Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 13 Jul 2013 - 12:00 PDT Current ratings for:
What Is Grape Seed Extract? What Are The Benefits Of Grape Seed Extract?
Grape seed extract is an industrial derivative of grape seeds, extremely rich in antioxidants and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs).
The extract has a wide range of therapeutic properties in healing wounds and treating conditions such as high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, macular degeneration, poor circulation, nerve damage, as well as preventing cancer.
Although many of these health claims are still not completely backed up by "high quality" studies, strong evidence is beginning to emerge on grape seed extract's extensive health benefits.
Grape seed extract is available as a dietary supplement in either a liquid form, tablets or capsules.
Supplements generally contain between 50 to 100 mg of the extract.
Grape seeds are linked to a number of
health benefits
Studies on animal models have revealed that the extract can be effective in treating heart diseases. Some experts think that grape seed extract could even have anticancer and cancer chemopreventive potential. Over recent years there has been a great deal of research pointing to key therapeutic properties of the grape seed extract. Listed below are some of the key findings.
Health benefits associated with Grape Seed Extract:
Healing wounds - Grape seed extract can heal dermal wounds.A study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, "provided firm evidence to support that topical application of GSPE represents a feasible and productive approach to support dermal wound healing."
Improving bone strength - Including grape seed extract in your diet with calcium has a "beneficial effect on bone formation and bone strength for the treatment of bone debility caused by a low level of calcium," according to research published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions.
Preventing skin cancer - Grape seeds contain proanthocyanidins which can prevent the development of cancer.
A study, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, found that grape seeds have properties that can reduce the severity of skin cancer. The researchers concluded that grape seed extracts "could be useful in the attenuation of the adverse UV-induced health effects in human skin."
Cardiovascular benefits - The antioxidants in grape seed extract protect the blood vessels from becoming damaged, preventing high blood pressure.
According to one study, published in the journal Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, "grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) provides superior antioxidant efficacy as compared to Vitamins C, E and ß-carotene."
Reducing edema (swelling) - Taking grape seed extract can help reduce the swelling that occurs after an injury or surgery.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that breast cancer patients who took 600 mg of grape seed extract every day for 6 months had less edema compared to those on placebo.
Preventing cognitive decline - Grape seed extract is very high in proanthocyanidins (oligomers of monomeric polyphenols) which may prevent cognitive decline.
One study identified "a critical role for grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) as a neuroprotectant in the hippocampus and in preventing cognitive loss with aging."
Dr. John Gray talks about the possibility of using grape seed
extract to reduce symptoms of ADHD.
Other potential benefits associated with grape seed extract:
Protecting the teethProtecting against pathogensTreating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Improving visionAlzheimer's diseaseTreating diabetic retinopathyRelieving symptoms of chronic venous insufficiencyAnti-aging propertiesCommon side effects include:
It is important to talk to your doctor before taking grape seed extract as it can affect the way that certain medications are broken down in the liver.
It is possible that grape seed extract can act as a blood-thinner, which increases the risk of bleeding if taken along with anticoagulants such as warfarin or aspirin.
In addition, pregnant women should completely avoid taking grape seed extract supplements.
Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
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14 Jul. 2013.
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