New Published Reports Suggest Nutritional Supplement A Natural Alternative in Decreasing Risk Factor for America's No. 1 Killer
09/29/1999
Guernsey, Channel Islands -- Sept. 29, 1999 -- A nutritional supplement made from special pine trees found only in France may offer a natural alternative in decreasing a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, America's No. 1 cause of death, according to two reports recently published.
The supplement, Pycnogenol® (Pik-NAH-je-nol) brand French maritime pine bark extract, is the subject of a study, "Inhibition of Smoking-Induced Platelet Aggregation by Aspirin and Pycnogenol® ," published in a peer-reviewed journal, Thrombosis Research (vol. 95, issue number 4, pages 155-161,1999). One of the lead authors, Ronald Watson, PhD, Professor of Public Health Research at the University of Arizona School of Medicine in Tucson, is also the author of a review paper, "Reduction of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors by French Maritime Pine Bark Extract," which appeared in the June, 1999 issue of CardiovascuIar Reviews and Reports.
Pycnogenol® is a powerful complex of antioxidants that may reduce the risks associated with health conditions precipitated by free-radical damage. The benchmark study was presented last year at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting.
In the study, Pycnogenol® significantly reduced platelet aggregation, a condition that occurs when the smallest blood cells stick together and form blood clots. A clump of cells in a narrowed artery feeding a region of the brain can produce a stroke, while aggregated platelets in restricted blood vessels feeding the heart can lead to heart attacks. The cycle begins when the body experiences stress, whether it is from daily activities, smoking or even exercising. When stress results, large amounts of adrenaline are released. Adrenaline, a stress hormone, causes platelets to aggregate, one of the first events in the initiation of a blood.clot, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Pycnogenol® may benefit the entire cardiovascular system by preventing excessive platelet aggregation brought on by smoking and stress.
This is good news for the substantial portion of the population that cannot tolerate the side effects of long-term aspirin use, including increased bleeding time and stomach problems. Pycnogenol® did not increase bleeding time while aspirin did. While the results showed that both Pycnogenol® and aspirin reduced platelet aggregation significantly, a single, smaller dose of Pycnogenol® was as effective as a five times larger amount of the aspirin.
"Our research shows that Pycnogenol® is a safe and natural option especially for those who cannot tolerate the adverse effects of aspirin," said Dr. Watson. "Here's a completely natural substance with remarkable activity, producing effects within minutes. It may have enormous health implications for an aging population."
A leading naturopathic physician, Marcus Laux, ND, believes Watson's research will be welcome news to heart patients and those with a family history of cardiovascular disorders. "Pycnogenol® functions as a natural anti-coagulant with the added bonus of being a superior free radical zapper," said Dr. Laux. "That means those who take Pycnogenol® will benefit from a supplement that not only protects vital organs, including the heart, but provides value as a powerful antioxidant. For my patients interested in healthy aging, Pycnogenol® is a fundamental antioxidant to include," he added.
A U.S. patent (#5,720,956) was recently granted based on the compelling research findings of Dr. Watson and the patent's inventor and research collaborator, Peter Rohdewald, Ph.D., of the University of Münster, Germany. The new patent shows, for the first time, that Pycnogenol® can inhibit platelet aggregation.
The study was conducted with a group of 38 "healthy" smokers at the University of Münster in Germany, and at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Volunteers were given a single dose of 100-120 mg of Pycnogenol® or 500 mg of aspirin . Then they smoked to increase platelet aggregation and blood clumping during the two hours prior to having their blood drawn.
Within 2 hours after smoking, participants were evaluated to measure the effects of Pycnogenol® or aspirin in reducing smoking-induced platelet aggregation. Smokers were the focus because it is easier to measure their dramatically increased clumping of platelets.
Pycnogenol® is a trademarked, water-soluble flavonoid complex. It is sold as a supplement in health food stores and pharmacies and other retail outlets. Years of research support its antioxidant properties and its ability to enhance the body's circulation.
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