Is Grapefruit Seed Extract Any Good?

I've read about the anti-fungal properties of grapefruit seed extract, but I have also read about the potential presence of benzethonium chloride and other chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Is grapefruit seed extract safe?

Answer

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) comes from the seed, pulp and white membranes of grapefruit. It has a reputation as an antifungal and antibacterial agent, but when I discussed your question with Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., director of the Fellowship at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, and an authority on botanical medicine, she said that it is unclear how potent GSE is as an antibacterial or antifungal. She said that many grapefruit seed extracts on the market are adulterated and noted that a German study of six commercial grapefruit seed extracts showed that five of these products contained benzethonium chloride, a synthetic antimicrobial often used in cosmetics and other topical preparations, as well as the preservatives triclosan and methylparaben.

Dr. Low Dog adds that this finding is consistent with those of other researchers who have found benzethonium chloride or triclosan in samples of liquid and powdered grapefruit seed extracts. When grapefruit seed extract is used topically (say, for treatment of athlete's foot as I have recommended), the presence of these synthetic substances is not a big issue. But she cautions that grapefruit seed extract often is recommended for treatment of infant thrush (also a fungal infection) and says she would not recommended putting a potentially adulterated product in an infant's mouth or that anyone use it internally.

It is probably safe to put a few drops of grapefruit seed extract in water in a spray bottle for an odorless way to kill household mold and mildew. As a treatment for athlete's foot, you can try applying full strength grapefruit seed extract to the affected area two to three times a day. You can also use it as an alternative to tea tree oil to treat nail fungus. Paint it on affected nails twice a day for at least two months. But given the evidence of apparent widespread adulteration of grapefruit seed extract, I agree that it shouldn't be taken internally.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

GSE Liquid Concentrate Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I want to use the GSE® Liquid Concentrate? - As a natural, non-toxic compound our GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) Liquid Concentrate has many uses. Internally, the concentrate has been used to support a wide variety of ailments.*

How can the product be non-toxic if it is so potent? - Extensive testing done at independent laboratories and universities around the world has proven the concentrate to be safe for human consumption. It is effective against pathogens because it belongs to a family of compounds known as quaternary compounds. This family is best known for benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride as well as the infamous Quaternium group, a very toxic antimicrobial preservative used in the cosmetics industry. While Grapefruit Seed Extract is molecularly similar to these compounds, there are some profound differences in structure and function. Studies done to date indicate that there is little danger in either short-term or long-term internal use.

What is the pH of this product? - The Original GSE Liquid Concentrate has a pH of about 3.8 and the Maximum GSE Liquid Concentrate has a pH of about 2.2, which are both very acidic. This is why we recommend you dilute Grapefruit Seed Extract before use. We do not know if the product becomes alkaline when ingested the way orange juice and other citrus foods do.

Does grapefruit affect the drugs you take?

A: Yes, but only if it's eaten raw or juiced.

If you look at the average breakfast table you'll find many potential health hazards: coffee, breakfast cereals loaded with sugar, greasy bacon and fried eggs. So most of us would think grapefruit is a welcome nutritious addition.

But if you're taking certain medications then you should steer clear of grapefruit. That's because grapefruit contains a substance that interacts with a long list of drugs regularly found in medicine cabinets across the country.

Geraldine Moses, a senior pharmacist from the Adverse Medicine Events Information Line, says there is evidence that an average 200 ml glass of normal strength grapefruit juice (straight from the fruit) can cause "a clinically significant interaction with a list of drugs as long as your arm".

Eating fresh grapefruit can also be a problem, as the compound responsible for the interaction is found in the fruit's pulp. But Moses says eating grapefruit marmalade on toast is unlikely to cause any problems.

Grapefruit Diet Review

What is the grapefruit diet? And what can you eat and not eat if you go on this diet?

Answer:

The Grapefruit Diet is one of the oldest and most widely discussed of the popular "fad" diets. I use the word "fad" to describe diets that are not based on solid scientific information. There are many versions of this diet, which began in the 1930s as the Hollywood Diet. This diet claims that grapefruit contains a special fat-burning enzyme, activated when you eat it at each meal, along with small amounts of other food. As an example:

Grapefruit juice: Beware of dangerous medication interactions

I like to drink grapefruit juice but hear that it can interfere with some of my prescription medications. Is that true?

Yes, grapefruit juice, other grapefruit products and certain other citrus fruits can interfere with several kinds of prescription medications. Don't take these interactions lightly, as some can cause potentially dangerous health problems. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before consuming any grapefruit products or citrus fruits if you take prescription medications. You may need to eliminate grapefruit products from your diet. Simply taking your medication and grapefruit product at different times doesn't stop the interaction.

Certain chemicals that grapefruit products and citrus fruits contain can interfere with the enzymes that break down (metabolize) various medications in your digestive system. As a result, more medication stays in your body. This can increase the potency of your medication to potentially dangerous levels, causing serious side effects.

Pomelos and Seville oranges, a type of bitter orange often used to make marmalades and compotes, may have a similar effect. Researchers are identifying other foods that also may interact with medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.