Since Biblical times, moderate wine consumption has been recommended for its supposed health benefits. Some imbibers even say “Good health!” as they raise their glasses in cheery toasts before their first sips.
A recent study, published in the medical journal Plos One, demonstrates for the first time that grape seed extract is a wonder supplement in the fight against cancer. In addition, it also reduces chemotherapy’s painful side effects.
The researchers say adding grape seed extract to chemotherapy is a new approach to bowel cancer treatment, enhancing chemotherapy’s cancer-beating effects and reducing intestinal damage.
If you do NOT know, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in the United States. Only lung cancer is more deadly.
Grape seed extract is commonly sold at health food stores, drugstores, and supermarkets. It is also widely available on the Internet.
Capsules rather than powder are “the preferred way to take grape seed extract because (they are) more tolerable due to (powder’s) astringent taste and unappealing brownish red color,” says Dr. Amy Cheah, a medical science researcher at the school of agriculture, food and wine at Australia’s University of Adelaide, who led the cancer study.
Rich in vitamin E, flavonoids, and a powerful nutrient called linoleic acid, grape seed extract has no side effects and is usually taken because of its “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties and to promote cardiovascular health,” says Dr. Cheah
More research will be done to discover whether grape seed extract works as well with other types of cancer.
“This is the first study showing that grape seed extract can enhance the potency of one of the major chemotherapy drugs in its action against colon cancer cells,” said Dr. Cheah.
In addition, grape seed extract has been know as a mighty weapon against varicose veins. Like garlic, grape seed extract also improves blood flow and stops your blood from clumping and clotting.
Now the Australian study has found that grape seed extract led to a 55% decrease in chemotherapy-induced inflammation and a 26% increase in chemotherapy’s ability to kill cancer cells.
In addition to the above, the researchers found no side effects on healthy intestinal tissue from the use of grape seed extract in high concentrations.
The team’s conclusion, as reported in Plos One: “Grape seed extract may represent a new therapeutic option to decrease the symptoms of intestinal mucositis [inflammation and ulceration] while concurrently impacting on the viability of colon cancer cells.”
Grape seed extract is fairly new to the U.S., however, it has been used for years in Europe to treat a number of diseases. In addition, herbal expects have for years recommended taking 50 mg a day.
Research has shown that it is beneficial for a number of heart conditions also, including high cholesterol. As I've said above grape seed extract has also been used to treat chronic venous insufficiency for poor circulation and eye disease related to diabetes.
Word of caution: grape seed extract may interact with some blood thinners and NSAID painkillers such as aspirin, so check with your doctor if you take any of these medications and willing to take grape seed extract.
Why not try grape seed extract
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