Stay away from grapefruit seed extract..it's harmful!

it is not harmful ..


http://holistic-personal-development.com/2007/04/22/grapefruit-seed-extract-debate/

The controversy stems from some reports that GSE contains Triclosan, Benzelthonium Chloride, or Methyl Paraben. Perhaps the reason for the conclusion of those reports is that Citricidal is very similar in molecular weight to both Benzelthonium Chloride and Triclosan, both of which are effective disinfectants, but are toxic to human and animal life.
Every batch of Citricidal® is certified for the absence of such residues, as well as the absence of Triclosan, a common germicide and preservative. Independent labs have confirmed these results. (see United States Testing Company Report No. 405993, dated 9/8/95). The results show no trace of triclosan, while displaying very strong antimicrobial activity. Every batch of Citricidal is tested and certified free from chemical and heavy metal contamination. And in an attempt to further improve the product, a source of grapefruit seed and pulp from Certified Organically Grown grapefruits has been secured.
To further show the safety of Citricidal, an Acute Oral Toxicity Study was performed — Northview Pacific Labs Report No. X5E015G, dated 7/6/95. Results showed that Citricidal is considered non-toxic by oral ingestion with an LD50 of over 5000 mg/kg of live body weight. This is the equivalent of a 200 lb. person drinking close to 1 lb. of pure Citricidal daily for two weeks, before risking a 50% risk of fatal poisoning. (There are close to 20,000 drops in one pound of Citricidal liquid. The recommended adult dose is 5-6 drops at a time.)

The NutriTeam website has this to say about its grapefruit seed extract:

According to the Association of Poison Control Centers, the AMA Physician Reporting System, and the Journal of Emergency Medicine, there have been no reports that Citricidal has ever harmed anyone. In fact, there are thousands of clinical and anecdotal reports that Citricidal has helped many, and enjoys a safety record going back more than 30 years.
Over the years, numerous and differing analytical tests have been performed to determine the active components of Citricidal. The test results have quite often varied, for the following reasons: a.) varying test procedures, b.) different chemicals used in the test procedures producing false positives, c.) different interpretations of test procedures resulting in false positives, and d.) the different background of the chemists involved, organic chemistry vs. inorganic chemistry being an issue. The similarity in molecular weight between Citricidal and both Benzelkonium Chloride and Benzelthonium Chloride has wrongly influenced some (including drug and chemical manufacturers) to assert that Citricidal has been “spiked” with these poisons. (They are both powerful industrial disinfectants, and are even found in some consumer goods in the U.S.) But once again, independent lab tests, and a 30-year track record of safe use as a human therapeutic speak loudly against such slander.

It seems absurd to me that a product that gets such praise from health care professionals, without any side effects, could turn out to be so toxic. I don’t believe it for a minute. I think the only danger this product poses is to the pocket books of the pharmaceutical industry when Grapefruit Seed Extract is used more and more in place of anti-biotics.

Consider this:
Dr Louis Parish, M.D., as investigator for the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, reported that (grapefruit seed extract) “…is as effective as any other amoebicide now available, perhaps more effective…” and, “It does not cause side effects.” Nearly 200 patients were treated for Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia by Dr Parish and his associates over a two month period. Dr. Parish went on to say, “…it (GSE) gives symptomatic relief more than any other treatment.”
Or this:

“As a specialist in environmental medicine and immunology I have a significant number of patients with chronic intestinal candidiasis, chronic bacterial dysbiosis and occult protozoan parasitosis. I have found that Citricidal has been a remarkable antifungal agent with excellent response in patients with chronic intestinal candidiasis. It also appears to be an excellent antiparasitic, and I have had some good results with Citricidal in certain intestinal protozoan Infections, notably Blastocystis hominis. It seems to have a very low potential for side effects and appears to be non-toxic. I will continue to use this product extensively.” Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, Mill Valley, CA, USA
Recent testimonials report grapefruit-seed extract, to be effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, and a large number of single and multicelled parasites. It was evident that grapefruit seed-extract disrupts the bacterial membrane and liberates the cytoplasmic contents within 15 minutes after contact even at more dilute concentrations (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine).

Ok well..I take that brand..so what is a good one?

I would have to call them on Monday to see what's on their list but it doesn't seem too natural

http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/1/27/the-truth-about-grapefruit-seed-extract.html

http://standards.nsf.org/apps/group_public/download.php/11789/OPC-2010-1%20Grapefruit%20seed%20extract.pdf

The above article discusses GSE contamination in relation to cosmetic use, NOT as a supplement. Could this be part of the confusion??

The alternatives to GSE for busting cysts are not the safest antibiotics either and also have carcinogenic properties (Flagyl and Tindamax). Lyme itself has been linked to lymphoma. It's a personal choice, but I have no concerns with using GSE, Flagyl or Tindamax. I think the risk of long-term permanent damage from not addressing Lyme adequately is much higher than the risks of cyst-busters.

I'm a Naturopath and only use/recommend Pharma Grade supplements, so I can say with 101% certainty, your claim may be true if you buy a brand from china or walmart, but not if you're getting it from a reputable source.

Thanks for the update!

ToddPaul said...
Ok I spoke with a doctor over at Emerson Ecologics which is a distributor of professional nutritional products and they don't have an approved list yet. They have sent out their products containing GSE for independent lab testing.

Hopefully I will eventually be able to find out the results of the testing.

Did you ever find out the results of those tests?

Our daughter had a horrible reaction to 1 drop GSE. I used 1 drop daily for 7 days on the recommendation of our LLMD that it could be used to help remove dental plaque.

Her tourette's-like ticcing escalated for weeks and she had trouble both talking, because of vocal tics, and reading, because of eye blinking and head jerking tics. I assumed it to be some kind of herx, either bacteria or yeast.

In talking with Buhner's associate, she felt that it had caused a blockage of the body's ability to clear toxins via the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system. I have always associated our daughter's tourette's reactions to be linked to the amount of toxins in her system. If she is allowed to detox, the tourette's resolves. So this made sense to me.

For those who have doubts about the potential toxicity of GSE...

I'm an herbalist and a nutritionist, I'm working on a pre-workout/sexual enhancement formula. One month ago, I decided to purchase some GSE, in order to test the benefits of proanthocyanidins in my formula, along with some potential synergies with some other herbs. I have bought my product from Nutricargo, since they are among the few U.S. companies who accept to ship to Canada.

I conducted my first series of tests with very small doses, as usual. In a short period of time, I became very sick with nausea, heavy abdominal pain and diarrhea. Of course, I immediately stopped using GSE in my formula and the problem gradually disappeared, but my intestine was damaged in the process. I will need several weeks to completely heal my wounds, since fortunately, I know what to do in such a situation.

As you may expect, I have sent a message to my (former) supplier in order to prevent this from happening to anyone else. No answer. The product is still advertised and available on their website.

The biggest part of the salaries given to the employees at Health Canada and the FDA come from pharmaceutical companies, to force the promotion of the poisons they produce, so they would probably all be very happy to learn about my misfortune, considering that GSE is a "natural" unapproved product.

Everybody's got to learn sometime...

Post Edited (Frank_B) : 3/3/2014 10:40:38 PM (GMT-7)

Personal testing one time doesn't mean that all of the GSE produced is no good.

Everyone, please, do your own research and talk with your practitioner. This will not be right for everyone to use- as these experiences attest to - but that doesn't mean that it can't be helpful for those who actually need it.

Point in case - I have taken some tinctures and herbs that would make a "normal" person quite ill, but my body needed them at that point in time. We all know that it's not good to take abx when they aren't needed, this is no different. Listen closely to what your body is telling you and if you experience any adverse effects, stop the product - any product!!! - immediately and get a hold of your practitioner.

Chapelle- I'm not sure your reactions are from the chemical itself that is produced from GSE processing. Sounds to me more like a herx which is a good thing but I understand not wanting to take a chance with something that may not be entirely safe.

The only other herbal products that may bust cysts that I know of are essential oil of oregano, thyme and clove. Delmar takes a product that looks excellent from Young Living called Inner Defense. It's basically thieves oil plus oregano and thyme so you're getting the best germ killers of all the oils. Geranium oil is another one with antibacterial properties and is especially good combined with abx because of its ability to disrupt the efflux pumps.