Pycnogenol delays glucose absorption 190 times more potently than prescription medica

[Dodger]

New study discovers how Pycnogenol lowers blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes


A new study to be published in an upcoming edition of the journal of Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice reveals that French maritime pine tree extract known as Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) delays the uptake of glucose from a meal 190 times more than prescription medications, preventing the typical high-glucose peak in the blood stream after a meal. The study revealed the pine bark is more potent for suppressing carbohydrate absorption in diabetes than synthetic prescription alpha-glucosidase inhibitors such as Precose®.

"Diabetes mellitus type II is a serious disease with rising prevalence," said Dr. Petra Högger, a lead researcher of this study. "This study is crucial for those suffering with the disease because it affirms that Pycnogenol® is more effective than prescription medication Precose® and supports the abundance of other research done on Pycnogenol® and diabetes."

The study was conducted at the University of Wurzburg Germany. Dr. Högger investigated the interaction of Pycnogenol® with the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which breaks down carbohydrates in a meal. Results revealed Pycnogenol® is 190 times more potent for inhibition of alpha-glucosidase than the synthetic inhibitor acarbose, a common prescription medication for treatment of type II diabetes (sold in Europe under the name Glucobay® and the United States under the name Precose™).

Pycnogenol® was shown to inhibit the intestinal enzymes (alpha-glucosidase) involved in the digestion of complex carbohydrates such as starch and normal table sugar. The alpha-glucosidase breaks down carbohydrates into glucose molecules which are then absorbed into the blood stream.

"The high concentration of procyanidins (flavonoids) found in Pycnogenol® is responsible for demonstrating these excellent results," said Högger. According to Högger, the large procyanidin molecules were found to be particularly active for inhibiting the activity of alpha-glucosidase, thus demonstrating such notable results. "The carbohydrates enter the blood stream steadily over prolonged periods of time, which make meals last longer and prolong satiety."

In two separate studies conducted in 2004, Pycnogenol® was found to significantly lower blood sugar levels in type II diabetes patients. A study published in the March 2004 edition of Diabetes Care revealed that patients who supplemented with Pycnogenol® experienced lower blood sugar after meals and lower fasting blood sugar. Another study published in the October edition of Life Sciences revealed a significantly further lowered blood glucose level in patients who supplemented with Pycnogenol® while continuing their anti-diabetic medication with acarbose and metformin.

This study opens new avenues for product development of Pycnogenol® in the field of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity. "With seven percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes, more than one in five people afflicted with metabolic syndrome, and 60 million U.S. adults considered obese, finding natural and safe options for managing these conditions and improving quality of life is a priority," said Högger.

About Pycnogenol®

Pycnogenol® is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 35 years and has more than 220 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol® is available in more than 600 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com (http://www.pycnogenol.com).

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-02/mg-pdg020707.php

[Lisa N]

This is interesting stuff and I'm tempted to give it a shot just to see if it has any impact although it's pretty pricey; between 30 and 50 bucks US a bottle for a bottle of 120 [50 mg] gelcaps at GNC.
I did a brief Google search and I have to admit to being a bit skeptical as this stuff is credited with relieving symptoms for everything from vericose veins and high blood pressure to arthritis and ADHD but a one month trial couldn't hurt.
Wonder if it can do anything for my tinnitus?

[dina1957]

Wonder if it can do anything for my tinnitus?
Lisa,
if tinnitus is something that started recently it may look at hormonal connection to this condition (if you are on BCP or HRT). I have ocational "clicking" noise in my left year, like someone taps on a microphone, but not ringing, and only before TOM. I did not have this "tapping" before starting menopause, and I also heard many women similar age complain about ringing in ears, which is one of 34 perimenopausal symptoms.
http://www.menopauseatoz.com/menopause-tinnitus.shtml

[Lisa N]

It's not recent, Dina. I've had it since my mid 20's.

[dina1957]

It's not recent, Dina. I've had it since my mid 20's.
I recall once on Dr.B forum person with T1 posted that once she had to use less insulin het tinnitus improved. I did not pay attention back then but now I googled it, and it is a strong connection between high insulin level and tinnutis after all. Live and learn. I also read that tinnitus is a sign of CAD and high BP, not something that applicable to your case.
But if hyperinsulemia is indeed cause of tinnitus, your very low carb diet should be the best remedy, according to the article at least.
http://www.tinnitusformula.com/infocenter/articles/treatments/sugar_met.aspx

[Lisa N]

Tinnitus can be a symptom of many things, including an aspirin overdose. It can also be caused by exposure to loud noises without ear protection (loud rock concerts, anyone?).
Sometimes, they can't figure out what caused it.
There are things that make it worse for me (too much coffee, certain medications) but nothing I've found yet that makes it go away completely.
I really don't put a lot of stock in articles on websites selling a 'cure' to be honest.
Really, I don't notice it most of the time unless it's very quiet or I think about it and I was really joking about wondering if pycnogenol could help since it seems to be credited with alleviating a whole host of other conditions. ;)

[dina1957]

Tinnitus can be a symptom of many things, including an aspirin overdose. It can also be caused by exposure to loud noises without ear protection (loud rock concerts, anyone?).
Sometimes, they can't figure out what caused it.
There are things that make it worse for me (too much coffee, certain medications) but nothing I've found yet that makes it go away completely.
I really don't put a lot of stock in articles on websites selling a 'cure' to be honest.
Really, I don't notice it most of the time unless it's very quiet or I think about it and I was really joking about wondering if pycnogenol could help since it seems to be credited with alleviating a whole host of other conditions. ;)
I don't believe in any "cure it all" remedies, most of them just cure you from extra $$$, nothing else. Many work as placebo effect, but there is no single remedy that cures everything, I agree.
As for tinnitus, DH had a sudden onset couple years ago, three days he complained that he can hear engine working in his inner ear, could not sleep, but when he was on the edge, it went away and he never had this problem again. I can imagine how irritating it can be, but I guess after a whle one can get used to pretty much anything. I gave up coffee completely, recently it gives me such bad jitters and shaking, that I feel like my whole body is vibrating. Not sure what is worse, ear noise or internal shakes, LOL. It is really amazing what wicked hormones can do to our body.Too bad no one warned me before.:lol:

[Sasha99]

Re cost of pycnogenol- I recently ordered from www.iHerb.com (great source of herbal/vitamin/bath stuff):

Country Life, BioChem, Pycnogenol, 100 mg, 30 Veggie Caps
Unit Price: $14.99
Quantity: 1
Sub Total: $14.69

This would be a month's supply.

My bf is taking it, but I think I'll get myself some after reading that article.

[eddiemcm]

Pycogenol,IMHO,is worthless.
Tried it for 3 months.
Worked okay for 2 weeks after the first month.
Completely stopped working after that.
The Internet is rampant with these claims but
they all reference the same flawed study.
Wording is exactly the same on each claim.
All pasted from original "study".
I believe I got my pycnogenol from Vitacost
but it might have been Swanson.
Sure as hell wasn't $50-more like $30.
You might want to consider where the information on the pycogenol website is coming
from.Biased,maybe?
For those who advertise it's greatness,let them
try it for 3 months and report results.
We would consider that to be a real study.
Eddie

[PlayDoh]

i had a friend that used to feed her children orgnic foods only and she gave them pycnogenol daily, extra if they ate off plan, to undo any supposed damage. honestly, i won't be doing anything organic, but those were two of the healthiest looking kids i've ever seen in my life.

when i was looking into purchasing pycnogenol, i was going to get it from puritan's pride. they were doing that deal of buy one get one free, buy two get three free, and so on. best deal i ever found and it seems like puritan's pride does those kinds of deals all the time.

i have tinnuitis and it is completely annoying. sometimes i am yelling at my family for being too loud when really it is because i already have all that noise going on, plus their racket. it gets so very loud sometimes it drives me nuts. mine started with pregnancy and the obgyn said it would go away after, but it never did. it's gotten worse over the years and now i can hear that it is in sync with my pulse. i wish it would go away, i hate it. if you ever find a way to make it disappear lisa N, please let me know. i'd love to make it go away. i have enough irritability issues without adding in almost constant very loud ear noise.

[Lisa N]

PlayDoh, there are special types of hearing aids that provide a type of white noise that masks the tinnitus noise for those that find it really bothersome. Tinnitus is known to cause anxiety and depression in those that find it irritating. Mine isn't bad enough yet to be terribly bothersome; it's just a very high-pitched buzz that's constant.
Something else you should know is that tinnitus often goes hand-in-hand with hearing loss, so if yours is loud enough to be bothersome, it may benefit you to see an audiologist or an ENT (ears, nose and throat) specialist for an evaluation. I plan to see one myself sometime in the next several months because I suspect that I do have a mild hearing loss. :idea:

[Hybrid]

I take 100mg of Grape Seed Extract twice per day. It's a powerful antioxidant (this statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration). It hasn't done anything at all for my tinnitus.

[eddiemcm]

I had tinnitus for probably 20 years.I tried
to get rid of it for years.Finally,I got rid
of it with aloe vera pills.
I actually miss the buzzing.It gave me energy
and kept me alert.I am still trying to figure
out how to get it back.
Sometimes I think I am cursed.
Bye for now
Eddie

[RobLL]

My mother, who has serious hearing loss and tinnitus, has found that playing a radio for a music background sound gives her a lot of relief.

[Lisa N]

Pycogenol,IMHO,is worthless.
Tried it for 3 months.
Worked okay for 2 weeks after the first month.
Completely stopped working after that.
The Internet is rampant with these claims but
they all reference the same flawed study.
Wording is exactly the same on each claim.
All pasted from original "study".
I believe I got my pycnogenol from Vitacost
but it might have been Swanson.
Sure as hell wasn't $50-more like $30.
You might want to consider where the information on the pycogenol website is coming
from.Biased,maybe?
For those who advertise it's greatness,let them
try it for 3 months and report results.
We would consider that to be a real study.
Eddie

Eddie, I'm curious how much you were taking and at what time of day?

[eddiemcm]

"Eddie, I'm curious how much you were taking and at what time of day?"
Lisa, I took 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg
at bedtime.Other than the temporary 10-15
percent decrease in FBG,I noticed a tremendous
upswing in energy similar to the old Stacker
diet pill.
Eddie

[Lisa N]

I'm just thinking out loud here and I can't find any information on the timing of doses in the studies, but if this supplement is supposed to work along the same lines as Precose, by inhibiting the uptake of glucose in the intestines during digestion, I would hazard to guess that it's most effective if you take it the same way as Precose and take 1/3 of your dose (say, 50 mg.) with each of your 3 daily meals instead of taking it as you would Glucophage, morning and/or evening.
Even if it doesn't work quite as well as advertised for keeping blood sugars in check, it does seem to be a fairly powerful antioxidant and might be useful as a supplement based on that alone.
As I said, just thinking out loud....

[eddiemcm]

"Even if it doesn't work quite as well as advertised for keeping blood sugars in check, it does seem to be a fairly powerful antioxidant and might be useful as a supplement based on that alone."
difficult to determint the best antioxidant.
I take C,E,alpha lipoic acid and resvaratrol.
I also take beta glucan for immune system
enhancement.
Bye for now
Eddie

[dina1957]

Even if it doesn't work quite as well as advertised for keeping blood sugars in check, it does seem to be a fairly powerful antioxidant and might be useful as a supplement based on that alone.

Speaking of antioxidants, I have read last night on the health news that antioxidants don't help you live longer. I can't post the article becauswe of copy right, but I think it is ok to post the link:
http://www.comcast.net/news/health/index.jsp?cat=HEALTHWELLNESS&fn=/2007/02/27/598126.html

I have spent enough $$$ on the supplements and vitamins with no significant improvement or any diference at al in my overall health. Now I just spend this extra $$$ to buy good quality wine, cheese, meat, produce, chocolate and other yummy things. I believe it is much better (and tastier) way to get vitamins and antioxidants, than pop a bunch of pills.;)
JMO

[RobLL]

Speaking of antioxidants, I have read last night on the health nes that antioxidants don't help you live longer. I can't post the article becauswe of copy right, but I think it is ok to post the link:
http://www.comcast.net/news/health/index.jsp?cat=HEALTHWELLNESS&fn=/2007/02/27/598126.html

I have spent enough $$$ on the supplements and vitamins with no significant improvement or any diference at al in my overall health. Now I just spend this extra $$$ to buy good quality wine, cheese, meat, produce, chocolate and other yummy things. I believe it is much better (and tastier) was to get vitamins and antioxidants, than pop a bunch of pills.;)
JMO

I'll have another glass of good Washington State Value Red Wine, and drink to that.

ps: that extra glass of wine is a real incentive for not taking medications.

[dina1957]

I'll have another glass of good Washington State Value Red Wine, and drink to that.

ps: that extra glass of wine is a real incentive for not taking medications.
Cheers!!!!:wave:

[eddiemcm]

"Speaking of antioxidants, I have read last night on the health news that antioxidants don't help you live longer."
Probably more data and studies show value to
antioxidants.Do your research and then make
your best guess.Who realy knows??
If someone has been taking vitamins for a long
time,I don't see how they can say that the
vitamins have done them no good.On the other
hand,I don't see how a person can say that the
vitamins have benefitted them.Maybe you have
the right idea,Dina-pate,red wine and dark chocolate.
Bye from Houston,Tx
Eddie