Grapeseed fights cancer

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The extraordinary secret of the seeds in grapes

Grapeseed fights cancer NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsThe lifetime risk of getting cancer is about 53% for men and 48% for women. So good news on ways to cut that risk is important to every one of us.

Grape seeds or grapeseed extract may not be your first thought as part of a cancer preventative strategy, but many studies (fully referenced below) show that the seeds of grapes have important anti-cancer properties including against breast, prostate, melanoma, pancreatic and colon cancer.

The reason grapeseed extract is exciting scientists in the field is that it contains compounds have been found to inhibit the mechanisms behind cancer in multiple ways. These compounds include procyanidins, gallic acid and catechins.

Grapeseeds contain multiple cancer-fighting compounds

A multiple approach to help prevent or treat cancer is highly desirable, because most chemotherapy drugs tackle only one or two of the mechanisms to try to stop cancer spreading (metastasising).

Moreover, different people react in different ways to chemotherapy – as they do to nutrients in food. So the more interventions that can be used to inhibit the processes by which cancer originates, the more likely one of them is to be effective.

The University of Colorado has been studying the ability of grapeseed extract to kill cancer cells for over 17 years. This research, together with other work at the University of Maryland Medical Center, shows that the procyanidins in grapeseed extract have been found to have three key anti-cancer mechanisms:

  1. They suppress cell-signalling. Signalling is key to the ability of cancer cell to grow and spread, so suppressing it helps stop that growth.
  2. They damp down inflammation which otherwise encourages the spread of cancer cells.
  3. They stimulate cell death – what is called apoptosis. Encouraging cancer cells to die is essential, because cancer involves mutated cells that proliferate and refuse to die when they should.

Grapeseed fights cancer NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

Grapeseed helps inhibit colon cancer

Colon and bowel cancers are the third most deadly form of cancer. Most develop from polyps in the intestine.

Research published in the specialist cancer journal Neoplasia has found that Grape Seed Extract (GSE) can cut the number of large polyps by as much as 70%.

It has also been shown to reduce both the formation and the spread of cancer cells by over 80% and to help suppress tumour cells.

Even more importantly, grapeseed extract has been shown to suppress colon cancer stem cells – which is central to eliminating a cancer.

Grapeseed helps inhibit prostate cancer

Grapeseed also includes gallic acid and this compound appears very effective in decreasing the proliferation and size of prostate tumours. Studies show that the effect is dose-dependent – starting at 50mg a day as a daily preventative dose to as high as 200mg a day as treatment.

Other compounds in grapeseed help prevent angiogenesis – the growth of blood vessels that tumours need to maintain themselves and grow. If this blood supply is cut off, the tumours can shrink. Other research shows that a compound in soy isoflavones called genistein can do the same.

Of course, these desirable effects are not limited to prostate cancer – so grapeseed extract is indicated as part of an overall anti-cancer strategy.

Grapeseed helps inhibit breast cancer

There is evidence, from a study published in Breast Cancer Research Treatment, that grapeseed can enhance the effect of one of the common breast cancer chemotherapy drugs called doxorubicin (brand name Adriamycin).

Additionally, grapeseed’s strong anti-oxidant effect has been shown to protect and maintain heart muscle. This is important, as damage to the heart can be a side-effect of breast cancer therapy.

Grapeseed helps inhibit ALL cancers

Grapeseed extract has another very important anti-cancer mechanism – not just for breast, but all cancers. This includes pancreatic cancer, which has a low survival rate and is notoriously difficult to treat.

Grapeseed extract has been shown to reduce strongly the damaging effect of protein enzymes called MMPs (Matrix Metallo-Proteinases).

MMPs are important proteins for normal wound healing. BUT in excessive numbers, they are highly damaging and can literally chew through the matrix of cells that form the outer ‘mesh’ tissue walls of internal organs. The resulting breach allows cancer cells to spread or metastasise and invade other organs.

Grapeseed extract appears from research to be able to stop or slow the damage from MMPs and therefore help inhibit or even prevent cancer cells from spreading.

Other compounds that appear able to do this are curcumin and the flavonoids in dark-coloured berries such as bilberry and blackcurrants – and the catechins in green tea.

So combining all these compounds is a logical, natural, defensive strategy, as we do in the supplement NutriShield.

High doses for treatment alongside cancer drugs

If cancer has actually presented, however, the research indicates that high doses of grapeseed extract are needed – in conjunction with conventional cancer drugs. Some clinics are using doses as high as 1,200mg of grapeseed extract a day plus 1,000mg of curcumin taken with an oil source like Omega 3 for better bioavailability.

Brain health benefits of grapeseed

Grapeseed fights cancer NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

Grapeseed extract is both a powerful anti-oxidant and an anti-inflammatory. There is a lot of fatty tissue in the brain and therefore it is vulnerable to oxidation or free radical damage – in rather the same way as fats will oxidise (go rancid) in the presence of air/oxygen.

In animal experiments, grapeseed extract was found to inhibit free radical damage to the brain and help prevent loss of cognitive ability – even in the presence of a high fat diet.

Over the last few years, brain researchers have identified a key element in degenerative brain diseases as being the interaction in brain cells between inflammation and what is called excitotoxicity.

Excitotoxity is a highly complex process, but is essentially the over-activity of certain ‘excitatory amino acids’ including glutamate, leading to neuron death and potential dementia.

What is important is that studies show that grapeseed extract helps inhibit both inflammation and excitotoxicity. This may be why a study showed that patients who had been taking grapeseed extract prior to a stroke suffered less memory impairment.

Grapeseed fights cancer NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsIn one other important study, researchers concluded that grapeseed extract – along with other flavonoids like curcuminoids, green tea catechins, apigenin (found in parsley and onions) and luteolin (found in celery, thyme and chamomile tea) – can reduce the level and effect of age-related changes in the brain.  These flavonoids appear to act against the brain-toxic sticky protein called beta-amyloid and also tau protein tangles – both characteristics of dementia and especially Alzheimer’s.

It s for these reasons that there are now human trials ongoing using grapeseed extract as a specific natural adjunct treatment for Alzheimer’s.

The brain benefits of grapeseed extract are especially important for diabetic patients who are at increased risk of neural damage. Indeed, the US Government’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) suggests the use of grapeseed in:

“… complications related to diabetes, such as nerve and eye damage; vision problems, such as macular degeneration (which can cause blindness); swelling after an injury or surgery; cancer prevention; and wound healing.”

Finally, the multiple health benefits of grapeseed extract extend to help lowering blood pressure in overweight people and to improved heart function.

Start to take preventative action against cancer early

Although cancer appears mainly a disease of older people – most cases are first reported in over 65s – it is a slowly developing disease. So the first stages may be occurring as much as 10-15 years before it manifests itself.

Therefore, the time to take preventative action is in the very early 50s. As you will have seen, a grapeseed extract supplement is a logical part of that action. But it’s only a part, as there are many other actions you can take.

We have created a comprehensive report on the very best ways to cut the risk of cancer – and you can read it here: Reduce cancer risk and maximise your health span.

It is on the basis of the research outlined in this article that we have included grapeseed extract, green tea extract, soy isoflavones and curcumin in our over 50s daily health supplement NutriShield Premium.

 

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with family and friends. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter for daily headline health tweets.

Grapeseed fights cancer NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals And register now for a free regular e-newsletter on the latest in nutrition and health research.

Dr Paul Clayton designed NutriShield as a comprehensive healthGrapeseed fights cancer NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals supplement with OPTIMUM levels of essential nutrients including grapeseed extract. See more detail elsewhere on this site or click on the button.

Grapeseed fights cancer NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsDr Paul Clayton’s best-selling book Health Defence is available from bookstores or from Uni-Vite Healthcare here.

A free summary report and the opportunity to read the book online is available here.

See online here for delicious recipes from the Health Defence Cookbook  incorporating healthy foods featuring in a Mediterranean Diet. Grapeseed fights cancer NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

References

Dietary flavonoids: Role of (-)-epicatechin and related procyanidins in cell signalling. Fraga CG, Oteiza PI.  Free Radic Biol Med. 2011 Aug 15;51(4):813-23. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.06.002. Epub 2011 Jun 12.

Grape seed proanthocyanidins inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells through suppressing the protein kinase B/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. Ninggang Yang, Jing Gao, Xin Cheng, Cuilan Hou, Yaya Yang, Yanxin Qiu, Mengrou Xu, Yuan Zhang and Shuangsheng Huang. Int J Mol Med. 2017 Dec; 40(6): 1881–1888.

Fractionation of grape seed extract and identification of gallic acid as one of the major active constituents causing growth inhibition and apoptotic death of DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells. Veluri R, Singh RP, Liu Z, Thompson JA, Agarwal R, Agarwal C. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Jul;27(7):1445-53. Epub 2006 Feb 10.

Dietary Feeding of Grape Seed Extract Prevents Intestinal Tumorigenesis in APCmin/+ Mice. Balaiya Velmurugan, Rana P Singh, Nidhi Kaul, Rajesh Agarwal and Chapla Agarwal. Neoplasia. 2010 Jan; 12(1): 95–102.

Dietary grape seed extract ameliorates symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease in IL10-deficient mice. Wang H, Xue Y, Zhang H, Huang Y, Yang G, Du M, Zhu MJ. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2013 Dec;57(12):2253-7. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201300146. Epub 2013 Aug 21.

Synergistic anti-cancer effects of grape seed extract and conventional cytotoxic agent doxorubicin against human breast carcinoma cells. Sharma G, Tyagi AK, Singh RP, Chan DC, Agarwal R. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2004 May;85(1):1-12.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269775.php

Grape seed extract inhibits the growth of prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Huang TT, Shang XJ, Yao GH, Ge JP, Teng WH, Sun Y, Huang YF. 2008 Apr;14(4):331-3.

Grape seed extract induces apoptotic death of human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells via caspases activation accompanied by dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release. Chapla Agarwal, Rana P. Singh, Rajesh Agarwal. Carcinogenesis, Volume 23, Issue 11, 1 November 2002, Pages 1869–1876,

Molecular mechanisms of excitotoxicity and their relevance to pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases; Xiao-xia Dong, Yan Wang and Zheng-hong Qin. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2009 Apr; 30(4)

Multi-targeted therapy of cancer by genistein. Sanjeev Banerjee, Yiwei Li, Zhiwei Wang, and Fazlul h. Sarkar. Cancer Lett. 2008 Oct 8; 269(2): 226–242.

Anticancer and Cancer Chemopreventive Potential of Grape Seed Extract and Other Grape-Based Products. Manjinder Kaur, Chapla Agarwal, and Rajesh Agarwal. J Nutr. 2009 Sep; 139(9): 1806S–1812S.

Grape seed extract suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion by macrophages and inhibits human MMP-1 and -9 activities. La VD, Bergeron C, Gafner S, Grenier D. J Periodontol. 2009 Nov;80(11):1875-82. doi: 10.1902/jop.2009.090251.

Grape Seed Extract and Brain Cell Rejuvenation.  Yoo DY, Kim W, Yoo KY, Lee CH, Choi JH, Yoon YS, Kim DW, Won MH, Hwang IK. Phytother Res

Brain Bioavailability of Grape Seed Polyphenols. Mario G. Ferruzzi, Jessica K. Lobo, Elsa M. Janle, Naomi Whittaker, Bruce Cooper, James E. Simon, Qing-Li Wu, Cara Welch, Lap Ho, Connie Weaver and Giulio M. Pasinetti. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease

Grape Seed Extract Reduces Alzheimer’s Plaque. Jun Wang, Lap Ho, Wei Zhao, Kenjiro Ono, Clark Rosensweig, Linghong Chen, Nelson Humala, David B. Teplow, and Giulio M. Pasinetti. The Journal of Neuroscience

Role of grape seed polyphenols in Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology. Giulio Maria Pasinetti and Lap Ho. Nutr Diet Suppl. 2010 Aug 1; 2010(2): 97–103.

 

8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list

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Chia seeds are a nutrient-dense superfood

‘Chia’ means strength in the Mayan language, and in Mexico – where they originally come from – they were once even used as currency. They are the dried seeds of the Salvia hispanica plant.

8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

Chia seeds are high in fibre, very ‘nutrient dense’ and can give you a low-calorie energy boost. In fact, Aztec soldiers used to eat chia seeds for endurance on a long march – so the seeds were known as ‘runners’ food’.

Since they are so rich in nutrients (see below), chia seeds have many proven benefits:

  1. Heart health

    When eaten with a liquid – for example, sprinkled over your breakfast cereal – the fibre in chia seeds forms a gel that has been shown to lower cholesterol.

    Chia seeds also contain nutrients that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Since internal inflammation in body tissues is a key driver of heart disease and stroke (and some cancers), a diet that’s high in anti-inflammatory nurients is important for your health. (See the free e-booklet “Inflamm-ageing” here).

    The heart-healthy benefit of chia seeds is further boosted by the fact that they are a very good vegetarian source of Omega 3. Their high content of Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is converted into Omega 3 – although not as powerfully as in fish oil.

    Linolenic acid helps with the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, E, D and K.  Studies have shown that chia seeds can also help prevent damaging high triglyceride levels in the bloodstream.

    Medical News Today recommends chia seeds as “an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, rich in antioxidants, providing fibre, iron, and calcium.”

  2. Filling, low calorie and very low carb

    The fibre/gel effect we noted means that a meal that includes chia seeds will make you feel fuller longer, which should help in weight maintenance.

    The fibre/gel formed when chia seeds absorb water can also act as a prebiotic which in turn acts as food for healthy probiotics – the beneficial ‘friendly bacteria’ that have other benefits including improved immune function.

  3. Good for digestion

    Because of their very high fibre content (35%) – chia seeds are good for digestion. Indeed just 75g (3 ounces) provides 30g of fibre – the recommended daily level that most modern diets fail to reach. The high fibre content also means that chia seeds contribute to healthy regular bowel movements.

  4. Stabilises blood sugar – essential to help prevent and reverse diabetes

    This high fibre content means that the seeds – like flax seeds – help keep blood sugar levels steady and balance insulin levels. So diabetics should definitely include them regularly in their diet.

    An animal study reported in the British Journal of Nutrition 2009 showed that rats on an incredibly high sugar diet – 62.5% sugar – when also fed chia seeds, did not develop insulin resistance as would certainly be expected.

    Insulin resistance is, of course, the pre-cursor of diabetes. In a second part of this same study, rats who already had diabetes began to recover. Of special importance was the fact that their belly fat was reduced. It is this ‘belly fat’ or technically ‘visceral adipose tissue’ that releases damaging toxic and inflammatory compounds into the bloodstream.

    A review by the National Institute of Medicine found that diets with 30 grams of fibre for every 2,000 calories were associated with significant reductions in the risk of both coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

  5. Part of ‘anti-ageing’ diet

    Chia seeds are high in anti-oxidants which means they help fight excess free radicals that are strongly linked to premature ageing and damage to DNA. That also makes them good for healthy skin appearance.

  6. Stronger bones

    Chia seeds contain both calcium and boron – important elements for sturdier healthier bones.

  7. Ideal for work-outs

    Chia seeds absorb up to 10 times their own weight of water. This means they can keep you hydrated longer and improve the absorption of electrolytes. Plus they are a good source of minerals you need to replace like zinc, magnesium, copper and niacin (B3).

    The capacity of chia seeds to absorb water, however, means that people who have difficulty swallowing should take care – and very small children should avoid chia seeds for the same reason.

  8. In pregnancy

    Omega 3 is an important nutrient for a growing baby’s brain. Chia seeds are one of the best sources of vegetarian derived Omega 3.

How to include chia seeds in your diet

Unlike flax seeds, you do not need to grind up chia seeds to obtain their full nutritional benefits. You can, however, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before use if you want them in gel form – at about a 1 to 6 ratio of chia seeds to water.

If you grind them, however, store in a glass container in a fridge. Being high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, they can otherwise oxidise.

Because they are slightly nutty and mild in flavour, there are many easy ways to chia-enrich your diet:

  • Add chia seeds to home-made smoothies*
  • Add chia to cereals
  • Add chia to stir fries
  • Add chia to rice dishes
  • Add chia to baked recipes
  • Eat chia seeds raw – but chew thoroughly
  • You can even replace eggs with chia in some dishes. Grind and add water. Check out recipes.

*For a nutrient-dense smoothie, blend 2 tablespooons of chia seeds with 2 cups of spinach, a cup of strawberries and one of blueberries. It’s an anti-oxidant fest!

Nutritional content of chia seeds

Chia seeds are very low in sodium and contain no allergens or gluten. The nutritional values are:-

per 25g (2 tbsp) serving) per 100g
Energy (calories) 109 436
Protein 5g 20g
Fibre 9.48g 37.9g
Carbohydrate (Net) 0.5g 2g
Fat 7.75g 31g
of which Omega 3 fats as Alpha Linolenic Acid 4.4g (57%) 17.6g

PLUS (per serving)
Calcium: 18% of the RDA.
Manganese: 30% of the RDA.
Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.
They also contain significant amounts of Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2.

Nutrient-dense foods

One of the key benefits of chia seeds that health researchers have noted is that they are ‘nutrient dense’.  We developed the NutriShield nutritional supplement to be the most nutritionally dense supplement available. You can see it here.

 

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with family and friends. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter for daily headline health tweets.

8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsAnd register now for a free regular e-newsletter on the latest in nutrition and health research.

Dr Paul Clayton designed NutriShield as a comprehensive health8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals supplement with OPTIMUM levels of essential nutrients including Vitamin D. See more detail elsewhere on this site or click on the button.

8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsDr Paul Clayton’s best-selling book Health Defence is available from bookstores or from Uni-Vite Healthcare here.

A free summary report and the opportunity to read the book online is available here.

See online here for delicious recipes from the Health Defence Cookbook  incorporating healthy foods featuring in a Mediterranean Diet. 8 reasons why chia seeds should be on your shopping list NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

References:

Chicco AG, D’Alessandro ME, Hein GJ, Oliva ME, Lombardo YB (2009) Dietary chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) rich in alpha-linolenic acid improves adiposity and normalises hypertriacylglycerolaemia and insulin resistance in dyslipaemic rats. Br J Nutr 101:41–50

Vuksan V, Whitham D, Sievenpiper JL, Jenkins AL, Rogovik AL, Bazinet RP, Vidgen E, Hanna A (2007) Supplementation of conventional therapy with the novel grain Salba (Salvia hispanica L.) improves major and emerging cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes: results of a randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care 30:2804–2810

Burdge GC, Wootton SA (2003) Conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in young women. Br J Nutr 88:411–420 June 2012, Volume 67, Issue 2, pp 105–110