Category Archives: Pine Bark Extract

Review: CAM for ADHD

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are frequently given to children and adolescents for reputed benefits for hyperkinetic and concentration disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Researchers in Arizona and Australia assessed the evidence based on the results of studies providing an acceptable standard of evidence. Continue reading Review: CAM for ADHD

Herbals for arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions

Ms. Meenakshi Khatta is a nurse practitioner and associate professor at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Nurse Khatta has reviewed the use of CAM to treat pain due to musculoskeletal conditions.

Here are her findings on herbal supplements used to treat fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Continue reading Herbals for arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions

CAM and diabetes: An update of recent studies

The World Health Organization has predicted a 39% rise in the worldwide prevalence of diabetes by 2030. And an article in The Lancet indicates this might be an underestimation.

Since November is Diabetes Month, here’s a round-up of CAM options for people with diabetes from 2006 through March 2007.
Continue reading CAM and diabetes: An update of recent studies

Prevalence of diabetes in the US in 2006

The Centers for Disease Control has just published the latest data on the prevalence of diabetes in the US.

  • 11% of adults aged 40 to 59 years
  • 23% of those 60 and older have diabetes

Is it any wonder that so many CAM therapies are studied in people with diabetes?

A quick listing of CAM entries for diabetes on this blog is provided below. Or, click the button on the right sidebar to see all of the diabetes entries.

Continue reading Prevalence of diabetes in the US in 2006

Pycnogenol: pine bark discord

Six years ago I wrote an article about pycnogenol. It was a story about a man (Dr. Jacques Masquelier), his invention (the extraction process), and alleged trademark infringement, which prevents him from selling his product in the United States.

Pycnogenol is a scavenger of oxygen free radicals, and Dr. Masquelier’s website presents a long list of benefits attributed to pycnogenol. We await the supporting clinical trial results, however.

The point of this post is to update that original article. Dr. Masquelier (in his late 80s) is retired. His successors continue to defend the extraction process and their product.

7/1/06 9:33 JR