Does grape seed extract lower bad cholesterol?
Grape seed and skin contain several active components including flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins,
proanthocyanidins, procyanidines, and the stilbene derivative resveratrol. [4] Now, does grape seed
extract lower bad cholesterol?

High cholesterol, a significant cardiovascular risk factor, is prevalent in the American population. Many drugs lower
circulating cholesterol levels, but they are not infrequently associated with severe side effects. Accordingly, natural
means to lower cholesterol levels safely would be welcomed. [1]

Grape seed proanthocyanidins extract, whose principal ingredients are proanthocyanidins; most are strong
antioxidants. Vigana GB and co-workers from University of Ferrara, Italy, supplied 150 mg of a grape procyanidin
extract twice a day to healthy male heavy smokers for four weeks. At the end of the study, subjects did not show
significant improvement on total cholesterol, bad cholesterol and triglyceride! .............Why? [3]

In a study of rats suffered from nephrosis, researchers from Children's Hospital of Michigan observed grape seed
extract (at dose of 10 mg/100 g) could also lower serum cholesterol and even triglyceride levels. [2] Please, that “1
pound = 453.6 grams” and the dose is 40 mg of grape seed extract per 100 g of rat weight, this means “human need
to take a few grams of that grape seed extract to achieve the effect of lowering bad cholesterol”.

Combined with other actives, that one may not need to have such high doses to low bad cholesterol. In 2000,
researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center supplied 40 human subjects twice a day with high cholesterol
(210-300 mg/dL) with either placebo, chromium polynicotinate 200 microg, grape seed extract 100 mg, or a
combination of chromium polynicotinate and grape seed extract at the same dosage. Two months later, the average
percent change in the total cholesterol from baseline among groups was: placebo -3.5%, grape seed extract -2.5%,
chromium polynicotinate -10%, and the combination -16.5%. Again, the combination of chromium polynicotinate and
grape seed extract significantly lower bad cholesterol, i.e. LDL, when compared to placebo. [1]

A few more words…..

The effectiveness of a grape seed extract depends on its extraction ratio, purity, dosage form, composition, dose and
the users’ conditions as well. Discuss with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Grape Seed Extract - Benefits
Grape Seed Extract - Side Effects
Resveratrol Side Effects and Benefits
Resveratrol - Cancer
Resveratrol - Diabetes
Resveratrol - Arthritis
Resveratrol - Cream

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Reference:
[1] Preuss HG, Wallerstedt D, Talpur N, Tutuncuoglu SO, Echard B, Myers A, Bui M,
Bagchi D. Effects of niacin-bound chromium and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the lipid profile of
hypercholesterolemic subjects: a pilot study. J Med. 2000;31(5-6):227-46. [2] Mattoo TK, Kovacevic L. Effect of grape
seed extract on puromycin-aminonucleoside-induced nephrosis in rats. Pediatr Nephrol. 2003 Sep;18(9):872-7. Epub
2003 Jun 26. [3] Vigna GB, Costantini F, Aldini G, Carini M, Catapano A, Schena F, Tangerini A, Zanca R, Bombardelli
E, Morazzoni P, Mezzetti A, Fellin R, Maffei Facino R. Effect of a standardized grape seed extract on low-density
lipoprotein susceptibility to oxidation in heavy smokers. Metabolism. 2003 Oct;52(10):1250-7. [4] Nassiri-Asl M,
Hosseinzadeh H. Review of the pharmacological effects of Vitis vinifera (Grape) and its bioactive compounds.
Phytother Res. 2009 Jan 12
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