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More Good News About Pine Bark and Osteoarthritis

The most common prescription to treat osteoarthritis is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but many people seek alternative treatments because of the side effects associated with these drugs. Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, has been shown to reduce osteoarthritis in multiple studies.

A new study further reveals Pycnogenol's ability to improving osteoarthritis symptoms and lower plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation.

Results of the study showed that Pycnogenol significantly lowered CRP from 3.9 mg/L to 1.1 mg/L, a healthy level. Other blood parameters indicative of acute inflammation likewise decreased with Pycnogenol, such as fibrinogen, which was lowered by just over 37 percent, and reactive oxygen species, which was lowered by about 30 percent.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (4)
 
 
Posted On Jan 06, 2009
There are two studies that were released in 2008 which found that the use of pycnogenol (100-150mg daily) is superior in anti-inflammatory activity and pain reduction, and also costs much less than NSAIDs.  Here are the links.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18386255?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubm ed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18570266?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubm ed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles& ;logdbfrom=pubmed


 
spuderik
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 6/2006
spuderik  
 
 
 
Posted On Dec 19, 2008
I noticed some time after getting rid of candida that I no longer had arthritis pains in my fingers. The pain has never returned. It definitely was arthritis, as the doc sent me for an x-ray to be sure (this was some years ago).

His view was 'it's not advanced enough to need treatment yet'. In other words, 'let it get worse, then I will give you a drug'. Typical!

 
Julieanne
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 6/2007
Julieanne  
Replied

Ameliorate
Novice User Novice User Joined On 12/2008
Ameliorate  
 
Posted On Dec 21, 2008
Julieanne, I have been all over, complaining about doctors giving prescription drugs before they even have a diagnosis, so to hear you say that about your doctor doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It does depend on the type of arthritis, but sometimes, it is better not to do anything (as far as prescription meds go).  I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and found out that no prescription drug is actually going to make that better, although it can take the pain and inflammation away. The drug of choice for that is of course an nsaid. You can get those over the counter and reasonably priced if that is what you choose to take. Before I had that diagnosis, I was given scripts for several dangerous drugs (even samples of some of them). So whenever a doctor wants to delay giving you a prescription drug, it is usually a good thing.      

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 07, 2009

I read in another health newsletter that Pycnogenol is also useful in venous insufficienty....the kind where blisters and unlcers form on the lower legs.  My husband suffers terribly from this affliction.  He is also diabetic and his heart a weakened although he has never had a heart attack.  He is also on coumadin so when the blisters break, he bleeds ....  Anyone have any like experience and something that can possibly help him?  I would be so very grateful for any tips on sources or information or personal experiences.  


 
Exodus
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 7/2008
Exodus  
 
 
 
 
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