Pine Bark Extract/Grape Seed Extract/Pycnogenol

Case
Parents of an 8-year-old are eager to avoid stimulant medications. They’d like to know if pycnogenol (pine bark extract) might help their son’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
Question
Which of the following is true about pycnogenol (pine bark)?
Answer B is correct.

 
Pine bark extract and grape seed extract, sources of oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), are potent antioxidants and are widely used in Europe to reduce symptoms of venous insufficiency. Several manufacturers promote pycnogenols as a natural remedy for ADHD, but there are no published controlled trials evaluating their effectiveness or safety in treating children or adults with ADHD. Like similar compounds found in bilberry fruits, OPCs appear to enhance night vision and recovery from glare.
There are no reported allergies, serious side effects or drug
interactions associated with pine bark extract/pycnogenols/OPCs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPC'S:
Our OPC's page has:
An in-depth monograph with references
A handout for clinicians
A handout for patients
Links to information on other websites
Click here

Other sites with information about OPCs and/or ADHD:

FromThePines.com, a sales site with many claims of the benefits of
pycnogenols:
http://www.fromthepines.com/pyc.html

An online self-instructional program on ADHD from the University of
Virginia:
http://www.med.virginia.edu/adhd/

CHADD, the national non-profit support group for families of children
and adults with ADHD:
http://www.chadd.org/index.html

 


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Last Updated: August 27, 2001
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