Grape seed extract
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Grapes (Vitis vinifera) have been heralded for their medicinal and nutritional value for thousands of years. Egyptians ate grapes at least 6,000 years ago, and several ancient Greek philosophers praised the healing power of grapes -- usually in the form of wine. European folk healers made an ointment from the sap of grapevines to treat skin and eye diseases. Grape leaves were used to stop bleeding, inflammation, and pain, such as the kind brought on by hemorrhoids. Unripe grapes were used to treat sore throats, and dried grapes (raisins) were used for constipation and thirst. Round, ripe, sweet grapes were used to treat a range of health problems including cancer, cholera, smallpox, nausea, eye infections, and skin, kidney, and liver diseases.But grapes -- or the chemicals within them, especially oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) -- have been touted as powerful antioxidants. Some people believe they could help treat a number of conditions, from heart disease to cancer to aging skin, although scientific evidence is mostly lacking for those conditions. However, there is good evidence that grape seed extract can help treat chronic venous insufficiency and edema. A study of healthy volunteers found that taking grape seed extract did substantially increase levels of antioxidants in their blood. Antioxidants are substances that destroy free radicals -- harmful compounds in the body that damage DNA (genetic material) and even cause cell death. Free radicals are believed to contribute to aging, as well as the development of a number of health problems, including heart disease and cancer
Special Precautions of Grape seed extract (side effects)
- The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports a variety of side effects associated with grape seed extract. You may experience gastrointestinal problems, such as indigestion and nausea, or possibly a headache or dizziness. Other side effects to watch for include an itchy scalp, hives and high blood pressure.
- Do not use Grapeseed Oil or Grape seed extract if you're allergic to grapes. People who are allergic to cherries and strawberries also have a good chance of being sensitive to grapes, so consult your health care provider if you have any food allergy concerns.
- If you have a bleeding disorder or high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before you start using grape seed extract.
- Interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using grape seed extract. It could interact with drugs like blood thinners, NSAID painkillers (like aspirin, Advil, and Aleve), certain heart medicines, cancer treatments, and others.
- Given the lack of evidence about its safety, grape seed extract is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The benefits of Grape seed extract are
Since ancient Greece, various parts of the grape have been used for medicinal purposes. Grape seed extract is purported to help treat the following health problems:
- High Blood Pressure : In a 2009 study of subjects with metabolic syndrome, researchers found that four weeks of treatment with grape seed extract lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome is marked by a cluster of health problems (including excess belly fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and inflammation) known to raise your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
- high Cholesterol
- atherosclerosis
- poor circulation
- Diabetes-Related Complications : In a 2009 study of 32 type 2 diabetes patients at high cardiovascular risk, participants took 600 mg of grape seed extract or a placebo every day for four weeks. Study results showed that grape seed extract significantly improved markers of inflammation and glycemia. The study's authors suggest that grape seed extract may have a therapeutic role in decreasing cardiovascular risk.
- gastrointestinal disorders
- anti-inflammatory : Grape seed extract contains polyphenols which have been shown in clinical studies to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity
- Constipation
- Macular Degeneration
- Cancer : In laboratory studies, scientists have demonstrated that grape seed can help fight free radicals (chemical by-products known to cause DNA damage associated with cancer). GSE has remarkable anti-cancer properties. At this time, laboratory tests show GSE can combat follwing cancers : leukemia, Skin, Breast, Colon, Lung, Stomach, Prostate-cancer.
- Alzheimer's Disease : Grape seed extract may help delay the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to an animal study published in 2009. In tests on mice, scientists discovered that grape seed extract eased inflammation and prevented the accumulation of substances known to form the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.
