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January 1, 2009, 1:52 pm
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My Mother was taking grape seed extract for her circulation and for a very short time it seemed a miracle cure. After a couple of weeks though she started getting headaches and she had to stop just to stop the headaches. She tried again later with half the recommended dose. It did not work as well and the headaches eventually came back again. Much smaller doses did not seem to provide any benefit. Is there some way of getting the benefits without the headaches. Incidentally the grape seed extract had no effect on her blood pressure which has never been a problem. We have searched the internet on this subject and never found anything. We also have spoken with a naturopath who was not able to come up with a solution.

Unfortunately, one of the side effects of grape seed extract is headaches and there may be nothing your mother can do. I had the same problem with yogurt containing certain live probiotics. I experienced no side effects at first but after taking it for awhile my body became 'saturated' (for lack of a better word). I had to give my body a chance to detox from the overload before I could use probiotics again (in moderation) with no side effects.

In which case could your mother take it in cycles? Perhaps taking it for a week, then leaving it for a week, on and off like that to give her body enough of a break?

Good suggestion taking it in cycles only we already tried that. She took it a week on and a week off for awhile but the headaches came back almost as fast as if she were taking it non stop. She then tried two weeks on and the two weeks off. Finally it got to a point where the cycling was so extended it all seemed like a waste of effort for the minimal positive results she was getting.

I don't believe there is a way to avoid the side effect if you already are aware that it will affect you. Perhaps she should instead look for an alternative to the grape seed extract?

Does this happen to most people that do this? I never have before but it seems interesting to think about. I know most things can effect one person one way and another.....but I never realized how good this could be for you (minus the headaches of course).