Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract for diabetes

Did you know ?...

• The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes.
• An estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high blood sugar in 2004
• Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
• Healthy diet, regular physical activity and maintaining a normal body weight can prevent or delay the onset of type II diabetes

Data source : Diabetes Fact sheet N°312– January 2011 – WHO

Which are the risk factors?

Diabetes represents an epidemic in most parts of the world with ever more individuals suffering from metabolic syndrome. Obesity and cardiovascular risk factors represent a serious health threat for eventually developing diabetic complications. Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract may assist in alleviating these symptoms in various ways.

How does Pycnogenol^® French maritime pine bark extract help manage blood glucose levels?

In diabetes, the excess amounts of glucose remaining unused in the blood stream may impact the vascular system. Pycnogenol® may help normalize blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates, which results is a reduced glucose load of the blood stream.

How does Pycnogenol^® inhibit carbohydrate absorption?

Pycnogenol® significantly delays uptake of complex sugars such as starch. It potently inhibits the digestive enzyme α-glucosidase in the duodenum. Other α-glucosidase inhibitors such as green tea extract, pure catechin and the oral antidiabetic medication acarbose (Precose, Glucobay) are dramatically less potent. Pycnogenol® delays the uptake of glucose from a meal 190 times more potently than prescription medications, preventing the typical high glucose peak in the blood stream after a meal.

Diabetes and retinopathy

More than half the people suffering from diabetes may eventually develop retinopathy, an eye disease caused by capillaries leaking blood into the retina, leading to gradual vision loss.

Five clinical studies with over 1000 patients demonstrated Pycnogenol® strengthens retinal capillaries and preserves eye sight. Recent research on Pycnogenol® and a proprietary bilberry extract shows the ingredient combination normalizes intraocular pressure which significantly reduces the likelihood of developing glaucoma.