Do a search & read what it might be possible healer for. I see it's a powerful antioxident & may also help circulation for venous insuf.
I have a rash on my leg which is why I payed attention when Dr Oz mentioned it for such, but it looks to be worth a try for more.

I have found many, many things that Pine Brark can "cure". The most amazing is when I told my doctor a Board Certified Cardiologist that it could just about cure heart failure.

I showed him this abstract and in my next office visit he said that he "tried it" and that he did not get the 22.4% increase in ejection fraction.

He only saw a 20% increase.

That means the heart was pumping about 20% more volume per beat.

He was very pleased.

The minimum effective dose is 150mg but I think 100 mg twice a day is best.

As a side-effect it helped raise my HDL from 41 to 76.

jackD

p.s. I have done much research on this stuff and I will list some of my findings later.

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~jdalton/P...l%20levels.pdf

Panminerva Med. 2010 Jun;52(2 Suppl 1):21-5.

Investigation of Pycnogenol® in combination with coenzymeQ10 in heart failure patients (NYHA II/III).

Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, Hosoi M, Ippolito E, Bavera P, Grossi MG.
SourceIrvine3 Labs, Department Biomedical Sciences, Chieti-Pescara University, Pescara, Italy. cardres@abol.it

Abstract
AIM: In this study we investigated benefits of a Pycnogenol - coenzyme Q10 combination (PycnoQ10) taken as an adjunct to medical treatment in stable heart failure patients. The aim of this single-blinded, 12-week observational study was to provide functional parameters such as exercise capacity, ejection fraction and distal edema.

METHODS: The essential element for inclusion was a stable level of heart failure within the past three months and stable NYHA class II or III (6 months). The heart failure management was in accordance with AHA guidelines for "best treatment." The treatment and control groups were comparable at baseline. The mean age of the PycnoQ10-treated patients was 61.3+/-7.1 years and 62.1+/-3.7 in the control group. All patients were taking medication and most patients (>75%) used three or more drugs for heart failure treatment. There were two dropouts in the PycnoQ10 treatment group and 6 in the control group (5 NYHA III patients).

RESULTS: Nine PycnoQ10 treated patients (out of 32) and 3 (out of 21) taking placebo improved NYHA class. Systolic and diastolic pressure as well as heart rate and respiratory rate were significantly lowered with PycnoQ10 as compared to the control group (P<0.05). No significant changes were observed in controls. Heart ejection fraction increased by 22.4% in the treatment group (P<0.05) versus 4.0% in controls. Walking distance on treadmill increased 3.3-fold in PycnoQ10 treated patients (P<0.05) but marginally improved in the control group. Distal edema decreased significantly in PycnoQ10 treated patients and only slightly in controls.

CONCLUSION: The association of Pycnogenol and CoQ10 may offer an important therapeutic option with a very good tolerability that improves heart failure management without side effects.

PMID:20657530[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Lipids. 2002 Oct;37(10):931-4.

Supplementation with a pine bark extract rich in polyphenols increases plasma antioxidant capacity and alters the plasma lipoprotein profile.

Devaraj S, Vega-López S, Kaul N, Schönlau F, Rohdewald P, Jialal I.

SourceLaboratory for Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research, University of California, Davis, Medical Center, Sacramento, California 95817, USA.

Abstract
Pycnogenol (PYC), an extract of French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), is a potent antioxidant with potential health benefits. Its bioavailabilty has previously been shown by urinary excretion studies of constituents and metabolites of PYC. The aim of this study was to test the effect of PYC supplementation on measures of oxidative stress and the lipid profile in humans. Twenty-five healthy subjects received PYC (150 mg/d) for 6 wk. Fasting blood was collected at baseline, after 3 and 6 wk of supplementation, and again after a 4-wk washout period. After 6 wk of supplementation with PYC, a significant increase in plasma polyphenol levels was detectable, which was reversed after the 4-wk washout phase. The antioxidant effect of PYC was demonstrated by a significant increase in oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) in plasma throughout the supplementation period (P < 0.05). The ORAC value returned to baseline after the 4-wk washout period. Moreover, in addition to its antioxidant effects, PYC significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol levels and increased HDL-cholesterol levels in plasma of two-thirds of the subjects. While the LDL changes reversed during washout, the HDL increase did not. There was no significant difference in LDL oxidizability or plasma lipid peroxides following PYC supplementation. Hence, following oral supplementation in humans, PYC significantly increases antioxidant capacity of plasma, as determined by ORAC, and exerts favorable effects on the lipid profile.

PMID:12530550[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

It lowers MMP-9s. MMP-9s make holes in the BBB and enter brain and cut meylin in little pieces. NOT THE CAUSE OF MS!!! But the way the damage is done.

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~jdalton/Yongrev.pdf

jackD




Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2008 Feb;19(1):42-51. Epub 2007 Jun 19.

This abstract below shows that they have known for over 10 years the positive health effects that pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) has for a wide variety of medical problems.

I have posted some of the more recent abstracts.

I started taking the Pycnogenol because my doctor had added the "calcium channel blocker" drug Nifedipine to control my high blood pressure drugs but It caused the edema in my foot to get much worse.

He was quite surprised when I showed him this abstract that indicates that the control this problem for this drug quite well.

jackD

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2006 Oct;12(4):440-4.

Control of edema in hypertensive subjects treated with calcium antagonist (nifedipine) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors with Pycnogenol.

Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Ricci A, Cornelli U, Rodhewald P, Ledda A, Di Renzo A, Stuard S, Cacchio M, Vinciguerra G, Gizzi G, Pellegrini L, Dugall M, Fano F.
SourceDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Irvine2 Vasc Lab, G D'annunzio University. Cardres@abol.it

Abstract
The presence of edema in different phases and stages of essential hypertension may be due to antihypertensive treatment. Some drugs may cause edema by inducing vasodilatation, increasing the capillary exchange surface and capillary filtration. Pycnogenol has an important anti-edema effect in diabetic microangiopathy and chronic venous insufficiency. This 8-week study evaluated capillary filtration in 2 comparable treatment groups with hypertension treated with a calcium antagonist (nifedipine) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor to define its efficacy in preventing edema caused by antihypertensives. A significant decrease in filtration was observed in the Pycnogenol groups.

Pycnogenol controls this type of edema, it helps to prevent and limit long-term damage in the microcirculation in hypertensive patients, and allows the dose of anti-hypertensive drugs to be reduced in most patients.
PMID:17000888[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

I can't seem to let go of my interest in MS even though I lost my sister to it last year. On the Pycnogenol I got on it in 1995 and it was life changing for my health and stayed with it for a year and then went to grape seed extract. I brought Pycnogenol and LDN and what I could to my sister's attention but she didn't listen. Venous insufficiency is one big area that it works on.

Another supp I am going back to is Sphingoln for nerve damage from a hip surgery, it did a lot for me and then I've been off it for a couple yrs and nerve issues came back. So I ordered it again and in the reviews some with MS gave it a favorable review.

I know you all know so much but now and then we need reminders. Take care.

PS: Reading JackD's words on Pycnogenol and it "Could" prevent heart failure.

When I heard a lecture on it back in 1995, we were even told it MAY prevent cancer(s). There are many many studies printed now on this OPC for some cancers. That was the MAIN reason I got on it.

Gums and Eyes are in good condition and I know it's due to this/these OPC's.

There is so much out there to help us and we can miss so much if not brought to our attention by whomever. Not going to hear it from the MD's.

I was hoping there would be comments on Pine Bark or Grape Seed Ex. Here's a clinic in Calif. and they offer alternatives to their MS patients. Including Grape Seed Ex. Often wonder IF my sister had taken it???? Would things have been different...she lost her battle in Dec 2016.

Multiple Sclerosis

Go figure 1st time looking up this old ms site in long long time.
Pine b still in drawer, never took it. Anyone try it?
I still swim and 100 other things, my ms has progressed a lot.

Oh goodness, and I thought I was talking to someone who takes Pine Bark or Grape Seed Extract which are OPC's. I have such a strong feeling on these for everything that is wrong in our bodies.