Chronic kidney disease Integrative Medicine options:
Chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and pycnogenol:
Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, may be helpful to those suffering from metabolic syndrome. Study participants (n=58) were split into two groups. Both groups were being treated with Ramipril (5mg twice daily), an anti-hypertensive medication, and were instructed to follow a healthier lifestyle. One group was given Pycnogenol (50 mg 3 times/day) in addition to ramipril. Results show that Pycnogenol plus Ramipril significantly further lowered blood pressure (BP) when compared to the group taking Ramipril alone. After 6 months of treatment, average BP in the Ramipril group was lowered to an almost high value of 128.2/90.2 mmHg, while the value in the group taking Pycnogenol with Ramipril reached near normal levels (122.2/85.3 mmHg). Kidney function improved in both groups. With Ramipril alone, urinary protein decreased by 22% but with the addition of Pycnogenol it decreased by 52.7%. The group taking Pycnogenol also had a lowered fasting blood glucose level, which was reduced from high values to healthy values after 6 months of treatment. Only the group taking Pycnogenol was found to significantly lost weight after 6 months from average BMI 26.5 to 25.0. (8)