The Miracle of Grape Seed Extract

Cancer is a term that often conjures up frightening connotations of treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation . . . and possibly an ultimate result of death. Fortunately, scientists and researchers are constantly looking at ways to stop cancer in its tracks, and they may have found a new one: grape seed extract. Keep reading for more information on this exciting discovery.

The Research on Grape Seed Extract
In a recent study, scientists discovered that a certain grape seed extract was able to destroy leukemia cells within the timeframe of 24 hours. Leukemia is a fatal type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Truly the term “leukemia” encompasses more than just the cancer of the bone marrow, but that’s the mainstream affliction.

The experiment was done at the University of Kentucky and found that the extract activated a particular protein called JNK. The JNK protein regulates a type of cell-signaling path which inevitably leads to the cancer cell’s death.

The tests were done with grape seed extract that’s commercially available and was given in varying doses to the cancerous cells. The extract caused the cancer cells to die but did nothing to healthy cells, which is of course a plus. Higher doses killed more cancer.

When the researchers, however, took the JNK protein from the extract, the extract proved ineffective. Which is clear proof that the JNK protein and the gene that controls it is necessary in the extract to combat the cancer.

Xianglin Shi, the professor in the Graduate Center for Toxicology at the University said that the grape seed extract could be utilized on other types of cancers as well. Treatment and prevention of cancers and also other hematological malignancies (cancers of the blood and bone marrow) is an absolute possibility, according to Shi. But she also states that, although the research is promising, nothing is set in stone quite yet.

Side effects from the research seem to be nominal, and headache and nausea were noted as the worst.

Other studies had already shown that grape seed extracts might reduce the size of tumors or even cause cancer cell death, but nothing truly conclusive had been brought to the table.

This recent discovery is fantastic news in terms of the fight against cancer, not only for scientists and doctors, but for the average person looking to prevent cancer.

Other Health Benefits of Grape Seed Extract
In addition, trials performed with grape seed extract have shown it’s helpful in reducing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor blood circulation. It also has proven helpful for persons with diabetes, helping with nerve damage to eyes and other vision problems. It has benefits to both the heart and the brain, and helps with wound healing.

The extract comes in tablets and capsules of varying sizes, with prices ranging from $20 to $100 depending on the size and amount that you’re looking to buy. Grape seed extract is available at most vitamin or health food stores.