Grape Seed Extract Safety

Grapes have a long history of use in medicine, dating back to ancient Greece. Grape seed extract is considered safe and without serious risks for almost every population, except as noted below. It is available in capsule, tablet, and extract forms.

Its use has applications for healing wounds, skin issues, eye health, chronic fatigue and immune problems, circulatory issues, and high blood pressure---and possibly cancer. Part of its efficacy stems from powerful antioxidants, which help fight the effects of aging and disease.

Bleeding Concerns

• The proanthocyanidin component of grape seed is what causes concern about bleeding. People with bleeding disorders should not take the extract without a doctor's consent. Grape seed extract should not be taken if you are on medicines to thin the blood. The extract can also raise blood pressure levels if taken with vitamin C supplements.

Interference

• Grape seed extract may interfere with drugs taken to lower cholesterol. Grape seed (in combination with niacin-bound chromium) acts to lower both total and LDL cholesterol, so if you take a cholesterol-lowering drug along with the extract or a supplement of grape seed, you should check with your doctor as this may affect the dosage of your prescription medication.

Side Effects

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the extract and supplements. There are no studies on use in children, so the supplement is not recommended. People who take grape seed extract in combination with other supplements, prescription or over the counter medications, should do so only with supervision of a medical professional. (These precautions are mainly due to a lack of study information concerning grape seed and its effects on these populations or under these conditions.)

  Grape seed may cause general dizziness and nausea. Headache and dry scalp are other reported side effects. Anyone with an allergy to grapes should not take grape seed extract in any form. Anyone who suffers a serious medical condition should consult a physician before starting a supplement.

Dosage

• A dosage of 720 mg daily may be used to treat varicose veins. Grape seed extract is helpful with the condition due to the oligomeric proanthocyandin complexes it contains. OPCs are bioflavonoids and may reduce the incidence of leaking veins and swelling in the legs.

  It may be taken to assist with psoriasis at a dosage of 100 mg two times per day---and for antioxidant protection, 25 to 150 mg of extract may be taken up to three times per day.

Cancer

• Resveratrol (a polyphenol found in the extract) seems to interfere with cell growth and division in cancer and to block enzymes which prolong tumor life. The extract can also suppress estrogen in cancerous tissue while leaving healthy tissue's estrogen production untouched.