And how can the skin and body benefit from this amazing extract?
Vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract (GSE), is making its debut as a superior antioxidant and is gradually proving to hold it’s own in contributing towards today’s sophisticated environment of natural health and beauty remedies.
Winemaking can be dated back to about 8,000 years ago in Georgia, a country in the Caucasus region between Asia and Europe. It is now practised worldwide. In the past, grape seeds were disposed of as a waste product. Recently, many seedless varieties have been introduced and have become extremely popular. Despite this, the future is proving to be far from grim for these little seeds as studies progressively reveal that the seeds could actually provide many of the health and beauty promoting benefits of grapes.
Too many free radicals in our body can create an imbalance, leading to oxidative stress and problems such as tissue damage and loss of collagen. We may feel fatigued; suffer from muscle or joint pain, inflammation or blocked arteries; experience brain fog; or our skin might start to display fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots or loose, sagging skin. Free radicals can occur naturally in the body or can be introduced from outside by things like pollution, and can damage cells and contribute to the ageing process. We need some assistance to protect against them and to fight them off with an aim to naturally stimulate our internal defence systems. Introducing antioxidants into our health routine is an ideal way to introduce some armour and weapons for this task.
Oxidative Stress – What is it? | Advancing Health Naturally
As an aside, many of the Cell Defence products contain Vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract. Due to the research on its great benefits mentioned above and below.
Why is Vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract (GSE) so superior?
It has been reported that:
- phenolic compounds are the main components of GSE;
- an overwhelming 92% to 95% of these phenolic compounds can consist of oligomeric proanthocyanidins1 ;
- Proanthocyanidins have displayed greater antioxidant capabilities than either of Vitamins C or E 2 (14) and
- Proanthocyanidins have shown to reduce the lipid oxidation of the cellular structure of the skin and inhibit the production of free radicals (Markus and Morris 2008).
GSE also contains Vitamin E, Linolenic acid, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Phosphorus, Calcium and Zinc.
It has shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded the vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract to be safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics.
All this makes it an even more powerful and safe weapon to help relieve many symptoms and to enhance and maintain skin integrity.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Heart Disease
Grape seed extract has displayed the ability to help manage symptoms of cardiovascular disease by strengthening the defence systems against this disease and neutralising free radicals. Studies have shown that GSE has cardio protective effects as well as the ability to minimise oxidative stress. This is done firstly by lowering the oxidant levels and secondly by improving the antioxidant levels in plasma. This results in helping to modify the existence of oxidation of the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) which is the bad cholesterol. This process can help minimise the risk of heart disease by addressing the build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries and assisting with the prevention of blood clotting. It can also assist in reducing leg swelling and edema and alleviating inflammation.
Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract induced mitochondria-ass… : Chinese Medical Journal (lww.com)
Fatigue
Studies have shown that there is an association between
fatigue generated by exhaustive exercise
and
oxidative stress injury, inflammation and abnormal functioning of the mitochondria.
“Mitochondrion is the place of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. The human body needs more ATP to maintain muscle contraction and movement during exercise. However, exhaustive exercise can lead to damaged mitochondria that further cause skeletal muscle damage and fatigue.” 3 (38)
The anti-oxidant capabilities of GSPE have shown to assist with fatigue created by exhaustive exercise and also play a part in protecting against oxidative stress. Studies have also suggested that GSPE has the potential to improve mitochondrial dysfunction and there is a possibility that it could be used to treat uremia toxin-induced injury.
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=19&contentid=grapeseedextract
Cancer
GSE may have an anti-oxidant effect which could have the potential to lower the risk of certain cancers.
GSE may also be able to help with type 2 diabetes 4 (15) , alzheimers disease and reducing iron levels of people with hemochromatosis.
Grape Seed: Health Benefits, Nutrients, Preparation, and More (webmd.com)
BENEFITS FOR SKIN
Protection from Ageing
Today, a large majority of the population want to maintain a youthful appearance. The harmful effects of the sun and the environment can make this an arduous task. Unfortunately, the facial skin is more prone to UV radiation, often resulting in photo ageing and giving skin a sagging and wrinkled appearance. Grape Seed Extract can help to counteract this process by giving some extra support against the harmful UV rays. Grape seed extract can increase hydration and help maintain collagen, revealing a smoother and more supple complexion.
Wound healing
Studies have indicated that Grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract (GSE), with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may have the potential to advance wound healing.
Grape seed extract: having a potential health benefits – PMC (nih.gov)