ViNitrox Apple and Grape Polyphenols

Also known as: ViNitrox by Nexira

Safety Rating: 

For explanations of what these safety ratings mean, click here.

Potential Side effects: Unknown

Overview

What is it? Vinitrox is a branded ingredient made of polyphenols from grape and apple sources. Polyphenols are a diverse group of chemicals made up of many (poly) double-bonded rings (phenols). It is naturally found in many foods in small amounts.

Why is it used? This is used as an ingredient in other supplements, often to "enhance athletic performance" and "reduce fatigue". It claims to do this by "increasing nitric oxide" levels in the body, since nitric oxide (NO) helps open up blood vessels and increase blood flow. 

What’s the harm? 

• If ViNitrox really does increase nitric oxide levels in the body, it could have side effects such as vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels). If vasodilation is severe, it can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Many conditions and medications can lower blood pressure, so ViNitrox could worsen that side effect when combined with those conditions/medications.
• Because ViNitrox only lists "apple and grape polyphenols" for the ingredients, we do not know which specific polyphenols are in this product. Polyphenols vary greatly in structure and how they effect the body depending on the source. Some polyphenols can interact with medications directly or impact how the medications are processed in the body.
• There are currently no known risks of polyphenols when sourced from a regular diet.
   

Interactions with health conditions: 

Blood pressure: By increasing nitric oxide levels in the body, ViNitrox may drop blood pressure for short periods of time. If blood pressure drops severely, that can cause or worsen dizziness. This is especially concerning for elderly patients, because dizziness could increase their risk of falling, possibly causing serious injuries like broken hips.

Dizziness/vertigo: See Blood Pressure above

Prostate problems: Some medications that treat prostate issues can lower blood pressure, and combining with other blood pressure lowering agents can be especially dangerous (see Blood Pressure above)

Drug Interactions: 

Blood pressure medications: By increasing nitric oxide levels in the body, ViNitrox may drop blood pressure for short periods of time. When combined with blood pressure lowering medications, this could make blood pressure too low, which can cause dizziness. If blood pressure is measured while it is temporarily lowered by this product, it could lead to blood the recommended dose of blood pressure medication being too low to effectively manage blood pressure day to day.

Erectile Dysfunction medications: Medications like Viagra and Cialis are CONTRAINDICATED (should be avoided) in patients taking medications that increase nitric oxide. This is because combining the two chemicals can cause a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure. 

Prostate medications: Some medications that make urination easier for people with enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) also lower blood pressure. Combining with ViNitrox could increase the risk of a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Interactions with herbs/supplements:

Blood pressure lowering: By increasing nitric oxide levels in the body, ViNitrox may drop blood pressure for short periods of time, and combining with herbs that lower blood pressure could worsen this effect. If blood pressure drops severely, that can cause or worsen dizziness. This is especially concerning for elderly patients, because dizziness could increase their risk of falling, leading to serious injuries like broken hips.

Interactions with foods: Unknown 

Interactions with lab tests: None Known

References

1. *Natural Medicines. (2019, March 11). Vinitrox [Monograph]. Natural Standard Professional Monograph. Retrieved from: https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/commercial-products/commercial-product.aspx?cpid=130422
   
2. Mennen, L. I., Walker, R., Bennetau-Pelissero, C., & Scalbert, A. (2005). Risks and safety of polyphenol consumption. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 81(1), 326S-329S. Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/81/1/326S/4607649
3. Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State University. (2019). "Flavonoids".  Retrieved from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/flavonoids#sources

*=Requires PAID or institutional subscription to access

Tags: Ingredients