Researchers at UC Davis are recruiting subjects for obesity-related studies that will involve grape seed extract, The new double blind, placebo controlled studies will be led by C. Tissa Kappagoda MD, professor of cardiovascular medicine at UC Davis Health System.

The first will measure the inflammatory markers in people who are overweight or diagnosed with metabolic syndrome throughout a full day’s worth of high fat meals. The second will look directly at whether grape seed extract suppresses those inflammatory marker. MegaNatural BP, from Polyphenolics, division of Constellation Wines U.S., will be used in that study. Inflammatory markers are associated with insulin resistance, a condition that can develop into type 2 diabetes.

“If we can suppress the inflammatory response in a single meal with grape seed extract, then we might be able to give grape seed extract continually to suppress the impact on insulin resistance from frequent high fat meals,” explains Dr. Kappagoda. “This could lead to an opportunity for a larger clinical trial to see if we can at least delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. It might allow us to buy time to institute other remedial measures with people diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.”

The new study comes on the heels of a study published in July 2009 that indicated that the use of MegaNatural BP grape seed extract, in conjunction with lifestyle modification, may effectively lower blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome.

For further information: www.polyphenolics.com