Vitamins and Their Uses

  • Home
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Shop For Vitamins 1-800-877-8702
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Cookie Policy (UK)
Home » Features » Blood Sugar » Role of Pycnogenol in Diabetes

Role of Pycnogenol in Diabetes

March 24, 2012 By Darrell Miller

Pycnogenol

Diagram shows insulin release from the Pancrea...

Diagram shows insulin release from the Pancreas and how this lowers blood sugar leves. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Over the last couple of decades, the incidence of type II diabetes has increased dramatically worldwide. According to studies almost 18 million Americans live with type II diabetes and require a careful monitoring of the blood sugar levels, carbohydrate intake and regular physical exercise. Having type II diabetes means that your body is unable to make enough insulin or your body cells are unable to utilize them properly (insulin resistance). Normal insulin levels in the body help inmobilizingsugar (glucose) from blood in to the cells, where it is metabolized for energy.

However, with decreased insulin levels in the body or due to insulin resistance, sugar builds up in the blood. High amount of blood sugar can lead to complications (such as damage to nerves, blood vessels and organs). This can have damaging effects on heart, blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, nerves, foot and immunity. The long term conventional treatment for diabetes is associated with other unwanted side effects. In many cases, is spite of medications, the disease becomes difficult to manage. Hence, many patients resort to complementary therapies to further reduce the risk of long term complications from this condition. According to studies, Pycnogenol has shown effective results in lowering blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of complications.

About Pycnogenol:

Pycnogenol is an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree. It is a natural health supplement that is extracted from the bark of Pinus maritima, European coastal pine. It is a flavonoid mixture or flavon-3 ol derivatives containing powerful blend of procyandins and phenolic acids present in Pinus maritima.

Role of Pycnogenol in Diabetes:

According to the study published in the October 2004 issue of “Life Sciences”, diabetic patients who took pycnogenol supplement along with their prescription medication for 12 weeks showed improved epithelial functioning of the blood vessels and lowered blood sugar levels as compared to the control group who were supplemented with placebo. Pycnogenol showed results in improving the efficiency of blood vessels allowing better exchange through the vessels wall.

Pycnogenol has been found to be effective in inhibiting the action of alpha-glucosidase, the intestinal enzyme involved in the digestion of complex carbohydrates like sugar and starch. Alpha-glucosidase is responsible for breaking the food carbs in to simple molecules to be absorbed by the blood. Pycnogenol has an inhibitory effect on alpha-glucosidase and hence uptake of glucose from a meal is delayed, which helps to prevent the sudden rise of glucose in the blood after meals. Pycnogenol has been found to be 190 times more potent that other prescription medication commonly used for treating type II diabetes, Precose.

This action of inhibiting alpha-glucosidase activity is due to the large procyanidin molecules present in Pycnogenol. They work as carbohydrate blocker and hence normalize the blood sugar levels. They allow the steady flow of glucose in the blood, which keeps you stay fuller for a longer time.

Studies have shown the beneficial effects of pycnogenol in lowering blood pressure and treating eye complications in diabetic patients.

Other Health Benefits of Pycnogenol:

Studies have shown the effectiveness of pycnogenol in:

1. Circulation problems: It helps in reducing leg cramps caused by poor circulation of blood.

2. Allergies and asthma: Studies have shown the beneficial effects of pycnogenol in reducing allergy symptoms.

3. Improved stamina: It boosts up your energy levels and enhances your endurance.

4. Inflammation: Pycnogenol contains anti-oxidants that help in fighting free radicals, which are the major cause of inflammatory diseases.

Related articles
  • New Type 2 Diabetes Drug Helps Lower Blood Sugar: Study (news.health.com)

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+

Related posts:

  1. Why Is Fish Oil A Good Anti-Inflammatory Supplement?
  2. Epstein Barr Virus (+ 5 Ways to Boost Your Immune System)
  3. Why Does Gluten Bother So Many People?
  4. Ashwagandha for effective stress relief
  5. What are the Health Benefits of Riboflavin B-2
  6. Good Healthy Fats
  7. Did You Know That One Mineral Can Equal Healthier Arteries?
  8. Weight Loss Due to Cancer and Pancreatic Enzymes

Filed Under: Blood Sugar Tagged With: Blood Sugar, Conditions and Diseases, Diabetes, Diabetes mellitus, Diabetes mellitus type 2, health, Pancreas, Proanthocyanidin


Add to Cart for Best Pricing!

Want To Learn More About Vitamins, Nutrition And More? Subscribe!

*  Your Email Address:
*  Preferred Format:
    First Name:
*  Enter the security code shown:

Email marketing by Interspire

Categories

POPULAR READS

300px-Rumex_acetosella_38427.jpg

Health Benefits of Ojibwa Comparable to Essiac Tea

320px-Rheumatoid_Arthritis.jpg

What Are The Health Benefits Of Curamed?

All You Need To Know About Serrapaptase

Why Is Solaray A Great Vitamin And Herb Company?

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
About Us · Contact Us · Shop Now
Copyright © 2023 · VitanetOnline.com

Manage Cookie Consent
We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}