Grape Skin Extract

What It Is

This is an easy one. Grape skin extract is just as the name implies – the extract of grape skins.

There are two beneficial components found in grape skin. One is pycnogenols, which come from the family of antioxidant polyphenols or acid compounds. The main working compounds in grape skin pigments are called oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPCs for short.

OPCs are concentrated in grape seeds and skins, beans, wine, green and black teas. The more intense the color the more OPCs tend to be in the food. That’s why red wine has greater health benefits than white. When red wine is made, the skins, seeds, and stems are left in the mixture for a long period of time as the wine ferments and that’s when the OPCs emerge. This is by no means an encouragement to drink mass quantities of red wine! You can get the benefits from taking the extracts in a tablet and without the side effects of alcohol.

What It Does

The beneficial OPCs in red grape skins include bioflavonoids (catechins, flavonols, quercetin and anthocyanidins) and nonbioflavonoid polyphenols (acid derivatives). The important nonbioflavonoid for Type 2 diabetics is resveratrol. Resveratrol is a plant-based enzyme that acts as an antioxidant, antimutagen and anti-inflammatory. Resveratrol has been shown to play a roll in lessening the effects of diabetes as well as many other conditions most involving blood circulation.

As recent as March 2008, research at the Peninsula Medical School in South West England found that resveratrol can protect against the cellular damage to blood vessels that is caused by high production of glucose in diabetes. Resveratrol stops the damage by helping cells make protective enzymes that prevent electron leakage and toxic free radical production.

Grape skin extract is just one of 22 ingredients in the Vita-Betic™ blend multi-vitamin, mineral and herb supplement, formulated to meet the dietary needs of diabetics. Click here for more information on the Vita-Betic formula, or click here for information how to receive FREE vitamins.

"The information presented here is intended for educational purposes only. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease. Individual results will vary. Before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider."