Are Grape Seed Extract and Resveratrol the Same Thing?

The vitamins and supplements industry is a multi-billion dollar a year business. People are constantly clamoring to find protection from disease, treatment of conditions, or discover an anti-aging pill. Much research has gone into the compounds that many tout as “miracle cures”, but do they really work? Take grape seed extract and resveratrol, for example. Grape seed extract has been on the market for years and many swear by its ability to help eliminate free radicals in the body which are known to contribute to the growth of cancer cells. Resveratrol has recently come to light with many published scientific studies that prove its effect on mice in the laboratory. But can we believe the newest information? By breaking down the facts, one can make an informed decision and decide if supplements of this type are right for them.

In some studies, grape seed extract has been shown to sustain optimal platelet function and responses (J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2005 Oct, 46(4)445-51) as well as protecting the nervous system from free radicals (Int J Dev NeuroSci. 2005 Oct, 23(6)501-7). It is also believed that this substance can contribute to healthy collagen formation in the cells of the body, including scar tissue and skin regeneration. The compounds responsible for these remarkable effects are proanthocyanidins and flavonoids. They are naturally-occurring in the seeds of grapes and are extracted through a specialized process that preserves their health benefits.

Resveratrol has recently been in the news as well as medical journals due to its promising results in laboratory experiments involving studies in mice. Many different studies have been done and include a wide span of findings. One study in 2008 showed that the same benefits as red wine were achieved in mice. This replicated the so-called “French Irony” whereby the French eat a diet rich in saturated fat, but show a one-third reduction in heart disease as Americans.  Another study in 2009 reported that the activity of tumors was reduced by supplementing mice with a standard diet and doses of resveratrol. Yet another study found that the gene expression of anti-aging markers was altered due to the substance’s presence in the mice’s systems.

Related to the other studies, but even more promising, were the possibilities for future cures for heart and cardiovascular disease as well as cancer. Specifically, the medical community has discovered that mice given this potent antioxidant have responded with an inhibited rate of cancer cell growth. They tested gliomas, or brain cancer cells, in the laboratory. The substance slowed cancer cell replication as well as in the samples of breast and colon cancer cells they tested. The cancer cells also began to go into a state of apoptosis, or self-destruction. The results in small animal studies published on May 15, 2009 by NaturalNews have also revealed that resveratrol was able to inhibit the actions of 2 proteins, AMPK and SIRT 1. They expounded by stating that “The higher levels and activity of the two key proteins led to a decrease in other proteins, specifically those involved in the buildup of liver fat.”

When combined into an oral supplement, generally a 60 capsule container of 100 mg strength taken 1 or 2 times a day, the advantages of both grape seed extract and resveratrol are undeniable. Oral doses are rapidly absorbed and efficiently distributed through the blood for maximum health benefits for the entire body.