There are a limited number of alternative, complementary treatment options when you have rheumatoid arthritis. There are omega-3 fatty acids, acupuncture, and curcumin, but other than that your wellness seems to be in the hands of Western medicine. Yet, one more therapy may be soon joining this exclusive club, as it has been the subject of several recent studies; grape seed extract.
Grapes and red wine are known to benefit your wellness. Studies have shown that they are a good source of antioxidants and one certain phytonutrient, resveratrol, which has beneficial effects on heart disease, aging, and other health issues. But what about the grape seeds themselves? In the seeds of grapes, compared to the skin or pulp, there are extremely high concentrations of vitamin E, linoleic acid, flavonoids, and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs). All of these are potent antioxidants which help chronic venous insufficiency (accumulation of blood pools in the legs).
So what does the evidence suggest? A recent PLoS ONE study investigated whether or not grape seed proanthocyanid extract could have an impact on bone damage and chronic inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers discovered that, in mice, grape seed extract relieves symptoms associated with cartilage and bone damage and, in people, stops osteoclastogenesis, a process by which your bone cells break down and destroy bone. Grape seed extract also provided antioxidant benefits in the cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the researchers concluded that it ‘may be beneficial for the treatment of inflammation-associated bone destruction.’
Another study looked into how grape seed extract’s anti-inflammatory properties work, and whether they could be helpful in reducing symptoms of autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers discovered that, in human cells and in mice, grape seed extract reduced the levels of certain key arthritis related factors. Thus, the investigators concluded that grape seed extract ‘may serve as a possible novel therapeutic agent for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.’
So what does this mean for you? It’s far too early for anyone to recommend grape seed extract for rheumatoid arthritis, but the nutrient is considered safe and people do take this supplement for a number of other conditions. If you are considering the product, make sure it contains at least a 95% OPC content, or else is standardised to 40 to 80% percent proanthocyanidins. As always, before you take a supplement you should consult your doctor.
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