A powerful antioxidant compound of concentrated polyphenolic bioflavonoids (proanthocyanidins) made and patented by the InterHealth Company, California. ActiVin is made from the extraction of these bioflavonoids from the seeds of red grapes that has seven to twenty times more antioxidant power than Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Beta-carotene. ActiVin is reportedly the most powerful grape seed extract available, having a greater concentration of proanthocyanidins than other supplements.

Proanthocyanidins have strong antioxidant properties, inhibiting free radical damage. (Enhanced free radical formation accompanies tissue and cellular injury in most, if not all, human disease including arthritis, hemorrhagic shock, atherosclerosis, aging, ischemia and reperfusion injury of many tissues, central nervous system injury, gastritis, tumor promotion and carcinogenesis and AIDS.) Furthermore, proanthocyanidins have been known to inhibit lipid perioxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and fragility, and modulates the activity of enzyme systems including cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase. They also have exhibited a wide range of biological effects including antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, antiallergic and vasodilatory actions. Proanthocyanidins appear to exert these effects as antioxidants, potent free radical scavengers and chelators of toxic heavy metals.

The body cannot manufacture these bioflavonoids and must obtain them from foods. However, most bioflavonoids from foods are not water soluble, and thus are harder to assimilate. ActiVin is water soluble and thus arguably more powerful. Bioflavonoids such as the proanthocyanidins, with vitamin C, work together in keeping the intracellular cement (collagen) in a healthy condition. They also increase the strength of capillaries and help to regulate their permeability. (See Pycnogenol, Bioflavonoids)