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)?
In two controlled trials in Germany, pine bark extract was as effective as Ritalin in in managing ADHD symptoms.
Pycnogenols (also known as OPCs, oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes) are effective antioxidants, successfully used to enhance capillary stability, improve lymphatic drainage, and relieve symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.

 


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Last Updated: August 27, 2001
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