What Are the Benefits of Grape Seed Supplements?

Grape seed supplements are bioflavonoid antioxidants from the polyphenol family. Antioxidants are powerful free radical-fighters in the body, and grape seeds in particular have been shown to have high therapeutic and preventative health potential, with very few side effects and zero toxicity. Grape seeds are also thought to enhance the effects of other free radical-fighting supplements, such as Vitamins C and E.

Potential Uses of Grape Seed Supplements

• Grape seed extract is a highly versatile compound that is known to remedy and treat a variety of issues in the body, ranging from circulatory system and cardiovascular issues to high cholesterol to parasites to general inflammation. Because of its unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, it is able to enter the blood vessels of the brain and fight free radicals. It's therefore thought to enhance cognitive ability. It's also thought to help prevent strokes and Alzheimer's.

  One of the most valuable potential effects of grape seed supplements is their potential to treat and cure cancer. As an alternative to traditional chemotherapy, grape seed supplements offer fewer side effects and no toxicity. Grape seed extract has been particularly useful in treating skin cancer. It's antioxidant ability is great for the skin in general, and it can help to reduce wrinkles by repairing collagen that has been damaged by free radicals.

  Grape seed supplements are also used to treat bacterial infections, viruses and fungal infections. Natural health care providers often prescribe them as an alternative to antibiotics; they also prescribe them when an infection is showing resistance to traditional antibiotics.

The Potent Chemicals in Grape Seeds

• The primary potent compound in grape seeds is called proanthocyanidin. It's a type of plant flavanoid known to be a powerful antioxidant. Found in high concentration in grape seeds, these compounds are commonly referred to as "tannins," which is the more familiar term because of the wine industry.

  Proanthocyanidins are vasoactive polyphenols, which means that they act on the cardiovascular system to suppress the proteins that normally cause blood vessel constriction, as well as having high antioxidant ability. They also help to heal and maintain collagen and elastin, both of which are found in the skin, connective tissues, blood vessels and organs in the body.

Cautions

• Because treatments with grape seed supplements are a relatively new and alternative concept, thorough scientific research is still underway. It's not yet possible to say how effective grape seeds are going to prove in the long run. Some side effects have been noted, such as headache, dry/itchy scalp, dizziness, and nausea.