(Mar. 2, 2011) HOBOKEN, NJ The American Heart Association estimates 35 percent of adults in the U.S. suffer from metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors characterized by obesity and the simultaneous presence of heart disease risk factors with high blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids. In patients with metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure and blood glucose gradually impair kidney function, which in turn affects the organ's ability to filter waste from the body. A study published in the June 2010 issue of Panminerva Medica reveals Pycnogenol (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, demonstrates kidney health benefits in metabolic syndrome patients, with effective blood pressure control, reduced blood sugar, and further noticed lowered Body Mass Index (BMI) due to weight loss.
"Kidney damage is a common problem for people with metabolic syndrome due to the large number of cardiovascular rick factors involved. Similar to hypertension, there are no warning signs for suffering kidneys. Poor kidney function may further increase blood pressure, which in turn deteriorates the situation of the kidneys in a vicious circle" said Dr. Peter Rohdewald, a lead researcher of the study. "The results of this study demonstrate Pycnogenol's ability not only to control hypertension, but also to restore kidney function in those impacted by metabolic syndrome. Surprisingly, people taking Pycnogenol not only demonstrated lower blood glucose levels, but also significant weight loss during the six months, yielding optimistic results for managing this condition."
The controlled study carried out at the Nephrology Unit at the L'Aquila Hospital in Italy investigated 58 hypertensive patients who presented all of the criteria for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the World Health Organization: hypertension, high blood lipids, high fasting blood glucose and obesity. Furthermore, all pa
'/>"/>
| Contact: Katherine Davis kdavis@mww.com 312-546-3510 MWW Group Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Stem cell study could aid motor neurone disease research
2. NIH launches largest oil spill health study
3. University of Maryland School of Medicine study identifies genes associated with binge drinking
4. Compound useful for studying birth defects may also have anti-tumor properties
5. Experts propose global guidelines for safe use of Kava and new Australian study
6. Virginia Tech shares in grant to study effects of climate change on southern pine forests
7. New study shows marine networks can protect fish stocks
8. Rare gene glitch may hold clues for schizophrenia -- NIH-funded study
9. Study shows rapamycin reverses myocardial defects in mouse model of LEOPARD syndrome
10. New study illustrates shifting biomes in Alaska
11. NIFA announces grants to study the effects of climate change on agricultural and forest production
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |