While it may come as a surprise, the vast majority of raw materials in the marketplace today rely on “borrowed” science — studies performed on materials other than their own — to support their claims. MegaNatural®-BP is the rare exception.
As a science-driven organization, Polyphenolics has invested heavily in original research on MegaNatural®-BP at both the laboratory and clinical levels. Why is original research important? Because multiple factors — from the grape varietals chosen, to the time of harvest, to the extraction technique — can influence the constituent profile of the finished product. The only way to know if a particular extract has biological efficacy is to test the specific composition of the extract.
Polyphenolics is fortunate to be associated with the Department of Preventive Cardiology at U.C. Davis, where researchers have conducted numerous clinical and in vitro studies on MegaNatural®-BP.
Human Clinical Trial #1
Publication: Effect of Grape Seed Extract on Blood Pressure in Subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome
Sivaprakasapillai B, Edirisinghe I, Randolph J, Steinberg F, Kappagoda T. Metabolism Clinical and Experimental 58 (2009) 1743-1746
Study type: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Methodology: Twenty-five subjects were randomized into three groups: a.) placebo, b.) 150 mg MegaNatural®-BP per day and c.) 300 mg MegaNatural®-BP per day. Each group took their respective treatment for four weeks.
Results: Blood samples showed MegaNatural®-BP to be well-absorbed after a single dose, with a steep rise in polyphenols 90 minutes after ingestion. At the end of four weeks, both dosages of MegaNatural®-BP were found to help maintain blood pressure levels (both systolic and diastolic) within the normal range.*
Human Clinical Trial #2
Publication: Effect of Grape Seed Extract in Subjects with Pre-Hypertension
Robinson M, Lu B, Edirisinghe I, Kappagoda CT. Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition Sciences, 2012, 2, 155-159.
Study type: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Methodology: All 30 subjects began the trial by taking a placebo for two weeks. Then, they were randomized into two groups: a.) placebo and b.) 300 mg MegaNatural®-BP per day. Each group took their respective treatment for eight weeks.
Results: At the end of eight weeks, MegaNatural®-BP was found to help maintain blood pressure levels (both systolic and diastolic) within the normal range.*
Robinson M, Lu B, Kappagoda T. 2007. In Kimchi A (Ed.), Recent Advances in Cardiovascular Disease: The Proceedings of the International Academy of Cardiology Annual Scientific Sessions (239-242). Bologna, Italy: Medimond.
Study type: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Methodology: All 30 subjects began the trial by taking a placebo for two weeks. Then, they were randomized into two groups: a.) placebo and b.) 300 mg MegaNatural®-BP per day. Each group took their respective treatment for eight weeks.
Results: At the end of eight weeks, MegaNatural®-BP was found to help maintain blood pressure levels (both systolic and diastolic) within the normal range.*
Mechanism of Action
Publication: Mechanism of the endothelium-dependent relaxation evoked by a grape seed extract
Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman B, Tissa Kappagoda C. Clin Sci (Lond). 2008 Feb;114(4):331-7.
Research using animal models indicates that MegaNatural®-BP activates the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) to produce nitric oxide (NO), which causes an endothelium-dependent relaxation of the blood vessels, supporting healthy blood flow.*
Presentation: Evaluation of MegaNatural™ Whole Grape Extract, MegaNatural™ Grape Seed Extract, and MegaNatural™ Grape Skin Extract
Khan N, Wood E, Corder R. 2002 Mar. London, UK.
The aim of these investigations was to compare the effects of MegaNatural™ Whole Grape Extract, MegaNatural™ Grape Seed Extract and MegaNatural™ Grape Skin Extract on endothelin-1 synthesis by bovine aortic endothelial cells.
