Grape Seed Extract Dosage

Although people prefer seedless grapes, grape seeds offer a number of health benefits. People know about the use of grapes in wine making; but they generally don't know that grapes and other parts of the grapevine have been in use, for both nutritive and medicinal purposes, since centuries. In Indian traditional medicine, grape seed extract was used to treat snakebites. It is a common home remedy to relieve constipation and it also works great for cases of sore throat.

Grape Seed Extract Benefits

• The extract prevents cardiovascular diseases and edema.
• It prevents collection of platelets to form clots, which cause strokes.
• It prevents the growth of cancer cells in the breast, stomach, colon, prostate, skin and lungs.
• It promotes fast wound healing.
• It is believed that grape seed extract improves blood sugar levels and vision.
• It helps prevent tooth decay by preventing the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity.
• It increases the bone density and thus, reduces the chances of having osteoporosis.
• Antioxidants rich extract of grape seeds protects the skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and also prevents premature aging.
• Antioxidants help maintain the normal levels of blood pressure, by protecting the blood vessels from damage and also, by acting as a muscle relaxant.

As a herbal medicine, the extract is quite safe if taken in appropriate doses.

Grape Seed Extract Dosage

Oral capsules or tablets containing 50 mg or 100 mg grape seed extract are available everywhere. The extract is also available in liquid form. You may add some drops of liquid extract to water or some other liquid and then drink it. This extract is not recommended for children. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take grape seed supplements. Since there are various uses of grape seed extract, the dosage may vary from person to person. It will vary according to the aim.

First of all, you should buy extract manufactured by a reliable brand. You should read the label carefully and check the ingredients and their proportions cautiously. Products which have been standardized to 40 - 80% proanthocyanidins or an OPC content of not less than 95% are good for consumption. Adults may take 25 - 150 mg of such a standardized extract 1-3 times daily. It will protect them against free radical damage. For chronic venous insufficiency, 150 - 300 mg grape seed extract dosage (daily) is recommended. Taking the extract 200 - 400 mg daily, for 10 - 30 days is essential if you want to fight water retention or edema. At the recommended dosage, it is safe to consume the extract for up to 12 weeks.

Grape seed extract should not be confused with grapefruit seed extract. Grapefruit seed extract benefits include maintaining pH levels, fighting colon cancer, fighting allergic reactions, infections like candidiasis and stomach disorders, etc.

The above instructions about the dosage of grape seed extract should be considered as guidelines only. The extract should be taken strictly under the guidance of a physician, who knows well about your overall health. Overuse or wrong way of consumption can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications, leading to health complications. More research is needed to confirm the interactions between grape seed extract and medicines or other supplements. You may experience a few side effects of this extract, after taking it over an extended period, for example, an increase in the clotting time of blood, headache, a dry, itchy scalp, dizziness or nausea. Since the benefits outweigh the side effects, grape seed extract is extremely popular among health conscious people.