PYCNOGENOL FOR DIABETES
The incidence of type II diabetes is increasing dramatically in most countries of the world. Unlike type I diabetes, type II is predominantly considered as nutritional disorder. Chronic over-eating grossly contrasted by lack of physical activity makes cells resistant to insulin and refuse the uptake of glucose from the blood stream. The disease develops from early stages of impaired glucose tolerance (Prediabetes; Syndrome-X) and typically coincides with increasing body weight and obesity. The “Diabetes Prevention Program” has demonstrated that individuals with pre-diabetes can largely be saved from developing type II diabetes by lifestyle changes comprising nutritional intervention, weight loss and exercise. As this nutritional disorder gradually develops with time, type II diabetes typically occurs at higher age and is, therefore, referred to as “adult-onset diabetes”, in contrast to type I diabetes which occurs at younger age. However, as the mismatch of high-calorie diet and sedentary lifestyle further deteriorates, people at much younger age and even children are diagnosed with type II diabetes. A chronically high blood glucose level needs attention comprising routine blood sugar monitoring, medication and diet. Left untreated the elevated blood glucose takes its toll on the health of blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, and eyes. A diabetic person is three times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than a non-diabetic. Pycnogenol® offers help for people with pre-diabetes and type II diabetes, as it was shown to dosedependently lower blood sugar levels in 30 type II diabetes patients not requiring medication. These patients followed a diet and exercise program during the trial [Liu et al., 2004].
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Blood glucose after meals
Fasting blood glucose
3 weeks 50 mg/ml Pycnogenol 3 weeks 100 mg/ml Pycnogenol 3 weeks 200 mg/ml Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol® was given in a daily dosage of 50 mg per day for the first 3 weeks. The following 3 weeks dosage was increased to 100 mg and then 200 mg for another 3 weeks. A daily dosage of 50 mg Pycnogenol® lowered both fasting and post-prandial blood glucose significantly, as compared to baseline. Higher dosages of 100 and 200 mg Pycnogenol® were more effective. Dosages above 200 mg Pycnogenol® had no further benefit [Liu et al., 2004].
This study, published in Diabetes Care, found that Pycnogenol® did not affect insulin levels. Pycnogenol® appears to facilitate blood sugar uptake by previously insulin-unresponsive body cells. Thus, Pycnogenol® may offer a nutritional approach for people to prevent development of diabetes. Pycnogenol® was also tested in type II diabetes patients who were continuing their conventional antidiabetic medication with biguanide and/or sulfonylurea to control their blood sugar. In total 77 patients were assigned to one of two groups receiving either Pycnogenol® (100 mg a day) or placebo in addition to their conventional medication.
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Treatment [weeks] 0.0 -0.5 -1.0 -1.5 Placebo 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Pycnogenol® gradually lowered fasting blood glucose levels with treatment duration. The highest effect was found after 8 weeks supplementation with Pycnogenol®. The study showed a considerable placebo effect which is understood to result from patient’s better compliance to their conventional medication. Despite the placebo effect the glucose-lowering effect of Pycnogenol® was statistically significant as compared to placebo over the entire treatment period [Liu et al., Life Sciences, 2004].
Pycnogenol® was found to lower plasma HbA1 -2.0 (glycosylated hemoglobin), which reflects the average blood sugar level over the past 6 weeks. Furthermore, the blood of Pycnogenol®-supplemented patients showed lower amounts of a mediator (endothelin-1) causing constriction of blood vessels and elevated amounts of the vaso-dilator prostacyclin. This suggests a general improvement of blood circulation, which is typically impaired in diabetic people. In conclusion, Pycnogenol® has a potent blood glucose-lowering effect in people with type II diabetes, as it yields a significant effect even in patients who continue their conventional medication. In addition, Pycnogenol® helps diabetic patients to cover with other health concerns commonly referred to as the “Diabetic Syndrome”. People with diabetes live at an elevated risk of suffering from cardiovascular health problems. They often have hypertension, high cholesterol and their blood platelets easily form aggregates, posing a risk of thrombosis and heart disease. Please check the available information on PYCNOGENOL FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH. Pycnogenol® was demonstrated in more than 1200 diabetic patients to be helpful for treatment and prevention of diabetic retinopathy, a serious and very common threat to the eyesight of diabetic people [Schönlau et al., 2002]. For more information please refer to PYCNOGENOL FOR EYE HEALTH.
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Liu X, Zhou HJ, Rohdewald P. French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol® dose-dependently lowers glucose in type II diabetes patients. Diabetes Care 27: 839, 2004. Liu X, Wei J, Tan F, Zhou S, Würthwein G, Rohdewald P. Antidiabetic Effect of Pycnogenol® French Maritime Pine Bark Extract in patients with diabetes type II. Life Sciences, 75: 2505-2513, 2004. Schönlau F, Rohdewald P. Pycnogenol® for diabetic retinopathy. A review. Int Ophthal 24: 161-171, 2002. Watson RR. Pycnogenol® and cardiovascular health. Review. Evidence Based Integr Med 1: 27-32, 2003.
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