Grape Seed Extract with Resveratrol Health Benefits

Grape seeds contain high concentrations of important nutrients. Antioxidants, such as vitamin E, flavonoids and OPCs--oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes, as well as linoleic acid--an essential fatty acid--are constituents of grape seeds, while resveratrol, a similar compound to OPCs, is mainly found in grape skins, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Grape seed extract with resveratrol has become a popular supplement used to assist health and healing in a variety of conditions.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

One of the most well-documented uses for grape seed extract is in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that leads to pooling of blood in the legs with accompanying pain and swelling. The OPCs in grape seed extract have been found to be effective at relieving these symptoms. A study of 40 patients with chronic venous insufficiency published in the 2002 journal Phytotherapy Research found improvement in symptoms after one month of treatment with grape seed extract.

Ulcerative Colitis

Resveratrol showed marked ability to inhibit ulcerative colitis in mice within seven days in a study published in the May 2010 Archives of Medical Research. Markers of inflammation were seen to decrease, and anti-inflammatory markers were seen to increase. The December 2008 Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology reported on the effect of grape seed extract on ulcerative colitis in rats and found it to inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration, suppress the inflammatory response and promote repair of damaged tissue.

Cholesterol

A study of the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins on rats fed a high-fat diet for 13 weeks found that the grape extract normalized triglyceride and LDL--low density lipoprotein--levels. The study, published in the September 2009 International Journal of Obesity, concluded that proanthocyanidins have a powerful effect on prevention and treatment of lipid-induced cardiovascular disease.

Breast and Prostate Cancer

In a study on breast cancer published in the July 2010 Journal of Nutrition, reseveratrol was found to prevent silencing of the tumor-suppressing protein BRCA1. The May 2010 journal Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis reported on a study that examined the effect of grape seed extract on prostate cancer and found it to have an inhibitory effect on cell migration. The researchers concluded that grape seed extract had potential for preventing metastasis of prostate cancer.

Hypertension

Resveratrol was found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and prevented the buildup of smooth muscle cells in the lining of pulmonary arteries in rats given 25 mg per kg of body weight per day. The study was reported in the September 2009 journal Hypertension. The researchers concluded that resveratrol may contribute to the prevention of pulmonary hypertension.

Health benefits of grape seed extract

Grapes have been used by European and Middle Eastern folk healers for years for their powerful medicinal properties. Scientists have found that the grape seed has the most concentrated form of health benefits from the grape. Grape seed extracts have been shown to improve immunity and prevent cancer.

Every part of the grape plant has been used to improve health. Grapevines have been made into special ointments that were used to treat skin and eye diseases. Grape leaves were used to improve healing time of painful injuries and inflammatory conditions. Unripe grapes were classically used to help the body fend off sore throats, and dried grapes (raisins) have been used to help with constipation and healthy bowel movements.

Grape seed extract has incredible antioxidant power:

Grape seed extract has an incredible antioxidant potential with its flavonoid phytonutrients. These polyphenols include resveratrol and unique oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPC's). The most potent form is in grape seed extract, as it contains 95% OPC's, which is more than any other antioxidant extract.

OPC's help the body produce glutathione, which is the master antioxidant that protects DNA and strengthens the immune system. They also increase intracellular vitamin C levels and strengthen capillaries and thus improve blood oxygen circulation throughout the body. These antioxidants also act to protect soft tissue collagen in the joints and skin from free radical damage and premature aging.

The powerful free radical scavenging effects of grape seed extract protect the skin from UV radiation damage, the blood vessel walls from inflammatory stress and the brain from low oxygen states. Due to the benefits that grape seed extract has on these systems, it has been shown to reduce the risk of skin cancer, improve blood pressure and protect against dementia.

Grape seed extract and cancer:

Many studies have shown the benefits of grape seed extract on slowing cancer growth and initiating cancer cell death. Researchers at the University of Kentucky found that the antioxidants in grape seed extract triggered the death of 76% of exposed leukemia cells by turning on a protein known as "JNK" that regulates cancer cell pathways.

Other studies have shown that grape seed extracts help the liver to detoxify from radiation induced poisons and chemotherapy. In addition, they help the liver to detoxify bad estrogenic molecules. By helping the body eliminate these toxic substances, grape seed helps reduce the growth of breast, stomach, colon, prostate and lung cancer cells.

Grape seed extract and Th2 immunity:

The two major parts of our immune system are the Th1 and Th2 systems. It is essential that these systems are both working in a balanced and coordinated manner. Many individuals have a dominance in one of the major pathways.

According to the research of Dr. Datis Kharrazian and other health experts, the components within grape seed extract tend to improve the Th2 immune system. For most individuals, this provides a great immune boost. However, some individuals have a strong Th2 dominance and anything that increases Th2 activity (which also inhibits Th1 immunity) would create a further immune imbalance and could drive further inflammatory conditions.

It is advisable for individuals with Th2 dominant conditions to do a supplement challenge where they intentionally see how their body responds to grape seed extract or another Th2 stimulating compound before they use it indiscretionarily. If it is shown through a cytokine blood test or through a supplement challenge that they have a Th2 dominance, and its works great.