Disclaimer: Scientific studies are for informational and educational purpose only. We do not claim therapeutic benefits for FrenchGlory Isotonic OPC antioxidants. 
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation can be understood in two two kinds: normal and abnormal inflammation. Inflammation is one of the responses of our immune system to a pathogen - any organism capable of producing disease. Other stimuli to trigger inflammation include damaged cells, irritants and antigens that induce allergic reactions.
Inflammation is the auto immune response of living organisms for the purpose of self-defense, like a command for other cells of the organism to attack and to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process. Normal inflammation is an initial and acute response of the organism, causing the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes (especially granulocytes) from the blood into the injured tissues for healing wounds and stopping infections.
While inflammation is normally closely regulated by the body, abnormal inflammation is usually chronic, and is accociated with weak immune system or immune disorder. The chronic inflammation is characterized by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue. The progressive self destruction of the tissue usually leads to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, periodontitis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer (e.g., gallbladder carcinoma).
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on the Market
There are many types of anti-inflammatory drugs available on the market. Steroids, glucocorticoids, or corticosteroids reduce inflammation or swelling by binding to glucocorticoid receptors.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, and suppress COX enzyme from synthesizing prostaglandins and creating inflammation. In the other words, the synthesized prostaglandins catalyzed by COX enzyme lead to inflammation and the pain. Some common examples of NSAIDs are: aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
There are a variety of side effects associated with anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, NSAIDs may cause gastric erosions, which can become stomach ulcers and in extreme cases can cause severe haemorrhage, resulting in death. Other adverse effects include exacerbating asthma and causing kidney damage. Some prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs may cause myocardial infarction and stroke.
Grape seed extract for your optimal immune system
Grape Seed Extract has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help moderate allergic and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine and prostaglandin productions. Commercial products of grape seed extract as dietary supplement are antioxidants. It acts against oxidative stress and tissue damage and has demonstrated itself to offer better protection than either vitamins C or E.
An Example of Scientific Studies
One of the scientific articles was published in Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry in 2009 Mar; 20(3):210-8, demonstrating the potent anti-inflammatory activity of grape seed extract. The effect of grape seed procyanidin intake was investigated in rats fed a high-fat diet. High fat diets are known to cause an increase in inflammation that is often related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Male Zucker Fa/fa rats were randomly grouped to receive a low-fat (LF) diet, a high-fat (HF) diet or a high-fat diet supplemented with procyanidins from grape seed (HFPE) (3.45 mg/kg feed) for 19 weeks and were then euthanized. The two biochemical parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-6 levels in plasma were evaluated. Adipose tissue depots and body weight were also determined. CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha and adiponectin gene expression were assessed in liver and white adipose tissue (WAT).
Rats fed the HF diet show an enhanced production of CRP - an indication of inflammation. The results demonstrate that grape seed extract diet decreases rat plasma CRP levels but not IL-6 levels. The decrease in plasma CRP in GSE-fed rats is related to a down-regulation of CRP mRNA expression in the liver and mesenteric WAT. The expression of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the mesenteric WAT was found decreased significantly. Grape seed extract was also related to an increase in adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory compound. These results suggest a beneficial effect of grape seed extract on low-grade inflammatory diseases. Grape seed extract is shown to inhibit the proinflammatory molecules CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha and to enhance production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine adiponectin.
These findings provide a significant evidence of grape seed extract as dietary supplement in reducing obesity-related adipokine dysregulation to manage cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.
† The contents in this website have not been evaluated by the US Food & Drug Administration. Vitaflavan® grape seed extract and FrenchGlory® OPC antioxidants are nutritional supplements, not intended to diagnose, treat, care for or prevent any diseases.
Copyright © 2010-Present, Isotonic OPC Antioxidants, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Grape Seed Extract Is Demonstrated Potent Anti-inflammatory Properties
