| Grapefruit seed extract is regarded as being natural | | | | fungal conditions of the skin, vaginal infections and |
| antibiotic that is effective against a broad range of | | | | yeast infections, and also colds and sore throats. It is |
| bacterial infections. It has also been used to treat | | | | also believed to support the immune system, not |
| parasitic infections and a range of viral infections as | | | | only by its antimicrobial properties but through its |
| well as having found uses for a wide variety of | | | | effect on intestinal health upon which much of our |
| medical conditions. | | | | immune system is dependent. It can also protect |
| So what is it about grapefruit seed that is so special? | | | | patients with symptoms of AIDs and other |
| Most people are acquainted with grapefruit, which as | | | | immunodeficiency conditions from infection. |
| a member of the citrus family of fruits, and not to | | | | Its effect on yeast infections around the nether |
| be confused with grapes which are a totally different | | | | regions of small children has been documented, and it |
| type of plant. Grape seed extract is also a useful | | | | has also been found to be very safe to young |
| natural medication, but used for totally different | | | | children. In fact many mothers have it as a |
| conditions. | | | | permanent addition to their medicine cabinet. |
| Because of its efficacy against parasitic and viral | | | | It is not that long ago when doctors believed all |
| infections, grapefruit seed extract is very useful in | | | | diseases to be due to bacteria or viruses. It is now |
| treating various forms of food poisoning. But, how | | | | becoming clear that a large proportion is actually due |
| was this remarkable property of the simple grapefruit | | | | to fungal infections and parasites. Many conditions |
| seed noticed? The answer to that depends very | | | | such as allergies, circulatory disease and some forms |
| much upon what version of the story of Einstein | | | | of arthritis have been shown to be due to fungal |
| Laureate physicist and immunologist Dr. Jacob Harich | | | | infections that weaken the immune system. |
| you believe. | | | | Grapefruit seed extract has been found to be |
| Dr. Harich was not only a scientist but a hobby | | | | effective in treating many types of fungal disease. |
| gardener in Florida, and the two versions of his story | | | | In using the extract in this way, and to treat bacterial |
| tell either that he decided to investigate why | | | | infections, it is best to start with a low dose and |
| grapefruit seeds tasted so bitter, or why the | | | | gradually increase it. This is because when fungi and |
| grapefruit seeds in his compost heap failed to | | | | bacteria are destroyed they release toxins, and too |
| compost, or rot. Whichever story is correct, and | | | | high a dose could result in too much toxin being |
| perhaps both are, the result was the discovery that | | | | produced for your body to handle. If you take it |
| grapefruit seeds appeared to be a very effective | | | | gradually you will get the same result, but without |
| antibiotic. | | | | the risk of the nausea and diarrhea which the toxins |
| In fact it has been shown to be effective against | | | | can cause. |
| over 800 strains of bacteria and viruses and also | | | | Despite all of these benefits, grapefruit extract has |
| effective against many fungi that lead to illness in | | | | not been given the credit it deserves, and much |
| humans. Because of this it is used in cased of food | | | | research has still to be done to establish the |
| poisoning that involve bacterial infection of the | | | | constituents of the seed that confer these |
| gastrointestinal tract. In fact during the latter part of | | | | properties. Among these are known to be |
| the 1980s, grapefruit seed extract was tested | | | | proanthocyanadins, a class of flavanols with strong |
| against a number of known antibiotics and found to | | | | antioxidant properties, and a diphenol |
| be as effective as any of them. Similar results | | | | hydroxybenzene complex that destroys bacteria |
| obtained in a number of tests in the USA and | | | | through the cytoplasmic membrane to prevent the |
| elsewhere in the world, and it appears that it is an | | | | uptake of amino acids and cause leakage of the cell |
| excellent treatment for the symptoms of food | | | | contents. Other active components are Vitamins C |
| poisoning. | | | | and E, tocopherols, limonoids and sterols, in addition |
| Not only that, but it has been found effective in the | | | | to a number of important minerals. |
| treatment of some immunodeficiency diseases, | | | | However, there is still much work to be done, |
| presumably because its antimicrobial properties does | | | | although the extract will continue to be used by |
| much of the work that the immune system would | | | | many devotees for the treatment, not only of food |
| normally do, and so relieves it of much of its hard | | | | poisoning symptoms, but also of conditions such as |
| work. This allows the immune system to concentrate | | | | acne, athlete's foot, gingivitis, cold sores, sinusitis and |
| on conditions which are exacerbated by deficiencies | | | | parasitic infections. It appears to be practically a |
| in its operation. | | | | cure-all. |
| Bifidobacteria and Loactobacilli are bacteria that are | | | | There appear to be no drug interactions, although |
| beneficial to the digestive system. The measure of a | | | | some medications do react with grapefruit juice, such |
| good broad spectrum antibiotic is that it does not | | | | as some treatments for high blood pressure. If your |
| affect the beneficial bacteria, and grapefruit seed | | | | treatment advises you not to take grapefruit juice, |
| extract has no effect on the former and only a | | | | then do not take grapefruit seed extract. Another |
| mildly inhibiting effect on the latter. It is also non toxic | | | | factor to be aware of is that since the extract is an |
| to humans, which is another measure of a good | | | | effective bactericide, then it could deplete the |
| antibiotic. You would have to drink about two pints | | | | digestive tract of friendly bacteria essential for |
| of the extract, around 4000 time the normal dose, | | | | digestion. You are advised, therefore, to take a |
| for the treatment to be potentially fatal. | | | | supplement of acidophilus, which is easily taken in the |
| Among the many uses of the extract are not only in | | | | form of yoghurt type drinks specifically formulated or |
| controlling gastrointestinal infections, but also general | | | | dietary supplement for the purpose. |