Pine Bark Bull

This story isn't what you think. We can't speak on the whether or not pine bark works or doesn't work we can say that our Los Angeles Times said this last year:

"Pine bark extract holds promise (but the proof isn't all in) - To our surprise, there are studies suggesting that Pycnogenol, extracted from French maritime pine bark, is better than a placebo in making blood vessels more flexible (Hypertension Research, September 2007), improving blood-sugar control and reducing cardiovascular risk factors (Nutrition Research, May 2008) and reducing knee pain from osteoarthritis (Phytotherapy Research, August 2008). Any uses for skin care or asthma and allergy relief still seem fairly speculative. Side effects are uncommon." - PEOPLE'S PHARMACY (October 12, 2009)

We can't fault the researchers we have to fault the reporters and the editors that didn't take the time to challenge the facts or the research that reached the results that it did. We do not doubt that "chemical alternatives" or prescription medicines are far superior than any old wives remedy. Even pine bark extract has to be thought of as a medicine, just the "over the counter" variety. Science doesn't intentionally lie and we don't necessarily believe that the latest research is faulty beyond what we suspect. Some of the early research for instance found:

"In this double-blind trial, 61 children with ADHD were randomized 2:1 to receive 1 mg/kg/day pine bark extract or placebo for 4 weeks. ...The pine bark extract group had a significant reduction in hyperactivity and improved attention, visual-motor coordination, and concentration, whereas there were no positive effects noted in the placebo group. One month after pine bark extract treatment ceased, patients had recurrence of symptoms. Treatment was not significantly effective for girls in contrast to boys, but there were only 6 girls in the pine bark extract group." - European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (May 13, 2006)

This research isn't by any means conclusive. The numbers are small and the subjects young. We've made this point many times before that the challengers aren't always of clean hands. Unfortunately that old argument might not hold in this instance. We maintain that under the circumstances tested and from our understanding of the both pine bark extract and the results revealed in this new study some things aren't quite correct. For instance:

"Hayfever symptoms - The researchers looked at levels of birch pollen specific IgE in 60 people with birch-related hayfever. Participants were assigned to receive the pine bark extract supplement (100 mg per day of Pychnogenol) or placebo throughout the allergy season. Results showed that IgE levels increased by 32 per cent in the placebo group, compared with only 19 per cent in the pine bark extract group... “Our findings suggest that taking Pycnogenol in a timely manner does substantially contribute to better symptom relief,” stated the researchers. “Unfortunately, the small cohort of eight best responding subjects, those who took Pycnogenol 7 to 8 weeks prior to birch pollen exposure was too small to provide statistical relevance." - NutraIngredients (Pine Bark)

That's not the only instance in which pine bark extract was found to be effective. We admit that this a bit of a misdirection of information in that it does not specifically address the specifics mentioned in the news and Los Angeles Times article. It's on point in that the extract shows results. It's not ineffective. Another case on point of its effectiveness is the following:

"Natural Pine Bark Extract Relieves Muscle Cramp And Pain In Athletes And Diabetics - ...all the participants were given 200 mg of Pycnogenol once a day for four weeks. After the treatment phase, participants' symptoms and cramping episodes were recorded for one week without any Pycnogenol supplementation." - Medical News Today (June 2006)

More to the point of the research is the following research that talks about the amount of pine bark extract given and the results received. Still we admit the cite is not directly on the specifics of the research that we dispute. We don't say that the report is incorrect. We say that we see some flaws and in that instance we offer this more recent information.

"Pine bark extract may benefit blood pressure-related kidney health - Dr Belcaro and his co-workers recruited 55 hypertensive patients to participate in the randomized, controlled study. Subjects were assigned to receive Ramipril (10 mg per day), and 29 of these people were randomly selected to also receive Pycnogenol (150 mg per day)." - NutraIngredients (March 2010)

We admit that this cite is suspect in that it's not the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). The problem is with that is journals of medicine don't generally provide research on non-prescription medications. That does not mean that they never provide such research only that research is largely sponsored by large corporations. That we do not challenge either. They have the money and get the tax deductions to do it. It is what it is and institutions of high learning often insulate themselves from improprieties. With that in mind we offer another successful use of pine bark extract.

"Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis - 100 patients were treated for 3 months either by 150 mg Pycnogenol per day at meals or by placebo. Patients had to report any change of use of previously prescribed antiinflammatory medication during the study period. Patients filled the Western Ontario and Mc Masters University (WOMAC) questionnaire for osteoarthritis every 2 weeks and evaluated weekly pain symptoms using a visual analogue scale for pain intensity. RESULTS: Following treatment with Pycnogenol patients reported an improvement of WOMAC index (p < 0.05), and a significant alleviation of pain by visual analogue scale (p < 0.04), the placebo had no effect. The use of analgesics diminished in the verum group but increased under the placebo. Treatment with Pycnogenol was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Results show that Pycnogenol in patients with mild to moderate OA improves symptoms and is able to spare NSAIDs." PubMed.gov (Aug 2008)

We order from American Nutrition because of their low prices and especially when they offer free shipping. They're hard to beat. When searching for verification we were going to use their site to justify the report and any possible action by the Federal Trade Commission until we read this:

"Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement take 1 to 3 capsules daily with a glass of water and food or as directed by a health care professional. Take consistently each day for best results." American Nutrition (Pine Bark Extract)

We believe that pine bark extract is effective and does work. We offer that belief based on not just the following but what the other cites that will follow discovered. We readily admit that the numbers of the studies are small which makes their conclusions less valid than a larger study. We offer the other cites as indications of why the news worthy study was or might have been as ineffective as the results were.

"Pycnogenol or Pine Bark Extract Reduces Jetlag by Nearly 50 Percent - The study, conducted at the G. D'Annunzio University in Pescara, Italy, consisted of 133 passengers who took flights that were seven to nine hours in length. Fifty (50) mg of oral Pycnogenol was administered three (3) times daily, for seven (7) days, starting two (2) days prior to the flight." - Elements4Health (November 2008)

What's the final word on the subject we'd say that Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center  (MSKCC) words on Pine Bark just about says it all:

"Pine bark extract has been studied in humans for various conditions. Preliminary research suggests that it reduces menopausal symptoms in peri-menopausal women (8), relieves symptoms of dysmenorrhea (27), and improves osteoarthritic symptoms (9) (10). It is also used to treat skin disorders such as hyperpigmentation (11), erythema (12), endometriosis (13), and systemic lupus erythematosus (14). Pine bark extract can improve endothelial dysfunction (2) and chronic venous insufficiency (5). Chewing gum containing pine bark extract may reduce gingival bleeding and plaque accumulation (19). When used in conjunction with L-arginine, Pycnogenol is effective in improving symptoms of erectile dysfunction (18) (29). Pycnogenol supplementation also enhanced memory in elderly participants (7). Studies of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and in children yielded mixed results (3) (4)." - For Health Care Professionals (Pine Bark Extract)

Hypertension is something that affects many of us though it was not something that affect PearlieMae. Using the Sloan Kettering source for consumers you can see why the latest news report dismissing Pine Bark Extract leaves much to be desired:

"Treatment of hypertension - This clinical trial involved 58 patients with hypertension. Patients were given a combination of 5mg nifedipine and placebo or 5mg nifedipine and 100mg pyncogenol daily for 12 weeks. All patients were given 20mg of nifedipine before the study began. The dosage of nifedipine was adjusted (increased or lowered by 5 mg) according to measured blood pressure values every two weeks. Researchers found that most patients had normal blood pressure after the 12 week period with 10mg nifedipine and pycnogenol. They concluded that pycnogenol is effective in treating mild hypertension." - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (Consumer)

We are not scientists and neither are the reporters and writers generally that bring your news to you. What we are is curious and critical. So when the news reports says something doesn't work we seek to see if we can verify their words. We challenged the report when we found this bit of information:

"Fasting blood glucose was lowered dose dependently until a dose of 200 mg Pycnogenol was administered. Increasing the dose from 200 to 300 mg did not further decrease blood glucose. Compared with baseline, 100–300 mg lowered fasting glucose significantly from 8.64 ± 0.93 to 7.54 ± 1.64 mmol/l (P < 0.05). Fifty milligrams of Pycnogenol lowered postprandial glucose significantly from 12.47 ± 1.06 to 11.16 ± 2.11 mmol/l (P < 0.05). Maximum decrease of postprandial glucose was observed with 200 mg to 10.07 ± 2.69 mmol/l; 300 mg had no stronger effect." - American Diabetes Association (March 2004)

What's that mean? If you take too much then nothing happens if you take just the right amount something does. The amount tested and disclosed in the latest news story was not the right amount. When mixed with other drugs pine bark extract works more effectively without the side effects normally associated with treatment. Admitted the cite refers to diabetes the results might be the same. Yes, we said might. We aren't scientists remember.

"Pine Bark Can Treat Side Effects Of Hypertension Medication - The study of 53 patients, published in the journal of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/ Hemostasis, found that Pycnogenol(R) reduced ankle swelling by over a third in patients taking ACE inhibitors and nifedipine, medicines commonly used to treat hypertension. These findings are important as more than 35 percent of patients taking antihypertensive medications are believed to suffer from painful and swollen legs (oedema) as a side-effect." - Medical News Today (January 2007)

PearlieMae suffered from swelling of the legs and some of us suffer from ankle swelling. When headlines like todays are released that aren't quite like the research but cry that research was flawed its easy to see how wrong the reports are without much examination of the research. So lets look at their conclusions again:

"This pine bark extract (at a dosage of 200 mg/d) was safe but was not associated with improvement in cardiovascular disease risk factors. Although variations among participants, dosages, and chemical preparations could contribute to different findings compared with past studies, our results are consistent with a general failure of antioxidants to demonstrate cardiovascular benefits." - Archives of Internal Medicine (Original Investigation)

The wrong dosage given the wrong amount of times without the right medicine and it's generally harmless. That pine bark extract won't harm you is what the investigation discovered. That's whats news worthy. We do offer this tidbit of information.

"The study was funded by Toyo Shinyaku Co. of Japan, which makes pine bark supplements." - LA Times

Most noticeable and we admit is complete speculation on our part is that the type of pine bark extract from Japan and California isn't of the French or Italian variety thats been tested and founded to be effective. Maybe that doesn't matter but upon further speculation maybe it does. After all there is gold and then there's fools gold.