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Pycnogenol/French pine extract
I have read lots of different health claims for something called pycnogenol or French pine extract and wondered if you think this is a useful supplement. What does it do?
Pycnogenol, which is the trademark name for an extract taken from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France, is an important antioxidant plant, which is often incorporated into anti-ageing creams.
What interests me more, is that is also now attracting growing attention as a potentially useful natural remedy for managing symptoms associated with Type II diabetes.
According to a new study, published in the American Diabetes Association’s journal, Diabetes Care, researchers found that patients with mild Type II diabetes were better able to control blood sugar levels when they took a daily supplement of 200mg of pycnogenol.
Diabetics have a higher risk of both heart disease and obesity; both problems caused by high blood sugar levels, which can damage blood vessels and which also give rise to higher levels of bad cholesterol.
The participants in this study also followed a specific diet and exercise regimen prescribed by the researchers so nobody is claiming that pycnogenol - which does not affect insulin levels - is a cure, but it does mean it is a natural agent that is worth more scientific investigation in this context of tackling the associated problems linked with diabetes.
There is also preliminary evidence that pycnogenol may work to stimulate the immune system and, as an antioxidant, can help protect DNA from damage by free radicals. So yes, this is a very useful agent – whether you are diabetic, concerned about heart disease or anti-ageing – and one which I think we will be hearing a lot more about over the next few years.
*Pycnogenol is now widely on sale in good health stores but you can also mail order direct from Viridian on 01327 878050 (www.viridian-nutrition.com).