A study most recently published in Sao Paulo Medical Journal suggests that patients with mild to moderate hyperlipidemia may take red grape seed extract which is full of antioxidant oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes to reduce oxidative stress and prevent atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries.

The trial of 70 patients shows that 8-week supplementation with a red grape seed extract preparation lowered triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein AI (apo-AI) levels and paraoxonase (PON) activity in the patients with hyperlipidemia.  

The findings indicate that taking the red grape seed extract preparation at a dose of 200 mg per day can improve lipid profiles, reduce oxidative stress and prevent atherosclerosis in patients with mild to moderate hyperlipidemia.

The trial was conducted at conducted at Shahid-Modarres Hospital (Tehran, Iran) and Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Hyperlipidemia like other metabolic syndrome parameters like diabetes mellitus and hypertension is a metabolic parameter that along with other parameters suggests a high risk for cardiovascular disease.  In addition to red grape seed extracts, some other supplements may also help prevent atherosclerosis or heart disease. (David Liu)

Source: Argani H, Ghorbanihaghjo A, Vatankhahan H, Rashtchizadeh N, Raeisi S, Ilghami H.  The effect of red grape seed extract on serum paraoxonase activity in patients with mild to moderate hyperlipidemia.  Sao Paulo Med J. 2016 May 13. pii: S1516-31802016005003102.