Grape Seed Extract & Antioxidant Support
by Vic Shayne, PhD
Grape Seed Extract, separated with a patented water process, without hexane or other toxins, and wildcrafted, is found in SuperGreens PhytoFood.
Grape Seed Extract is one of the most promising discoveries in the history of Nutrition. It’s antioxidant benefits are continually being explored for a range of diseases and symptoms.
In a continuing effort to keep their food products on the leading edge of Human Nutrition, NutriPlex Formulas just made SuperGreens even better with the addition of GRAPE SEED EXTRACT (GSE). Few food sources have been identified with such promise as that of grape seed extract. 
Scientific studies give evidencce to its rank as one of the top “super foods.”
SuperGreens contains more than 20 plant foods (alfalfa, barley, rice bran, bilberry, etc.) that provide a wide array of minerals, vitamins, carotenoids and more. Grape Seed Extract is the newest addition to this product, enhancing its scope immensely. GSE contains Vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, and compounds called procyanidins (also known as condensed tannins, pycnogenols, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPCs) are highly concentrated in grape seeds. These healthful compounds can also be found in lower concentrations in the skin of the grape. Procyanidins are also found in grape juice and wine, but in lower concentrations.
Grape Seed Extract has been heralded for its use in:
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Wound healing
• Aging
• Immune system problems
• Chronic fatigue
• Vision problems and eye health
• Skin problems
• Circulatory problems
• Chronic illnesses
• Chronic veinous insufficiency
• Spider veins
• Cancer*
Grape seed extract substantially increases levels of antioxidants in the blood. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals -- damaging compounds in the body that alter cell membranes, tamper with DNA (genetic material), and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals contribute to aging as well as the development of a number of health problems including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants found in grape seeds can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. (Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Stohs SJ, et al. Free radicals and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract: importance in human health and disease prevention. Toxicology. 2000;148(2-3):187-197)
“Proanthocyanidins are also believed to block the deterioration of blood vessels, therefore, grape seed extract may improve conditions involving veins and arteries. It has been used to prevent, delay, and treat a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when valves in the veins that carry blood back to the heart are weak or damaged. The blood that collects in the veins of the legs can lead to varicose veins, spider veins, or sores on the legs. Results that are more serious may include blood clots in the legs or sores that do not heal and may become infected. This blood vessel strengthening effect of grape seed extract may also help to prevent and treat hemorrhoids.”
Cancer
One of the polyphenols contained in grape seed extract is called resveratrol. In laboratory and animal studies, resveratrol from grape seeds has appeared to interfere with cancer cell growth and division, as well as causing some cancer cells to disintegrate faster than they would ordinarily. In addition, it may also block enzymes that prolong the survival of several cancer cell types. As a result, tumors may either stop growing or actually shrink because higher than usual numbers of cancer cells die. Therefore, resveratrol may have direct anticancer activity. It may also increase the effectiveness and/or lower the side effects of drugs currently used for cancer chemotherapy.
“Researchers found that GSE can suppress estrogen in cancerous tissue — which produces excess amounts of estrogen — without inhibiting critical estrogen production from healthy tissue. The findings could eventually lead to a preventive therapy that would help both pre- and post-menopausal women.”(Wheeler, Mark, “Grape seed extract suppresses estrogen in breast cancer,” cityofhope.com)
At the recommended dosage (50mg per day for maintenance, and 150mg-300mg for illness), grape seed is considered very safe. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid grape seed supplements.
Additional sources:
Sterling, R.D., Marylin, “Proanthocyanidin Power: Pine bark and grape seed contain the flavonoids OPCs, which offer antioxidant protection against heart disease and cancer,”
New Hope Media, Nutrition Science News, June, 2000
Bomser J, Madhavi DL. In vitro anticancer activity of fruit extracts from Vaccinium species. Planta Med 1996 Jun;62(3):212-6
Sato M, Maulik G. Cardioprotective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin against ischemic reperfusion injury. J Mol Cell Cardiol 1999 Jun;31(6):1289-97
Grape Seed Extract, separated with a patented water process, without hexane or other toxins, and wildcrafted, is found in SuperGreens PhytoFood.
Grape Seed Extract is one of the most promising discoveries in the history of Nutrition. It’s antioxidant benefits are continually being explored for a range of diseases and symptoms.
In a continuing effort to keep their food products on the leading edge of Human Nutrition, NutriPlex Formulas just made SuperGreens even better with the addition of GRAPE SEED EXTRACT (GSE). Few food sources have been identified with such promise as that of grape seed extract. 
Scientific studies give evidencce to its rank as one of the top “super foods.”SuperGreens contains more than 20 plant foods (alfalfa, barley, rice bran, bilberry, etc.) that provide a wide array of minerals, vitamins, carotenoids and more. Grape Seed Extract is the newest addition to this product, enhancing its scope immensely. GSE contains Vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, and compounds called procyanidins (also known as condensed tannins, pycnogenols, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPCs) are highly concentrated in grape seeds. These healthful compounds can also be found in lower concentrations in the skin of the grape. Procyanidins are also found in grape juice and wine, but in lower concentrations.
Grape Seed Extract has been heralded for its use in:
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Wound healing
• Aging
• Immune system problems
• Chronic fatigue
• Vision problems and eye health
• Skin problems
• Circulatory problems
• Chronic illnesses
• Chronic veinous insufficiency
• Spider veins
• Cancer*
Grape seed extract substantially increases levels of antioxidants in the blood. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals -- damaging compounds in the body that alter cell membranes, tamper with DNA (genetic material), and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals contribute to aging as well as the development of a number of health problems including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants found in grape seeds can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. (Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Stohs SJ, et al. Free radicals and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract: importance in human health and disease prevention. Toxicology. 2000;148(2-3):187-197)
“Proanthocyanidins are also believed to block the deterioration of blood vessels, therefore, grape seed extract may improve conditions involving veins and arteries. It has been used to prevent, delay, and treat a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when valves in the veins that carry blood back to the heart are weak or damaged. The blood that collects in the veins of the legs can lead to varicose veins, spider veins, or sores on the legs. Results that are more serious may include blood clots in the legs or sores that do not heal and may become infected. This blood vessel strengthening effect of grape seed extract may also help to prevent and treat hemorrhoids.”
Cancer
One of the polyphenols contained in grape seed extract is called resveratrol. In laboratory and animal studies, resveratrol from grape seeds has appeared to interfere with cancer cell growth and division, as well as causing some cancer cells to disintegrate faster than they would ordinarily. In addition, it may also block enzymes that prolong the survival of several cancer cell types. As a result, tumors may either stop growing or actually shrink because higher than usual numbers of cancer cells die. Therefore, resveratrol may have direct anticancer activity. It may also increase the effectiveness and/or lower the side effects of drugs currently used for cancer chemotherapy.
“Researchers found that GSE can suppress estrogen in cancerous tissue — which produces excess amounts of estrogen — without inhibiting critical estrogen production from healthy tissue. The findings could eventually lead to a preventive therapy that would help both pre- and post-menopausal women.”(Wheeler, Mark, “Grape seed extract suppresses estrogen in breast cancer,” cityofhope.com)
At the recommended dosage (50mg per day for maintenance, and 150mg-300mg for illness), grape seed is considered very safe. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid grape seed supplements.
Additional sources:
Sterling, R.D., Marylin, “Proanthocyanidin Power: Pine bark and grape seed contain the flavonoids OPCs, which offer antioxidant protection against heart disease and cancer,”
New Hope Media, Nutrition Science News, June, 2000
Bomser J, Madhavi DL. In vitro anticancer activity of fruit extracts from Vaccinium species. Planta Med 1996 Jun;62(3):212-6
Sato M, Maulik G. Cardioprotective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin against ischemic reperfusion injury. J Mol Cell Cardiol 1999 Jun;31(6):1289-97
Labels: antioxidants, cancer, grape seed extract, pine bark, resveratrol
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