Anticancer Potential Of Grape Seed Extract

There are ways to fight cancer that don’t involve harsh or toxic chemicals like chemotherapy. We have already been looking for natural ways to treat and fight cancer. One such key can be the right grape seed dosage for cancer prevention.

Nature has got tons of cancer fighters. Many fruits and vegetables have some kind of chemopreventive agent. Grape seed extract (GSE) contains lots of antioxidants. The interest of consumers has peaked due to the fact that the antioxidants in the grape seed are superior to even Vitamin C and Vitamin E. The demand for grape seed is due to the high content of antioxidants in the form of proanthocyanidins. 

Not just one kind of cancer, but GSE has shown the capability to reduce tumor cell growth in the human breast, lung, and gastric cancer cell lines. Proanthocyanidins found in the GSE have a wider spectrum of chemoprotective properties against free radicals and oxidative stress. 

Why is choosing natural products like Grape seed extract for cancer helpful?

One of the challenges in cancer is whether the patient has the potential to recover after being treated for the illness. Chemotherapy and other anticancer drugs are great at killing cancer cells, but they are not capable of killing cancer stem cells. So, if the cancer stem cells reappear it can be very difficult to treat.

Studies have shown that grape seed extract not only kills colon cancer cells but also attacks cancer stem cells. Now, if you can target cancer stem cells, you can reduce the chance of recurrence of cancer, hence increasing the chances of getting rid of the disease, or at least you can slow the progression of the disease.

So, regular intake of grape seed and grape seed extract products can help you reduce the chances of getting various cancers. Taking a grape seed product is a smarter way because it ensures the right dosages plus the right frequency of GSE intake. It is a hassle-free approach as well.

GSE and Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer or colon cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women, accounting for 9% of all cancer deaths from all organs. Colorectal cancer is preventable because healthy lifestyle changes, especially dietary habits, can help reduce the risk of this malignant disease.

The anti-cancer effect of black grape extract is seen in cancerous human colon tissue through the inhibition of DNA turnover enzymes. As colon cancer cells progress, grape seed extracts stop their growth and survival. Stage IV cancer requires more chemotherapy than stage II, but the opposite is true for grape seed extract. Grape seed extract not only effectively targets cancer cells, but also leaves the healthy cells unscathed. This is the wonder of GSE’s preferential killing of the advanced colorectal cancer cells. 

GSE and Prostate Cancer

GSE inhibits the growth of prostate cancer PC3 cells and can treat prostate cancer. The ingredients in grape seed extract, like B2G2, are effective in killing prostate cancer cells. This is pointed out in a study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer. However, in a new study, researchers found that a component of GSE called B2G2 was the most active against cancer cells. It promotes cell death, known as apoptosis of prostate cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. In fact, it can be a healthier approach for slow-spreading prostate cancer patients to lean on the GSE.

GSE and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common infiltrative cancer in women. It is also the second most common cause of cancer-related death in women. However, the effective treatment is still not so clear. The role of oestrogen in the development of breast cancer (BC) is widely recognized, leading to the development of selective oestrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors for the treatment and prevention of BC. However, healthy women at high risk of BC hesitate to take it because of the potential for side effects. As a potential anticancer drug, grape seed procyanidins (GSP) have been shown to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells. GSE can be promising for women who are not willing to take such inhibitors.

GSE and Skin Cancer

Efforts were made to educate the overall populace about the techniques to save your skin. Some of them include, keeping away from the sun and using sunscreens. Although, extra procedures are necessary to manipulate and save you from the incidence of skin cancers. The chemicals contained in grape seeds may help prevent skin cancer from regular sun exposure. GSE appears to block the suppression of the immune system caused by UV light. It has antioxidant properties, and UV-induced oxidative stress is associated with the induction of skin cancer.

GSE and Other Cancers

This extract has anti-cancer effects on lung cancer, and gastric adenocarcinoma cells, oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, etc.

When to avoid GSE?

If you are taking warfarin or other anticoagulants then you should avoid GSE intake. According to laboratory studies, grape seeds can increase the risk of bleeding. The clinical relevance has not yet been determined. You are taking a CYP3A4 substrate drug and or, UGT substrate drugs. Laboratory studies suggest that grape seeds may increase the risk of side effects. Although, clinical relevance has not yet been determined.

Summing up

So, we have gone through how GSE can be effective against cancer cells. How you can avail its chemo preventive and anti-cancer properties to level up one’s ground and increase the quality of life.