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Re: depakote weight gain, any supplements to help?

Posted by morganpmiller on June 20, 2009, at 1:56:08

In reply to Re: depakote weight gain, any supplements to help?, posted by mogger on June 19, 2009, at 20:29:35

> thanks for your thoughts everyone I really appreciate it.
> I am going to get to the bottom of why she has gained weight. She does exercise quite a bit. I do know that she always craves carbs.
> mogger

Pycnogenol may help with carbs. Read this carefully, there is a mention of pycnogenol slowing the absorption of carbohydrates.


Pycnogenol reduces cardiovascular disease risk in type II diabetics
Nutrition Research Newsletter , June, 2008
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Type II diabetes is a serious and well-prevalent disease worldwide. It is supposed to be the fifth leading cause of mortality globally and requires medications to control glucose levels. In this perspective, herbal supplements have been used with traditional medicines. The healing powers of pine bark have been well-known for centuries together. Pycnogenol is a natural water extract derived from the bark of maritime pine trees along the French coast. These contain a combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids, and organic acids. The health benefits of the extract include its properties as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodialator, and the ability to produce endothelial nitric oxide. Pycnogenol has been widely used in dietary supplements, multivitamins and health products alike.
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Research on pycnogenol has shown its effectiveness to reduce risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. A study carried out by Ronald Watson, adjunct professor of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, showed that pycnogenol might improve parameters of lowering glucose and providing cardiovascular benefits at the same time. Watson also carried out several clinical trials to show that pycnogenol could significantly lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. Furthermore, he also discovered that pycnogenol could reduce the activity of blood platelets, thus presenting a preventative effect for thrombosis in a manner similar to aspirin.

Previous studies demonstrate that pycnogenol significantly lowers fasting and postprandial blood sugar in type II diabetic patients, apparently without affecting patient's insulin levels. Research carried out by Petra Hogger at the University of Wurzburg, Germany, found out that pycnogenol inhibited the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which breaks down complex carbohydrates (typically starch) into glucose molecules in the duodenum, which are then able to enter the blood stream. Since people with type II diabetes have elevated CVD risk factors, and these represent the primary cause for morbidity, the rationale of the study was to see if pycnogenol could improve the risk factors and at the same time improve blood sugar levels.

The study was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week trial consisting of 48 men and women. The patients recruited for the study were older adults aged between 40 and 75 who were noninsulin-dependent diabetics taking antidiabetic medications such as metformin, sulfonylurea and/or glitazones. Although the patients were on antihypertensive medication with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as Lisinopril, their average blood pressure levels were > 136 mmHg and fasting glucose levels were 142 mg/dL, against the normal value below 120 mg/dL. The patients were instructed to add pycnogenol to their regular medication or placebo. During the 12-week trial, the patients were allowed to take daily multivitamins, but had to refrain from using any other food supplements. They were allowed to continue their diet as before the clinical trial.

Blood pressure was measured in two week intervals and the prescription medication dosage for hypertension was adjusted to keep the blood pressure levels below 130 mmHg. At baseline, and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks, blood samples were withdrawn and tested for blood glucose, the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1, HbA1c, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Urine samples were also analyzed for protein content. All parameters showed a considerable improvement and 50% of the patients reached a healthy blood pressure and 58% could lower their antihypersensitive medication. The blood glucose levels decreased from 142 mg/dL to 118 mg/dL in 12 weeks.

The study implicated that pycnogenol is a perfect adjunct to prescription medication for type II diabetic people. The potency of pycnogenol was evident as patients were able to lower their antihypertensive medication dosage. The study showed that pycnogenol slowed the absorption of carbohydrates; however, it did not interfere with the activities of prescription diabetes medication, but contributed to further glucose lowering activity. The striking result of the research study was that urinary protein decreased, which suggest that pycnogenol might have a protective effect on the kidneys. However, this needs to be further investigated for the possible prevention of diabetic nephropathy.

The study was carried out in collaboration with the University of Munster, Germany. The study was supported by a grant offered by Horphag Research (UK).

S. Zibadi, P. J. Rohdewald, D. Park, R. R. Watson. Reduction of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes by Pycnogenol Supplementation. Nutrition Research; (Elsevier), May 2008, (volume 28, Issue 5:pp. 315-320). [Correspondence: Dr Ronald Watson PhD, Adjunct Professor, Nutritional Sciences, Department of Family and Community Medicine, 1295, N, Martin Campus, PO Box 245163, Tuscon, AZ 85724-5163. Phone: 520-626-2850. E-mail: rwatson@email.arizona.edu.]


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