Grape seed extracts have compounds called procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs). Other sources of PCOs are berries, green and black teas, and red wine. Grape-Seed extract is available for purchase.  

Grape seed extract antioxidant
PCOs are powerful antioxidants, perhaps much greater than vitamins C and E. They also inhibit a number of enzymes that degrade connective tissue such as elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase.

Grape Seed Medical uses
The primary clinical indications for grape seed extract are the treatment of such vascular disorders as venous insufficiency and capillary fragility and possibly retinal maladies such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. PCOs may improve night vision.

Grape seed supplement benefits
Moderately high amounts of grape seed extract may blunt salt-sensitive hypertension.
Grape seed extract supplement may be helpful as an antioxidant in smokers.
Grape seed extracts which contain polyphenolic compounds cause an endothelium dependent relaxation of blood vessels. This could be beneficial to those with cardiovascular disease.

Grape Seed studies
Effect of a standardized grape seed extract on low-density lipoprotein susceptibility to oxidation in heavy smokers.
Vigna GB. University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Metabolism. 2003 Oct;52(10):1250-7.
The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of a standardized formulation of a polyphenolic extract of grapes (Leucoselect-Phytosome) on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) susceptibility to oxidation in a group of heavy smokers. A randomized, double-blind, crossover study was undertaken in 24 healthy male heavy smokers, aged > or = 50 years. Enrolled subjects were given 2 capsules twice daily for 4 weeks (phase 1). Each capsule contained 75 mg of a grape procyanidin extracts and soy-phosphatidlcholine or placebo consisiting of 75 mg lactose and soy-phosphatidlcholine. A wash out period of 3 weeks was then followed by 4 weeks of the opposite treatment (phase 2). Blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of each phase and assayed for plasma lipids and LDL susceptibility to oxidation. Compliance was good, and no adverse effects were recorded. Subjects did not show significant modification of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-C during LP treatment. Among oxidative indices, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration was significantly reduced in subjects taking grape seed extract, and the lag phase prolonged compared with placebo and basal values. The antioxidant potential of grape seed extract polyphenols may prove effective in a model of oxidative stress (smoking); however more investigational data are needed before use in wider clinical settings.

back to index yohimbe bark

grape seed research grapeseed immune system grape seed benefits