Health Benefits of Grape Seed Extract

Of all the natural sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), grape seed exctract (also known as grape seed oil) has the biggest amount of linoleic acid, an important EFA, while it contains minimal cholesterol. Essential Fatty Acids are necessary for health but cannot be produced by the body and must be supplied through the diet. Read the article on the Importance of Essential Fatty Acids.

Cardiovascular Diseases and Grape Seed Extract

The seeds of grapes are used to produce grape seed extract

Human cases and laboratory animal studies show grape seed extract may help prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. The proanthocyanidins (PCO), which are essentially polymer chains of flavonoids found in grape seed extract, help reduce deterioration of the blood vessels. For this reason, grape seed extract has been used to prevent, delay and treat chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when valves in veins that carry blood back to heart are weak or damaged.

Blood that collects in veins of the legs can lead to blood clots, spider veins, varicose veins, or sores on the legs that do not heal and may become infected. The proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract strengthen the walls of blood vessels and can help keep damaged, stiff, or stretched blood vessels from leaking. The strengthening effect that grape seed extract has for blood vessels can also help prevent and treat hemorrhoids.

The bioflavonoids in grape seed extract are effective antioxidants and boost the antioxidant properties of vitamins such as E.

Vision Problems and Grape See Extract

People who suffer from arteriosclerosis or other conditions that damage the small blood vessels of the eye can potentially develop serious vision problems. Grape seed extract appears to also have value for reducing eye stress caused by bright lights. People who get eye strained when they use a computer for extended periods may benefit from taking grape seed extract.

Diabetic retinopathy, the breakdown of retinas in the eyes due to blood vessel damage, is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Research is finding that grape seed extract may have value for slowing retinopathy. Consult with your physician if 40-80 mg three times per day of grape seed extract is appropriate for you.

Grape Seed Extract and Tooth Decay

In preliminary research, grape seed extract appears to have moderate effectiveness for the prevention of tooth decay, delaying the breakdown of sugars in the mouth and inhibiting the growth of the oral bacteria that form dental cavities. Sugars and starches contribute to dental decay by providing substrate for bacterial fermentation in the mouth.

Other benefits of Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract slows the effects of aging and help prevent cancer, and other problems from allergies and arthritis to insulin utilization, and mood balance.

Grape seed extract can enhance bone density and strength in experimental animals. Some use it against osteoporosis.

Grape seed extract may also inhibit the effects of enzymes that process dietary fats and cholesterol, which means less fat may be absorbed and more eliminated from the body.

Other research shows grape seed extract may help reduce cellular damage caused by drugs, pollution, tobacco, and other toxins. It is thought that grape seed extract interferes with viral multiplication, possibly by preventing attachment to host cells.

Injuries to the skin of laboratory animals have healed better when grape seed extract was applied encouraging faster healing with less scarring. By stabilizing collagen and elastin, it promotes re-growth in connective tissues while it encourages faster, stronger skin healing with less scarring. Grape seed proanthocyanidins has shown skin anti-cancer properties decreasing the malignancy of papillomas.

Researchers have discovered that Grape Seed Extract can help defeat the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which stops the hair follicle growth cycle. Grape Seed Extract can help stimulate healthy hair growth.

Based on the relatively recent demonstration of potent antioxidant activity – having effects 20 to 50 times greater than vitamin E or C – the list of clinical uses of PCO and grape seed extract will surely increase.

Grape Seed Extract and Weight Loss

Some people mix up grape skin extract with grape seed extract (oil). There are less conclusive studies about the effects of grape seed extract in weight loss management.

Grape skin extract is comprised mostly of resveratrol which, amongst a multitude of other benefits, is very useful in achieving and maintaining weight loss. With Resveratrol, testosterone levels get that slight boost needed to lose fat and gain muscle.

Findings from an experimental studies in 2004 suggest that grape seed extract could be effective in reducing 24 hour energy intake in normal to overweight subjects, and could, therefore, play a significant role in body-weight management. It was also shown that grape seed extract can reduce food intake in rats. Grape seed is thought to delay absorption of the diet, which means that subjects do not feel hungry and therefore eat less food. Additionally, the polyphenols – antioxidants present in high quantities in grape seed extract – can stimulate the breakdown of fat.

Even though studies suggest that grape seed extract could be used as a weight management supplement, more experiments are needed to validate its effectiveness as a weight control supplement. Nevertheless one cannot argue the multiple benefits of grape seed extract.

Side Effects of Grape Seed Extract

Taking grape seed extract has been associated with mild side effects such as: abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and nausea. If you are allergic to grapes should not take grape seed. There are a few published cases of allergic reaction to grape seed. Taking large amounts may lead to soft stools or oily leakage from the gastrointestinal tract. Grape Seed Extract may have a potential effect on fetuses and babies, so pregnant and breastfeeding women are not supposed to take it. Other common complaint include itchy, dry scalp. In theory, grape seed may increase the risk of bleeding. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.

Large amounts of linoleic acid are frequently associated with cancer, whereas omega-3 fatty acids like DHA suppress cancer. It has been theorized that linoleic acid causes cancer by overproduction of the inflammatory arachidonic acid eicosanoids, which stimulate proliferation of mutated cells.

Be Aware of Synergistic Effects with other Drugs

Grape seed extract may increase the time required for blood to clot. If taken with anti-platelet or anticoagulant drugs, such as aspirin, heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), the effects of these drugs may be amplified, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding. Grape seed may also interact with angiotensin, methotrexate, allopurinol and cholesterol-lowering drugs.  It may still increase the risk of bleeding even if taken along with Ginkgo biloba or garlic.  This is because grape seed interferes with the way the liver breaks down certain drugs causing the levels of drugs in the body to be too high.

The oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) in grape seed extract may lower high blood pressure. Individuals taking both vitamin C and grape seed extract can experience increased blood pressure. The increases observed in one study, were not dramatic, but people who have high blood pressure may want to check their readings more often if both grape seed extract and vitamin C are taken together. Should blood pressure rise, either one or the other may be stopped.

How to purchase Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is typically available in capsule or tablet forms of 50 mg to 100 mg. It can also be purchased as a liquid to add to water and other drinks. It has a light, nutty taste that brings out the flavor in many foods. It can also be used in cooking because, unlike most other oils, it can be heated to temperatures as high as 485 degrees Fahrenheit without producing carcinogenic free radicals.

A common dosage for general health is 100 mg to 150 mg per day. Doses of all antioxidant supplements should be no higher than recommended by the manufacturer. Some evidence from animal studies suggests very high doses of antioxidants, such as found in grape seed extract, may increase cellular oxidation damage. Other animal studies have found few side effects from extremely high doses; nevertheless, dosing should be limited to no more than recommend on the product package.

Buy only grape seed extract that is cold pressed with no preservatives, such as Salute Sante Grapeseed oil from Lifestar International.