Diabetes increased by one-third over the previous two decades, according to research published by "Nutra Ingredients" in March 2004. At the time of publication, there were more than 194 million people with the disease worldwide, and the number is expected to exceed 333 million by 2025, if nothing is done to curb the pandemic. Escalating concern over the problem has encouraged investigation into numerous natural treatments and pycnogenol has shown promise as a treatment option.
Lower Blood Sugar
High levels of blood sugar are the benchmark indicator for diabetes. Investigators reporting in the March 2004 edition of "Diabetes Care" examined the ability of pycnogenol to lower blood sugar in patients with mild cases of Type 2 diabetes. Prompting the study, in part, were reports from patients supplementing pycnogenol that they had reduced need for insulin. The researchers found that supplementing between 50 and 200 milligrams of pycnogenol significantly reduced blood sugar levels but did not affect the levels of circulating insulin. There was also indication that the structural integrity of blood vessels improved from supplementation.
Follow-Up Study
A follow-up study was published in the October 2004 issue of "Life Sciences." In this study, researchers followed diabetes patients who supplemented their prescribed diabetes medication with 100 milligrams of pycnogenol. A control group supplemented a placebo in addition to their prescribed medication. At the end of 12 weeks, the researchers found the pycnogenol group not only had significantly lower levels of blood sugar but also improved endothelial function --- the efficiency of blood vessels and capillaries in allowing or prohibiting the passage of materials through vessel membranes.
Diabetic Heart Health Improved
Researchers reporting in the May 2008 issue of "Nutrition Research" noted that diabetics are two to four times more likely to suffer from heart disease than non-diabetics, so they investigated the ability of pycnogenol to reduce blood pressure in diabetes patients. The researchers recruited 48 diabetics on blood pressure-lowering medication and randomly assigned them to receive either 125 milligrams of pycnogenol or a placebo for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, 58 percent of the pycnogenol group achieved greater blood pressure control than the placebo group and were able to reduce their prescribed blood pressure medication.
Diabetic Eye Health Improved
Retinopathy or damage to the retina is a common consequence of diabetes, prompting researchers to investigate a possible role of pycnogenol in alleviating eye damage in diabetics. Researchers reporting in the December 2009 issue of "Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics" enrolled 46 diabetics in a randomized controlled study who showed early signs of retinopathy. Twenty-four subjects received 150 milligrams of pycnogenol a day and 22 received a placebo. At the end of two months, 75 percent of the pycnogenol group showed significant improvement in visual acuity, while no improvements were recorded in the placebo group.
References
- "Nutra Ingredients"; Pycnogenol Helps Manage Diabetes; Staff Reporter; March 2004
- "Diabetes Care"; French Maritime Pine Bark Extract Pycnogenol Dose-Dependently Lowers Glucose in Type 2 Diabetic Patients; Ximing Liu, M.D.; March 2004
- "Life Sciences"; Antidiabetic Effect of Pycnogenol French Maritime Pine Bark Extract in Patients with Diabetes Type II; X. Liu, et al.; October 2004
- "Nutrition Research"; Reduction of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes by Pycnogenol Supplementation; Sherma Zibadi, et al.; May 2008
- "Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Pycnogenol Improves Microcirculation, Retinal Edema, and Visual Acuity in Early Diabetic Retinopathy; Robert Stiegerwalt, et al.; December 2009
