacological status in European countries. Masquelier's™ OPCs production is regulated by the French Ministry of Health to exact standards because they are used in three prescription drugs in France as a blood vessel protectant. To achieve this drug status, advanced human biological studies have been done to confirm its activity in the body. Rigorous quality control measures on the extraction process assure compliance with the French Ministry of Health and delivers consistent and precise quality of OPC Grape Seed Extract for Matol’s new antioxidant. In addition, results from studies with OPCs on human health conditions can be assured batch to batch over time. A condition rarely found in botanical products in today's market place. What this means for Matolians is that we have a superior product and can make structure and function claims as validated by these studies and submitted to the FDA. Our grape seed extract is made to very high pharmaceutical standards and regulated by a government agency. Thank you Matol! Biological Activity Masquelier proved OPCs is both soluble in water and oil. This allows penetration through cellular membranes and accounts for its 100% bioavailablity. Absorption from the digestive tract occurs in 10 minutes and is maximal in 45 minutes. Its biological half-life is five hours and is still more than a third of maximum after seven hours. Radiographic studies demonstrate migration of OPCs to organs and body tissues that include the brain, retina, cornea, nose, gums, lungs, heart, stomach, abdomen, arteries, veins, lymphatic vessels, skin, tendons, joints and bones. Masquelier's™ OPC has an impeccable safety record of worldwide use for nearly 50 years. Ames testing for mutagenicity has shown absolutely no mutagenic capability and is nontoxic. Masquelier's™ OPCs has been shown to: - Capture and neutralize oxygen free radicals associated with degenerative diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, tumors, atherosclerosis, hepatitis and dozens more. - Prevent the release of histamine and may result in decreased irritations associated with hay fever, asthma, allergies, common cold/runny nose, hives, bee stings, etc. - Nutritionally support the repair of collagen protein (skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and muscle) that may be associated with inflammation or damaged tissues, in arthritis, sprain/strain, tendinitis, fibromyalgia, back pain, colitis, bronchitis, prostatitis/benign prostate hypertrophy, fibrositis etc. - Improve blood vessel integrity and circulation associated with the breakdown of collagen protein and free radical damage, which are associated with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, strokes, heart attacks, phlebitis, dementia, edema/ bruising, varicose veins and aneurysms. - Help counter the cumulative effects of aging associated with the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers, contributing to the cause of facial lines and loose weakening skin. - Function as an antioxidant to chelate transition metals such as iron, zinc, manganese and copper that can become dangerous pro-oxidants in the body. OPCs scavenges free radicals at a greater rate than vitamin C or vitamin E, but do not replace the vital function of either vitamin. In fact another attribute of OPCs is its synergism with other antioxidants. OPCs acts to preserve vitamin C which only improves the bodies overall antioxidant capacity. In recognition of this synergism, Matol put two more powerful ingredients in OPCs + II, Acerola Cherry extract which is a rich and natural whole food source of vitamin C and Beta 1, 3-D Glucan. The added benefit, besides the vitamin C, is the extra micro nutrients contained within the fruit, like carotene, B vitamins and mineral salts. The Beta 1, 3-D Glucan is a very special glucose molecule extracted from the cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae. Beta 1, 3-D Glucan nutritionally supports the immune systems ability to effect macrophage activity. Macrophage is derived from white blood cells called monocytes and are protective cells that are typically found in the same connective and lymphatic tissues as OPCs, in your body. These very powerful immune system cells have the ability to help prevent free radical formation by engulfing viruses, bacteria, tissue cells and other foreign debris. By adding Beta 1, 3-D Glucan to Matol’s OPCs + II we've effectively added a new dimension to an antioxidant formula, and that new dimension is the immune system. This is a unique advantage for Matol because of the synergy with Matol’s other products supporting the immune system. OPCs + II is a unique and wonderful stand alone product, but also fits in perfectly with all the rest of our health pack supplements. The power in Matol's new OPCs + II comes from the special quality of each ingredient and the uniqueness of its combination. There is no other antioxidant like it. So do yourself a favor, indulge and feel the power!! Dr. Kris Van Oeveren attended California State University Sacramento and University of California Davis before entering Life West Chiropractic College. He realizes the need for a systematic approach to nutrition that could serve the needs of a wider range of health care professionals and their patients. He believes nutritional supplementation should complement our bodies physiological systems to improve and support our innate self healing capacity. I am a psychiatrist who practices integrated medicine as well. I am also an athlete and compete in triathlons. I was introduced to Matol®/Km® about ten years ago. My wife and I live in the country where we grow a lot of our own food, our well water is clean, we are very active athletically and I didn’t feel I needed to take any supplements. However, after a few days of taking Matol®/Km®, I noticed that I had more energy and I felt calmer and more alert. My wife was also taking it while she was training for a triathlon. She found that she had more energy and her legs wanted to run when she was out on the road. Several of the herbs found in Matol®/Km® tend to regulate the blood pressure in a helpful way, several of them are good for the kidneys and bladder, some are good for the gastro-intestinal tract, some are good for the liver, some tend to energize the central nervous system, and others tend to calm the central nervous system so that people have a relaxed alertness. Thyme is toted in some research as an anti-aging product and angelica root seems to help women’s hormonal fluctuations. Saw palmetto tends to help middle aged to older men in terms of prostate health. Matol®/Km® is a good source of minerals as well. It contains a lot of potassium which is good for cardiac functions and blood pressure. It is also high in magnesium and calcium and these minerals are protein bound. In other words, they are very accessible to the blood stream and body unlike some pills. This is an excellent product to help people feel better. Matol®/Km® is outstanding and is second to none. The incidence of degenerative disease, cancer, heart disease and chronic infectious disease continues to rise. Infectious disease, once believed to be totally controllable, is now increasing as a leading cause of death and illness. Clinically NK Cell activity, which is universally associated with the body’s ability to mount a defense against infectious agents, is either so low or even virtually absent in most patients’ tests. We are all vulnerable to serious diseases. I often say that because of low NK Cell activity, we are all “A BUG AWAY” from a devastating illness. Patients who understand this, appreciate how fragile and delicate the balance is between health and disease. They also understand the limitation of traditional medicine in stimulating their immune system to be able to combat their invaders (like bacteria, viruses, fungi, cancers, etc.) and seek the majority of their health strategies through “alternative” resources. A new form of medicine, known as “integrated” or “complementary,” is better able to address correcting Immune System problems by using the correct changes in nutrition, lifestyle, exercise and supplementation. Supplementation is a key factor in restoring the immune system and its ability to defend against disease provoking stresses that our bodies are subjected to on a daily basis. The supplements I strongly recommend to my patients at the Center for Complementary health are Matol® /Km®, Biomune OSF™ Plus, and OPC’s + II. We now have the tools to pro-actively correct the immune system by improving the NK Cell activity and decreasing the harmful formation of free radicals. These products are truly extraordinary and are a key link to optimal health and integrated/complementary medicine. I am a medical doctor who has had a busy holistic alternative health practice for the last 20 years. I am involved in treating all kinds of chronic, degenerative diseases including cancer, multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis, allergies, fibromayalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc. I have been using the Matol products for about 18 months and I am very impressed with what I have seen myself and with the results of my family, friends and patients. I rarely get sick, but after a long flight to Costa Rica on a vacation with my wife, I came down with severe flu symptoms. It started as a cold with sneezing and nasal congestion then progressed to a severe productive cough. I had some natural health products with me on the trip, but no Matol products. I took these products, but my cough did not improve. My first night back home, I started taking Matol’s Biomune OSF™ Plus and using the Express in my nose and mouth. The next morning I had the wonderful feeling that I was well rested and felt much better. To my amazement my cough and other upper respiratory symptoms were completely gone. What a nice surprise that was! I have not had much experience with the Matol products with patients, although I have been using Biomune OSF™ with all my cancer patients. One patient in particular comes to mind. A 30 year old male with lung cancer had been losing weight and throwing up blood. It’s still too early to make any firm conclusions, but I am very encouraged with what I have seen with these products. I am eagerly looking forward to using other products like Matol®/Km® with my patients in the near future. When I was first told about Matol®/Km®, I refused to listen. When I was introduced to FibreSonic®, I was impressed. As the former Medical director of a hospital-based weight loss program, I recognized right away that it was superior to any weight loss product available at the time. I needed to lose a few pounds and became a Distributor to receive a discount on the FibreSonic®. I lost 17 pounds and six inches on my waist in three months without being hungry! I was ecstatic! Almost everyone in the country needs to be using FibreSonic® on a daily basis. The recommended 30 to 35 grams of dietary fiber are almost impossible to get in our processed foods today. A high fiber diet reduces your risk of at least 10 kinds of cancer responsible for 72 percent of all cancer cases. It is estimated the incidence of cancer could be reduced by 35 percent by a national change in diet. This could save our health care system approximately $38 billion a year. A high fiber diet will also reduce most people’s cholesterol by an average of 50%. This will cause short-term reduction of the risk of heart attack by 20 percent. Over decades, this reduction in risk increases to 30%. This could save our health care system another $36 billion a year. When you add the potential saving in the costs of treating constipation, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, as well as kidney stones and gallstones, the savings are well over $100 billion a year. I hope this helps you understand our mission. We give people much more that a chance to make money. Matol gives them a chance to feel better, look better, be healthier and maybe even live longer.   Later, I finally agreed to try the Matol®/Km® for three months if the person never mentioned it again. That was years ago and I still take it daily. I was able to stop taking medicine that cost nearly $100 a month. This product amazes me! I wish I could tell you why, but if you share it with enough people you will know why. I agree with Karl Jurak, that given time it will help everyone who takes it. For some, it takes longer than three months. A small study published in the prestigious LANCET MEDICAL JOURNAL seems to indicate that people who take a vitamin-mineral supplement have up to 50 percent fewer infections. Their group was given a supplement of 19 vitamins and minerals. The information I have found on Matol®/Km® indicates it has significantly more than that. I believe everyone should take it even if they cannot discern a noticeable difference.