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WARNING!
I was looking to see what the active ingredient in grapefruit seed extract is and I came across this.
"But a new review published in the American Botanical Council (ABC) journal HerbalGram claims that many, if not most, GFSE products on the market today contain synthetic preservatives, microbicides and disinfectants that are not necessarily listed on their labels.
The idea behind GFSE is that it contains natural antimicrobial, antiseptic and alkalizing properties that render it highly beneficial in a variety of clinical applications. Many GFSE users who take it internally say it has helped eliminate chronic infection, clear up colds and sinus infections, and even cure candida and other yeast and fungal overgrowths inside the body.
But the new review, compiled by Dr. John H. Cardellina, Ph.D., a natural product, organic, medicinal and analytical chemist, suggests that most commercially-available GFSE products contain synthetic chemical components that are the true active ingredients. Actual grapefruit seed extract, suggests the review, does not contain antimicrobial properties, and is not the ingredient responsible for the beneficial effects that users experience."
http://www.naturalnews.com/036125_grapefruit_seed_extract_chemicals_adulterated.html#ixzz3Epwb7k00
I have heard people say it contains toxins so one shouldn't take it too long. Now I understand just what that really means.
I did limit my intake to 1 week due to the warning of toxicity. Understand that we eat toxins every day from the foods we eat. There are toxins in Aloe Vera juice. This is why I can't take the juice. It doesn't stop people from raving about the wonderful benefits of the juice. I am more sensitive while others are not.
There are toxins within the herb Uvi Ursa that I took to knock out a idiopathic bladder infection in short time. I would take it in a heart beat again. So we need to put toxins in perspective. It comes down to making sure it doesn't build up in the system too long. A week is a reasonable amount of time to try it.
"It was discovered that the ethanol-extracted GFSE contained no antimicrobial chemicals, while many of the commercial GFSE products contained some or all of them."
This may be why it may work for some people and not others.
"In a 2007 study the main synthetic antimicrobial agent identified in commercial GSE samples was benzethonium chloride"
I would think you would have to look for a non ethanol extracted GSE.