GRAPE SEED PE

DESCRIPTION
Grape seed extract (GSE) is just what it sounds like ¨C an extract from grape seeds. The seeds are typically from red grapes (instead of white), which have a high content of compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). The OPCs are also present in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including pine bark (Pycnogenol) and green tea, where, like grape seed extract, they possess potent antioxidant properties. The OPCs are chemically known as flavonoids or polyphenols, which can differ substantially based on their polymer arrangement. For example, polyphenols can exist in single (monomers), double (dimers), triple (trimers), quadruple (tetramers) and even longer "cyanidin" chains (tannins). Any chain length from 2-7 or so is termed and "oligomer" and longer chains are generally just called "polymers." It is generally assumed that the longer the cyanidin chain length, the less bioavailable and less active the molecule becomes. It may even be possible for the longer chain length compounds (tannins) to interfere with the absorption of other nutrients consumed at the same time. Many commercial grape seed extracts are standardized to a total OPC content, which may or may not take into account the assortment of dimers/trimers, etc. present in the final product.

EFFCACY
• Antioxidant
• Cardioprotection (reduces risk of athersclerosis)
• Reduces cancer risk
• Improves vascular strength (stronger blood vessels)
• Reduces edema (inflammation/swelling)
• Promotes eye health (reduces risk of macular degeneration and cataracts)

THEORY
You've probably heard about the health phenomenon known as the "French Paradox", which attributes the low incidence of heart disease in France, despite their high fat intake, to a hearty consumption of red wine. The cardioprotective effects of red wine (and possibly for red/purple grape juice) has further been speculated to be derived from a group of compounds variously called flavonoids, catechins, tannins and proanthocyanidins which are found at high concentrations in red wine. These compounds are found at especially high levels in the seeds of the grape, where they can be extracted and concentrated for use as a dietary supplement. Research on the chemical properties of grape seed extract has shown them to be powerful antioxidants, or free radical scavengers ¨C even more potent than the more commonly used antioxidant vitamins like C and E.