Wellness

[JeanLouiseFinch]

DH and I take Vitacost Pine Bark Extract.  I just read that if it's taken with Vitamin C, it could raise blood pressure. so people with hypertension should be aware of that.  I am being treated for high blood pressure so it looks like I might need to either switch the timing of when I take the Pine Bark or quit it altogther.

[emmysmom]

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@bebe777 wrote:

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@emmysmom wrote:

Supposed to be great for aging,skin, heart disease, circulation, diabetes etc.

Tia!

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emmysmon, first off, what would you specifically be taking pycnogenol for? 

The reason I ask is that while it's a very good antioxidant and it will help with circulation, it's very expensive. Unless you need to take it for a very specific reason, your supplement dollars may be better spent elsewhere. 

-- bebe

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Thanks bebe..I would be taking it for my circulation, aging and diabetes..my bf has it and it was suggested for him. I read about it and it sounds great..I noticed it is pricey..I take alot of supplements..it takes a whole pharmacy to keep me going...lol.

[emmysmom]

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@MaggieMack wrote:

@bebe777,

I don't find pycnogenol to be nearly as expensive as other supplements I take. I get mine from Swanson's usually, for $16.99 for a months supply of 100 mg per day. I pay $40 per month for Protandim and that's the discounted rate. Honestly, for something that eliminates hot flashes and night sweats for me as well as pycnogenol does, I would gladly pay $100 a month! I take a lot of supplements and find the pycnogenol mid-spectrum as far as cost goes.

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I think its great you found a natural remedy for hot flashes..the cost isn't bad.

[emmysmom]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

DH and I take Vitacost Pine Bark Extract.  I just read that if it's taken with Vitamin C, it could raise blood pressure. so people with hypertension should be aware of that.  I am being treated for high blood pressure so it looks like I might need to either switch the timing of when I take the Pine Bark or quit it altogther.

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Jean, I take potassium for my bp and it works well..I also take a small amount of C..so you think taking the pyconogel at a different time would make a difference??? I really want to try it..anything to help with aging..lol!

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@emmysmom wrote:

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

DH and I take Vitacost Pine Bark Extract.  I just read that if it's taken with Vitamin C, it could raise blood pressure. so people with hypertension should be aware of that.  I am being treated for high blood pressure so it looks like I might need to either switch the timing of when I take the Pine Bark or quit it altogther.

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Jean, I take potassium for my bp and it works well..I also take a small amount of C..so you think taking the pyconogel at a different time would make a difference??? I really want to try it..anything to help with aging..lol!

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@emmysmom - I honestly don't know what to think at this point.  This is new info to me so I need to do some more research.  It may be as simple as reorganizing what I take and when so there's no Vitamin C and Pine Bark at the same time.  Pine Bark is supposed to be a powerful antioxidant and is suppose to be good for healthy circulation, cholesterol, BP, and joint health so it came as a surprise to me when I read that it doesn't get along with the Vitamin C.

[bebe777]

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@emmysmom wrote:

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@bebe777 wrote:

---

@emmysmom wrote:

Supposed to be great for aging,skin, heart disease, circulation, diabetes etc.

Tia!

---

emmysmon, first off, what would you specifically be taking pycnogenol for? 

The reason I ask is that while it's a very good antioxidant and it will help with circulation, it's very expensive. Unless you need to take it for a very specific reason, your supplement dollars may be better spent elsewhere. 

-- bebe

---

Thanks bebe..I would be taking it for my circulation, aging and diabetes..my bf has it and it was suggested for him. I read about it and it sounds great..I noticed it is pricey..I take alot of supplements..it takes a whole pharmacy to keep me going...lol.

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Hi @emmysmom , thanks for clarifying why you were interested in pycnogenol because that help me understand what you are focusing on. Just so you know, I'm not a nutritionist, supplement info is just an avocation for me. I just want to make sure I have the very best body possible when I'm 90, so supplements are just part of my healthy eating program and healthy lifestyle. Since I'm just a "voice"on the world wide web, of course, you should always check my info out further (your doctor, nutritionist, Internet searches, etc.). With that disclaimer, here's what I know about pycnogenol.

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PYCNOGENOL

* it's a brand name for french marine pine bark. Essentially it's a "name brand" of an OPC (a type of proanthocyanidin, the "p") and probably the most expensive OPC on the market. It's good, but you're also paying for the proprietary name.

* There are other good OPC pine bark brands out there. 

* grape seed extract also has OPCs in it and is less expensive that pine bark. 

Some of the possible benefits of OPCs (proanthocyanidins) include (remember it's not an Rx drug): 

* improved circulation throughout the body

* skin improvement 

* improved micro-circulation in the eyes 

* improved cardiovascular ability 

* supports blood vessels

* it can help aggregate and support platelet function

* it's also helpful for the brain and nervous system

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Some additional supplements that might be helpful for diabetics:

* Cassia cinnamon bark extract -- it's the only cinnamon which has research behind it with regard to being beneficial to diabetics: it helps keep blood sugar levels in a normal range. With cinnamon you want to look for the Flavenoid and Type A Polymer levels, because those are the active ingredients. 

* Omega-3 -- a great anti-inflammatory, which also helps maintain blood sugar levels which are already in the normal range.

* Alpha Lipioc Acid -- a super antioxidant, which also helps maintain blood sugar levels which are already in the normal range.

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And, more generally, for basic good supplement nutrition...

* A good multi-vitamin 

* Vitamin D -- a very important co-factor for many body functions. 

* COQ10 -- for mitochondrial support of every single cell in your body. It's like gas for your car. 

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I would recommend that you give Procaps Labs a call (this is the Andrew Lessman supplement line that I mainly use). What's great about the CS reps is that they are extremely knowledgeable about their supplements and they don't try to hard sell you products: they don't have to, because they're the best. *s* Even if you don't purchase a single supplement from them, you'll probably walk away with a lot of good information. -- You may want to ask them about their pine bark product, grape seed product, cassia cinnamon product, alpha lipiod acid product, Vitamin D product, COQ10 and their Essential-1 multi-vitamin. -- if you do decide to purchase some of their supplements, the largest sizes offer the very best values. HSN will have a special value on their COQ10 in October (last year they offered 600 200mg COQ10 capsules for $199). -- I think the best value for Omega-3 is Nordic Naturals (liquid) in the 8oz bottle ($22). They don't use the alcohol esther form (which is less effective) that many other companies use. 

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As I said in the beginning, I'm just a girl with a keen interest in supplements. I should be just one resource among many. 

Best of luck!!! 

-- bebe

[bebe777]

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@MaggieMack wrote:

I have been using it for 10 years. I tried HRT for hot flashes and night sweats and hated the way my body felt and hated the potential damage I could be doing. Then I read about pycnogenol being good for hot flashes and tried it. It took a couple weeks to see a difference, but my oh my what a difference! Better than anything I had ever tried for hot flashes. I take 100 mg capsule at bedtime every night and never have a hot flash. Every couple of years I go off it to see if my body has changed, and the flashes always come back so I start on the pycnogenol again and the problem is solved.

It may be good for those other things you mentioned, hope so, but it is the only thing that stops my flashes. I've told several GFs about it, too, and they continue to thank me because it works for them also.

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and later added:

@bebe777, I don't find pycnogenol to be nearly as expensive as other supplements I take. I get mine from Swanson's usually, for $16.99 for a months supply of 100 mg per day. I pay $40 per month for Protandim and that's the discounted rate. Honestly, for something that eliminates hot flashes and night sweats for me as well as pycnogenol does, I would gladly pay $100 a month! I take a lot of supplements and find the pycnogenol mid-spectrum as far as cost goes.

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@MaggieMack ,lol, as the old saying goes: 

   If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!

Hot flashes were a major problem for me until I became a vegitarian (though I'm not anymore). That's great that you've found something that works for you!! 

-- bebe

[bebe777]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

DH and I take Vitacost Pine Bark Extract.  I just read that if it's taken with Vitamin C, it could raise blood pressure. so people with hypertension should be aware of that.  I am being treated for high blood pressure so it looks like I might need to either switch the timing of when I take the Pine Bark or quit it altogther.

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@JeanLouiseFinch , have you tried drinking hibiscus tea? 

Dr. Oz, who is a cardiologist, has recommended drinking hibiscus tea on a number of his shows. On several occasions, he's also had very prominent cardiologists on his show who also recommended it. They each said, that according to studies, drinking hibiscus tea was just as effective as taking blood pressure medication (but it didn't have any of the Rx side effects). There's no contraindication against using both at the same time either and they work in different ways. 

To a person, every single one of these doctors also said do NOT go off your blood pressure medication just because you have started drinking hibiscus tea: This is a conversation to have between you and your doctor.

Over time, hibiscus tea can increase the amount of nitric oxide in the body which allows for increased blood vessel dilation. I know that there are other foods which do this (e.g. watermelon and horseradish), but hibiscus tea seems to be particularly effective.

A major issue with high blood pressure is the tightening of the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. So the increased dilation of blood vessels be of real value. 

Even though my blood pressure is in the normal range, after listening to these esteemed doctors, I added hibiscus tea to my daily routine because you don't have to have high blood pressure to have a heart attack. So I'm just hedging my bets.

-- bebe  

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@bebe777 wrote:

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

DH and I take Vitacost Pine Bark Extract.  I just read that if it's taken with Vitamin C, it could raise blood pressure. so people with hypertension should be aware of that.  I am being treated for high blood pressure so it looks like I might need to either switch the timing of when I take the Pine Bark or quit it altogther.

---

@JeanLouiseFinch , have you tried drinking hibiscus tea? 

Dr. Oz, who is a cardiologist, has recommended drinking hibiscus tea on a number of his shows. On several occasions, he's also had very prominent cardiologists on his show who also recommended it. They each said, that according to studies, drinking hibiscus tea was just as effective as taking blood pressure medication (but it didn't have any of the Rx side effects). There's no contraindication against using both at the same time either and they work in different ways. 

To a person, every single one of these doctors also said do NOT go off your blood pressure medication just because you have started drinking hibiscus tea: This is a conversation to have between you and your doctor.

Over time, hibiscus tea can increase the amount of nitric oxide in the body which allows for increased blood vessel dilation. I know that there are other foods which do this (e.g. watermelon and horseradish), but hibiscus tea seems to be particularly effective.

A major issue with high blood pressure is the tightening of the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. So the increased dilation of blood vessels be of real value. 

Even though my blood pressure is in the normal range, after listening to these esteemed doctors, I added hibiscus tea to my daily routine because you don't have to have high blood pressure to have a heart attack. So I'm just hedging my bets.

-- bebe  

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Thanks bebe!  I wouldn't mind a cup of hibiscus tea during the day.  Is that what you take, a cup a day?  Or do have more than that?  Did the doctors make a recommendation?  My medication is a simple water pill.  No, I won't go off it, but adding the tea certainly wouldn't hurt.

[bebe777]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

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@bebe777 wrote:

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

DH and I take Vitacost Pine Bark Extract.  I just read that if it's taken with Vitamin C, it could raise blood pressure. so people with hypertension should be aware of that.  I am being treated for high blood pressure so it looks like I might need to either switch the timing of when I take the Pine Bark or quit it altogther.

---

@JeanLouiseFinch , have you tried drinking hibiscus tea? 

Dr. Oz, who is a cardiologist, has recommended drinking hibiscus tea on a number of his shows. On several occasions, he's also had very prominent cardiologists on his show who also recommended it. They each said, that according to studies, drinking hibiscus tea was just as effective as taking blood pressure medication (but it didn't have any of the Rx side effects). There's no contraindication against using both at the same time either and they work in different ways. 

To a person, every single one of these doctors also said do NOT go off your blood pressure medication just because you have started drinking hibiscus tea: This is a conversation to have between you and your doctor.

Over time, hibiscus tea can increase the amount of nitric oxide in the body which allows for increased blood vessel dilation. I know that there are other foods which do this (e.g. watermelon and horseradish), but hibiscus tea seems to be particularly effective.

A major issue with high blood pressure is the tightening of the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. So the increased dilation of blood vessels be of real value. 

Even though my blood pressure is in the normal range, after listening to these esteemed doctors, I added hibiscus tea to my daily routine because you don't have to have high blood pressure to have a heart attack. So I'm just hedging my bets.

-- bebe  

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Thanks bebe!  I wouldn't mind a cup of hibiscus tea during the day.  Is that what you take, a cup a day?  Or do have more than that?  Did the doctors make a recommendation?  My medication is a simple water pill.  No, I won't go off it, but adding the tea certainly wouldn't hurt.

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@JeanLouiseFinch, none of the cardiologists or Dr. Oz gave any recommendations.

Since there''s no down side to more, I tend to make up a half gallon and drink it cold (though not in one day *s*). I add stevia because I like a sweeter taste and I add white tea to get the ECGC (epigallonchatechingallate) white/green tea benefits. White tea doesn't really have any taste. It basically takes on the taste of whatever it's mixed with. 

I start out with one cup of hot hisiscus tea for breakfast and then just drink it along with several other teas during the day. 

-- bebe