Scientific Names of Grape Seed Extract:
Vitis vinifera L. [Fam. Vitaceae]
Forms:
Grape Seed Extract standardized to 98% proanthocyanidins; 65% OPCs
Traditional Usage:
– Allergies
– Alzheimer’s Disease
– Anti-aging
– Antibacterial
– Antimicrobial
– Antiviral
– Anti-inflammatory
– Antioxidant
– Asthma
– Attention Deficit Disorder Hyperactivity
– Bone and Joint Conditions
– Bruises
– Circulatory Disorders
– Cholesterol
– Dyslexia
– Dyspraxia
– Eczema
– Edema
– Eyesight Disorders
– Free Radical Related Diseases
– Hayfever
– HIV Infection
– Hyperactivity
– Leaky Gut Syndrome
– Lower LDL Cholesterol
– Lymphatic Disorders
– Memory
– Parkinson’s Disease
– Pregnancy Related Disorders
– PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
– Skin Conditions
– Sun Burn
– Swollen Ankles
– Urinary Tract Problems
– Vascular Disorders
– Water Retention
– Wrinkles
Overview:
Red Grapes, Vitis vinifera L. [Fam. Vitaceae], are rich in colorful flavonoids called anthocyanins and their colorless precursors called oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Anthocyanins and OPCs are powerful antioxidants that protect skin from sun damage, prevent LDL cholesterol oxidation better than vitamin C, prevent blood platelet stickiness better than aspirin and prevent bacteria from adhering to urinary tract membranes. Tru-OPCTM Grape Seed Extract (GSE) contains 65% OPCs. The discovery of proanthocyanidins occurred in the mid-1940s by a PhD student, Jacques Masquelier, at the Bordeaux Medical University in France. Masquelier first isolated these bitter-tasting, colorless flavonoids from peanut skins and called them leuko-anthocyanidins (“pale anthocyanins”). When Masquelier gave guinea pigs the concentrated leukoanthocyanidin extract, he discovered remarkable capillary strengthening effects – a doubling within hours. Masquelier then discovered OPCs in grape seeds and further proved their dramatic circulatory-strengthening effects. He also found OPCs effective for treating water retention, swelling of ankles and knees and pregnancy related disorders. According to Masquelier, all proanthocyanidins are powerful antioxidants but it is only OPCS that are active in the repair of collagen and the strengthening of blood vessels and capillaries. Masquelier’s Tru-OPC TM Grape Seed Extract was tested double-blind on a group of elderly people with fragile capillaries and 89 percent had significant improvement after two weeks with only 100 to 150 mg per day. Tru-OPC TM GSE also has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties and prevents histamine release through protecting immune cells against degradation by enzymes (important for alleviating allergies and hayfever). OPCs can also lower cholesterol and prevent LDL oxidation. GSE has been shown to significantly help in the treatment of: skin wound healing; pancreatitis; multi-organ toxicity from chemotherapy; hemorrhagic shock; advancing age; injury of many organs; Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease; gastrointestinal dysfunctions; AIDS; and over 100 free radical related diseases.
Active Ingredients:
Grape Seed Extract contains: 65% Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins; 30% catechin and epicatechin monomers and dimers and 3% gallic acid.
Suggested Amount:
The recommended dosage for Masquelier’s OPC-85 Grape Seed Extract is 300 mg daily for ten to fourteen days (especially for overcoming serious coronary artery disease and allergies), then 100 mg daily thereafter. In studies reporting significant results, long-term daily dosages range from 100 mg (for treating venous-lymphatic insufficiency) to 300 mg (for eye strain from use of a video display terminal). Clinical studies on humans indicate that 300 mg per day of OPC-85 can quickly repair broken, leaky blood vessels and thus alleviate water retention and edema (puffy eyes, swollen feet, bloating associated with premenstrual syndrome, etc.)
Drug Interactions:
None known
Contraindications:
None known
Side Effects:
None known
References:
Duke, J. 1997: The Green Pharmacy, The Ultimate Compendium of Natural Remedies from the World’s Foremost Authority on Healing and Herbs. pp. 82; 99-100; 242; 560. Rodale Press.
Bagchi D, Ray SD, Patel D, Bagchi M. 2001. Protection against drug- and chemical-induced multiorgan toxicity by a novel IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract. Drugs Exp Clin Res 2001; 27(1): 3-15.
Banerjee B, Bagchi D. 2001. Beneficial effects of a novel ih636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. Digestion 2001; 63(3): 203-6.
Khanna S, Roy S, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Sen CK. 2001. Upregulation of oxidant-induced VEGF expression in cultured keratinocytes by a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract. Free Radic Biol Med 2001 Jul 1; 31(1): 38-42.
Preuss HG, Wallerstedt D, Talpur N, Tutuncuoglu SO, Echard B, Myers A, Bui M, Bagchi D. 2000. Effects of niacin-bound chromium and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects: a pilot study. J Med. 2000; 31(5-6): 227-46.
