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Grape Seed Extract: Overview
With high levels of oligomeric proanthocyanidin, which is 50 times more potent than vitamin E and 20 times more potent than vitamin C, grape seed extract is an antioxidant and free-radical scavenger par excellence.
Source
In the past several years, extracts of the seeds of wine grapes (Vitus vinifera) have become very popular in various dietary supplements.
Look for grapeseed extracts alone, or in combination with other ingredients in antioxidant, skin, venous support, or eye products. Trade names such as Activin® and Vinox® have popularized these extracts.
Function; Reasons for Use
Best known for its antioxidant properties, some assays show grapeseed extract to be several times "better" than vitamin C or E in this respect. The active component is thought to be the molecules referred to as PCOs (procyanidolic oligomers), or OPCs from the original French description of these molecules. The actions of PCOs include decreasing capillary permeability (vitamin "P"), inhibiting the breakdown of collagen, and free radical scavenging.
Grape seed extract is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body, even across the blood-brain barrier. It has also shown to have anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic (anti-cancer) properties.
Grape seed extract also offers free radical protection in cells with limited blood flow, such as linings of inflamed joints, elastin and neurons. It protects elastin from age-related degradation.
Grape seed extract has the ability to decrease capillary fragility (weakness - leading to bruising), atherosclerosis and diabetes.
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Grape Seed Extract can help with the following: | | | | | Aging |  Parkinson's Disease | Flavonoids, and in particular the proanthocyanidins (grape seed and pine bark extracts) should also be excellent candidates as Parkinson's disease preventers and retarders. Proanthocyanidins are water-soluble antioxidants that are stronger than vitamin C and which readily cross into the brain fluid. Clinical trials are, however, still required to support this hypothesis. |
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Circulation |
Varicose Veins
 Phlebitis / Thrombophlebitis | A one-month of treatment reduced lower limb circumference and improved subjective symptoms better than horse chestnut seed extract in a study of 40 patients with diagnosed chronic venous insufficiency. [Phytother Res 2002;16(2): pp.1-5] |
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Lab Values |
High Total Cholesterol | One month of treatment reduced total and LDL-cholesterol levels, but had no effect on HDL-cholesterol levels, in a study of 40 patients with diagnosed chronic venous insufficiency. [Phytother Res 2002;16(2): pp.1-5] |
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Metabolic |
Edema (Water Retention) | One month of treatment reduced lower limb circumference and improved subjective symptoms better than horse chestnut seed extract in a study of 40 patients with diagnosed chronic venous insufficiency. [Phytother Res 2002;16(2): pp.1-5] |
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KEY | May be useful: may help with | | Moderately useful: often helps with |
Last updated: Feb 23, 2012
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