Dr. Joseph A. Vinson, professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania has announced the completion of two in vivo studies using MegaNatural Gold® grape seed extract derived from California grapes. The studies showed a high quantity and quality of polyphenolic antioxidants in the MegaNatural products and a significant decrease in total cholesterol in high cholesterol subjects as well as a decrease in the heart-harmful LDL in all study participants.

The first study tested the absorption of 600 mg of MegaNatural Gold grape seed extract in a group of 12 adults with normal and high cholesterol. The total plasma antioxidant activity increased 12% after both one and two hours. This was a significant increase in antioxidant activity, equivalent to consuming 1250 mg of vitamin C.

"MegaNatural Gold showed that it is superior to grape juice and also superior in quality to the vitamin antioxidants," Dr. Vinson noted. "As a result, the polyphenol antioxidants in MegaNatural Gold are absorbed in humans."¹

Dr. Vinson’s second investigation pursued the effect of a long-term supplementation with 300 mg of MegaNatural Gold taken as gelatin capsules with juice at breakfast and at supper by 17 subjects (13 women and four men). The participants were normocholesterolemic (n=9) and hypercholesterolemic (n=8) with a plasma cholesterol > 200 mg/dl, 5.17 mM. They took the supplement for a period of three weeks and a fasting blood sample was taken both before and at the end of the three week period. Plasma was analyzed for total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL (calculated), plasma antioxidant activity, plasma oxidizability with cupric ion and LDL+VLDL oxidizability cupric ion.

According to Dr. Vinson, the study showed no change in total cholesterol for the whole group. However, the high cholesterol subjects experienced a significant 12% decline in cholesterol. LDL decreased significantly in all subjects (9%), but there was a greater decrease (16%) in the high cholesterol subjects than expected. There was no significant change in any of the plasma or LDL+VLDL oxidation characteristics.

"Analogous to several studies with grape juice, MegaNatural Gold was not a long-term in vivo antioxidant in humans," Dr. Vinson said. "This probably means the polyphenols clear from the plasma after an overnight fast."

¹ Bose, Pratima Ph.D, Proch, John B.S., and Vinson, Joe Ph.D. "MegaNatural™ Gold Grapeseed Extract: In Vitro Antioxidant and in Vivo Human Supplementation Studies." Journal of Medicinal Food, Vol. 4, No. 1. 2001. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Back to What's New