Leukemia cells
Leukemia is the common name for a group of cancers that originate in blood cells, bone marrow or lymphatic tissue. Unlike classic cancers, leukemia does not form solid tumors and cannot be removed by surgery, making the disease difficult to treat. Scientific research has pointed to grape seed extract as a possible leukemia cure. However, be aware that using the extract for this purpose is not yet medically validated.
Identification
Grape seed extract is produced from the seeds of common wine grapes. Available in capsules, tablets and liquid extracts, it contains a host of potentially beneficial compounds, including flavonoids, vitamin E, linoleic acid and procyanidins. Research indicates that grape seed extract is helpful in treating a number of medical conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pancreatitis and disorders related to free radical damage.
Cancer Research
Grape seed extract is also under study for its effectiveness in fighting different cancers. Part of its potential stems from the extract's high antioxidant content, and studies indicate antioxidants may be helpful in cancer prevention. Laboratory work with grape seed extract has involved cancers of the lungs, skin, colon, prostate, stomach and breast. Results are tentatively positive, showing a reduction of skin tumors in mice and breast tumors in rats. As of 2009, no testing of grape seed extract has involved human cancer patients.
Leukemia
In January 2009, researchers from the University of Kentucky reported the first positive results on the use of grape seed extract against leukemia. The scientists exposed commercially available extract to leukemia cells and discovered that presence of the extract forced a sort of cell suicide, with 76 percent of cells "killing" themselves within 24 hours. They also confirmed that the effect is limited to the cancer cells, with no damage reported to healthy cells. While this is an important breakthrough, the researchers themselves stress that their results are preliminary and are insufficient to make any medical claims.
Considerations
So, should you experiment with grape seed extract if you have received a leukemia diagnosis? At best, there is no clear evidence that using the extract will help your condition. Mainstream medicine still relies exclusively on treatments like chemotherapy and other drug-based therapies, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplants, immunotherapy, kinease inhibitors and stem cell transplants. When considering an illness as potentially lethal as leukemia, you are particularly ill-advised to discontinue or alter treatment without explicit consent from your physician. The same advice extends to withholding information regarding alternate therapies.
If your doctor approves supplementing existing treatment with grape seed extract, there are some things you should know. While there are no known contradictory effects between the extract and any medications, research has not covered all areas. For instance, grape seed extract use in children has not been specifically studied. Additionally, a compound in grape seed extract may heighten chances for bleeding. If your treatment involves any blood-thinning compounds, make certain you check with your doctor before proceeding with grape seed extract.
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