Grape Seed for Eyes
Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
Eyes are always working except when you are asleep and in this era where everything is going digital your eyes are more vulnerable to damage than ever before.
Therefore, it needs proper care, rest, and hygiene measures to maintain the health of your eyes. Additionally, you should eat healthy foods and try to incorporate such dietary supplements into your daily routine that facilitates optimal functioning of the eye.
One such dietary supplement that works wonders for your eyes is grape seed extract. It is an antioxidant that provides many benefits not only for your eyes but also for your cardiovascular and digestive systems.
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT
Grapes and its byproducts have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The naturally occurring watery liquid known as grapevine sap or grape pearls that drips from the freshly pruned grape vines was used to make ointments for skin and eye diseases.
The leaves of grapes were used to relieve pain, stop bleeding and reduce inflammation. Ancient people also used to treat sore throat with unripe grapes. Dried grapes were used to relieve constipation and ripe grapes were used to treat different diseases of skin, eyes, kidneys, and liver.
In today’s world, the seeds of grape plants are crushed to obtain grape seed extract which is used as a dietary supplement. The grape seed extract is rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes.
Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) are powerful antioxidants and contribute to the healing properties of grape seed extract. These antioxidants prevent eye, skin, and heart diseases and protect your body against oxidative stress, tissue damage, and inflammation.
BENEFITS OF GRAPE SEED FOR EYES
Grapes have a long history of being used in the treatment of different eye diseases. Following are is a detailed description of conditions in which grape seed extract supplements can come handy.
NIGHT VISION
Cells in the innermost layer of the eye i.e. retina enable you to see in the settings of dim light and help you distinguish between different colors.
Retinal cells can be damaged due to oxidative damage by free radicals, stress, or blue light emitting from mobile phones, computers, and laptops. When these cells are damaged you tend to have poor vision, especially in low light.
The grape seed extract supplements fight free radicals, reverse oxidative damage and have a protective effect against stress-induced death of retinal cells. In this way grape seed extract preserves and improves your night vision.
CATARACT
Our eyes have a transparent lens through which light enters the inside of the eye and an image is formed. The condition in which the lens of the eye becomes clouded is known as a cataract.
The cloudiness of the lens impairs your vision and your eyes become more sensitive to light or glare. Cataracts can also cause double vision and the appearance of halos around light.
Smoking, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are some of the risk factors for cataracts and if you fall under any of these categories then you should take special care of your eyes.
Grape seed extract supplement may help you prevent the formation of cataracts. Proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract can reduce the oxidative damage to the lens of the eye and may also reverse it. By doing so grape seed supplements not only prevents cataract formation but may also improve your vision.
MACULAR DEGENERATION
Macular degeneration or loss of central vision is a common disorder in elderly people. In this condition, only central vision is lost, and peripheral vision is retained but overall you perceive a blurry image.
Initially, it may affect only one eye but can progress to both eyes if left unchecked. Grape seed extract supplements containing oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes reduce visual stress and can prevent and slow down the progression of macular degeneration.
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
The typical dose of grape seed extracts for adults ranges between 100-300 milligrams per day. However, it is advised to consult with your doctor for the appropriate dosage according to your requirements.
RIGHT WAY TO CONSUME GRAPE SEED CAPSULE
Grape seed extract capsules are consumed orally. It is advised not to crush or chew the extended-release tablets or capsules otherwise the entire quantity of the drug is released at a time and may increase the risk of side effects.
It is also advised that you do not split the tablet into two unless it has a score line or you are instructed by your pharmacist or doctor to do so.
Grape seed extract may prevent also prevent the growth of gut friendly bacteria like lactobacillus. These bacteria are commonly found in fermented products such as yogurt.
Hence, it is recommended to ensure that there is a gap of atleast two hours between the consumption of grape seed extract and products that contain gut friendly lactobacillus bacteria.
SIDE EFFECTS OF GRAPE SEED EXTRACT
Grape seed extract supplements are generally considered safe to use but following side effects may occur especially if someone consumes it beyond the recommended limit or in an inappropriate way:
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Sore throat
In rare cases, grape seed extract can trigger a serious allergic response. If you notice any symptoms such as rash, swelling, itching, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness then stop consuming the supplement and immediately seek medical attention.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
Although the grape seed extract supplement does not have any adverse effects on your body but it must be used with great care especially in the following circumstances:
- Pregnancy – Grape seed extract is generally not recommended during pregnancy but it is advised to consult with your healthcare provider regarding its usage.
- Breastfeeding – There is not enough data available about the consumption of grape seed extract supplements during breastfeeding. It is not yet clearly known whether it passes to breast milk or not.
It is better to stay on the safe side and avoid the consumption of grape seed while you are breastfeeding. However, it is still recommended to consult your doctor before taking any step.
- Diabetics or liver disease patients – The liquid form of grape seed extract may contain sugar and alcohol. In case you have diabetes, liver disease, or alcohol dependence then speak to your doctor before starting grape seed extract supplements.
- Sensitivity to allergens – Grape seed extract may contain products that can elicit an allergic response. Tell your pharmacist or doctor about any allergies that you might and then use the grape seed extract supplement as per the doctor’s instructions.
INTERACTIONS OF GRAPE SEED EXTRACT WITH THERAPEUTIC DRUGS
Grape seed extract supplements contain ingredients that might interact with medicines you take for different health conditions. Two of the common interactions of grape seed extract with therapeutic drugs are explained below:
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT AND ANTICOAGULANTS
Anticoagulants are drugs that act to stop blood from forming clots. The grape seed extract has a very similar effect on blood clotting i.e. it makes your blood thin and prevents the formation of clots.
If you take an anticoagulant drug and grape seed extract in combination then the effect anticoagulant effect of the drug is amplified. As a result, you are more prone to get bruised or bleed.
Hence it is recommended that you discuss regarding the consumption of grape seed extract supplements with your physician especially when you are taking anticoagulant drugs or have any bleeding disorder.
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT AND DRUGS METABOLIZED BY LIVER
Many of the therapeutic drugs that you take for different health conditions are metabolized by your liver. This metabolism is essential in both the activation of the drug and its elimination from the body.
The grape seed extract supplements can alter the rate at which some drugs are metabolized by your liver. Consequently, either you do not achieve the therapeutic effect of the drug, or its side effects are amplified.
Therefore, always speak with your physician about your ongoing medications before starting grape seed extract supplements.
IN A NUTSHELL
Your eyes let you appreciate the beauty of nature and help you perform day-to-day activities. However, stress, environmental pollution, oxidative damage, and blue light from digital devices all are damaging your eyes on a daily basis.
Therefore, to maintain the health of your eyes you must take great care of them. Some of the ways to do so include giving proper rest to your eyes, maintaining good hygiene of the eyes, and eating eye-healthy foods.
The grape seed extract is one such dietary supplement that prevents your eyes from multiple conditions including macular degeneration and cataract formation. It also preserves and improves your night vision.
It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before taking the grape seed extract supplement especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medicines for any underlying health conditions.
Here you can check Vorst's premium grape seed extract 60 capsules and 90 capsules and resveratrol with grape seed 400mg.
RESOURCES
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28914789/