Grapeseed Extract Questions

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Jenniferz
Jenniferz Member Posts: 541
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

I was wondering if anyone is taking grapeseed extract. It is supposed to be a natural AI. I am on Femara, and was thinking of maybe taking this when I stop it in about 18 months.



Questions---I read SOMEWHERE that if you are taking a cholesterol lowering medication, you should not use grapeseed extract. Can anyone tell me why? Also, if I could convince my pcp to let me try red yeast rice rather than the cholesterol med, would the affects be the same? Does the cholesterol lowering medication block the affect of the grapeseed extract?



Thanks.



Jennifer

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Comments

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited October 2009

    Jennifer, I think I can help answer one of your questions.  Your cholesterol-lowering drug is a statin, and red yeast rice also contains a statin (lovastatin, I think).  As statin is the active ingredient, it's probably likely that it would help lower your levels.  But would it really be an advantage (economically) to you?  I imagine your insurance covers the cost of the drug, but wouldn't cover the cost of the red yeast rice.

    However, one thing I have been trying is aged garlic in addition to the statin, and together they seem to be reducing my "off the charts" LDL (thanks to Femara) to more acceptable levels.

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited October 2009

    I take 100mg of grape seed extract each morning and night, along with other supplements.

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  • notready
    notready Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2009

    I have been taking Grapeseed Extract (300 mgs) a day since I finished my chemo/rad in June,2006.  I had read that there were studies about taking it for hormone positive breast ca. so I thought I would try it. I couldn't take the AI's, I tried several of them and there were just too many side effects.   So far, so good.  I don't know anything about the cholesterol med effect.

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  • tracyanne
    tracyanne Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2009

    My plastic surgeon puts his reconstruction patients on grapeseed extract three weeks before surgery to help prepare the skin for faster healing...so must be good stuff!

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited October 2009

    I always like to hear when doctors use supplements with traditional medicine.  It shows that they are open minded and keeping up with things.

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  • Jenniferz
    Jenniferz Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2009

    Thanks, ladies. I will be seeing my pcp and onc in Dec. and January, so I think I have alot of talking to do between now and then. From what I've read, grape seed extract is quite a little "wonder seed". Neither of my doctors are to open to alternative meds., but I'm hoping to change their minds. I'm tired of all these stupid pills. Well, it's only four...but geeze louise...I take more pills than my mother, and she's 89!



    Thanks again!

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited October 2009

    Jenniferz, my mother in law had 300+ cholesterol and has been on the red yeast rice and its down to 201.  go RYR!  her obgyn told her to take it. 

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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited October 2009

    tracyanne:  Should be good stuff, indeed. So I'm going to start using grapeseed extract.

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  • tracyanne
    tracyanne Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2009

    Walgreens has a line of skincare products called Merlot which are based on grape seed extract.  I just started using them this week and like them very much...they are affordable enough to try.  I especially like the shower gel--leaves my skin feeling very soft :- )

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  • brewster
    brewster Member Posts: 19
    edited October 2009

    The reason it is not recommended to use any products derived from grapefruit when taking statins (including those naturally found in Oyster mushrooms and red yeast rice) is due to an increased risk of a serious reaction/complication called rhabdomyolysis.

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  • brewster
    brewster Member Posts: 19
    edited October 2009

    >>I always like to hear when doctors use supplements with traditional medicine.  It shows that they are open minded and keeping up with things.<<

    More likely, they are just getting sick and tired of people asking them about it so they just say "Sure, why not" when there is no evidence of any harm.

    Some supplements have a lot of scientific support, many times more have very flimsy to none.  So it depends on which supplement in particular.

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