Pycnogenol Helps Heart Health in Diabetics

by | Jul 18, 2008 | 2008, Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, Pycnogenol

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Research studies show that Pycnogenol may help maintain heart health in diabetics.

Type 2 diabetes (TD2) affects over 7% of the US population (20 million Americans), is expected to increase by up to 70% in the next 25 years (1) and costs our healthcare system $126 billion each year (2).  It is characterized by dangerous high levels of sugar that damage blood vessels, which substantially increases the risk of developing both atherosclerosis (3) and high blood pressure, which further deteriorates blood vessel health (4).

Now a new study (5) has found that Pycnogenol may help maintain heart health in diabetics.

In the study, 45 patients diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes and mild to moderate high blood pressure (a “top number” reading between 130 and 150 mm Hg) and taking high blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitors) received either 125 mg per day (25 mg taken 5 times per day) of Pycnogenol or placebo for 12 weeks.  The researchers measured the patients’ blood pressure every two weeks.  They also had their blood drawn every four weeks to measure for LDL cholesterol, a marker of T2D called HbA1c and two other proteins: endothelin-1 and albumin.  The patients’ high blood pressure medications were adjusted throughout the trial to maintain a healthy blood pressure.

By the end of 12 weeks, patients in the Pycnogenol group had their blood pressure medication dosages reduced by 50%, had a reduction in endothelin-1 that was seven times greater than the control group, a drop in HbA1c 8 times greater than the placebo group (0.8% vs. 0.1%), had a drop in fasting blood sugar 4 times greater than the placebo group (23.7 mg/dL vs. 5.7 mg/dL), and had a “significant decrease” in LDL cholesterol (12.7 mg/dL), with no change in the placebo group.

For the researchers, “After 12 weeks, Pycnogenol resulted in improved diabetes control, lowered cardiovascular disease risk factors, and reduced [high blood pressure] medicine use versus controls.”

Source: Zibadi, Sherma, Peter J. Rohdewald, Danna Park, and Ronald Ross Watson. “Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes by Pycnogenol supplementation.” Nutrition Research 28, no. 5 (2008): 315-320.

Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted July 17, 2008.

References:

  1. Prevalence of diabetes. National Diabetes Statistics: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2005.
  2. Hogan P.  Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2002.  Diabetes Care 2003; 26: 917-932
  3. Creager MA, Luscher TF, Cosentino F, Beckman JA. Diabetes and vascular disease: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, and medical therapy: part I. Circulation 2003;108:1527-32.
  4. Bakris G, Sowers J, Epstein M, Williams M. Hypertension in patients with diabetes. Why is aggressive treatment essential? Postgrad Med 2000;107:53-64.
  5. Zibadi S.  Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes by Pycnogenol supplementation.  Nutrition Research 2008; 28(5):315-320