Proanthocyanidins help improve circulation, which can lead
to improvement in such diverse disorders as macular
degeneration, diabetic neuropathy, cataracts, varicose veins
and thrombosis, and even impotence. Proanthocyanidins
also seem to help suppress the production of prostglandins,
which can be helpful in treating chronic pain and in
promoting healing.
These
benefits are not news to practitioners of herbal medicine. Wine
has been touted as a healing elixir for thousands of years,
though it’s only recently that scientists have come to agree
that moderate consumption of wine has beneficial effects on the
heart and cholesterol levels. Grape leaves and vines have
been used in traditional healing to help stop bleeding and
inflammation, and grapes themselves were used to help soothe
sore throats, relieve constipation and alleviate the symptoms of
many skin conditions.
What
Grape Seed Extract Does:
Grape seed extract
contains a number of chemical compounds that work at a cellular
level to help promote healing in the body. These include
proanthocyanadins, which work as antioxidants and scavenge free
radicals in the bloodstream. Grape seed extract also is a
highly concentrated source of Vitamin E, linoleic acid and the
astringent tannins, which seems to promote healthy digestive
functioning. In addition, there is some evidence that
grape seed extract helps skin wounds heal faster, and encourages
stronger capillary growth.
Health
Benefits of Grape Seed Extract:
Grapes
have historically been used to treat a wide variety of ills.
Most recently, scientists have turned their attention to the
flavonoids and procyanidins in grape seeds and skins.
Among the most recent research are studies undertaken at
universities around the country to measure the healing,
anti-cholesterol and other health and nutritional uses of grape
seed extract.
Promotes healing of wounds
In two
related studies funded by the National Institutes of Health,
researchers found that wounds treated with grape seed extract
showed considerably better and faster healing than those allowed
to heal with no intervention. Specifically, according to
one of the researchers, the skin treated with grape seed extract
contained more tenascin, a protein that is used to build
connective tissues in skin. The scar tissue was denser and
contained more capillaries in the skin treated with grape seed
extract, which, said researchers, is a sign of healthier
healing.
May
lower levels of LDL cholesterol
In a
study undertaken at Georgetown University Medical Center,
researchers gave 40 participants supplements of grape seed
extract and chromium. At the end of the study, researchers
found significant decreases in LDL (“bad” cholesterol) in the
blood.
May
help prevent certain cancers.
A study
reported in the December 2004 issue of the Journal of Nutrition
reported that grape seed extract in combination with a diet that
derived most of its protein from soy and other vegetable sources
showed cancer preventive properties. More specifically,
rats who received grape seed extract with a high-soy-protein
diet showed a 50% reduction in tumor multiplicity. The
researchers suggested the possibility of grape seed extract
working synergistically with soy isoflavones.
Stimulates the immune system
A paper
published by the American Society for Microbiology in 2002
stated that grape seed extract had increased the production of
interferon, a glycoprotein produced by the body in response to
viral or bacterial infection. Interferon suppresses
infection by preventing the replication of infected cells.
Reduces high blood pressure
In at
least one study, grape seed extract reduced the blood pressure
of healthy mice. Further studies are being done to see if grape
seed extract has the same effect on humans.
Possible
Side Effects of Grape Seed Extract:
At
recommended dosages, grape seed extract shows no harmful side
effects. It is suggested that pregnant and breastfeeding women
avoid taking supplements with grape seed extract as a
precaution.
Summary
With
thousands of years of historic tradition and recent laboratory
research behind it, grape seed extract shows a lot of promise in
keeping your immune system healthy and your cholesterol low.
One of the most interesting things to note is the fact that more
than one study has found merit in the idea of grape seed extract
working synergistically with other nutrients. It’s
especially notable in light of the fact that it seems to work
synergistically with vegetable proteins – but not with animal
proteins. It may explain the so-called ‘French Paradox’
and healthy profiles of those Mediterraneans who eat diets high
in fat, but still have healthy hearts.
Regardless, it fits our own belief that no single supplement is
a cure-all for anything. Health depends on a diet that provides
all the nutrients your body needs, in the right amounts.
Because so many different nutrients work best in combination
with others, we feel that it’s best to take a high quality
health supplement that offers a full spectrum of benefits from
many nutrients. Our own preference is
Xtend-Life Product’s Total Balance, a carefully formulated
supplement that is designed to work synergistically – not only
within itself but with other nutritional supplements and with
the food that you eat each day. Because
Xtend-Life takes its commitment to health seriously, they
employ their own research department to ensure that all of their
products work as they say. The GMP seal on the label
proves that they also have a commitment to producing all of
their products to exacting standards, so we know that we’re
getting exactly what the label says.
