Dear Dr. Gupta, when will you if ever, do a show that discusses, proves/disproves the

[HysteryDiagnosis]

following, especially since you seem to be so interested in prevention over treatment tonight.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19083426
Nutr Res. 2008 May;28(5):315-20.
Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes by Pycnogenol supplementation.
Zibadi S, Rohdewald PJ, Park D, Watson RR.
Source

Nutritional Sciences Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Abstract

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at considerable risk of excessive morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the clinical effectiveness of Pycnogenol, a flavonoid-rich dietary supplement, in reducing antihypertensive medication use and CVD risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Forty-eight individuals were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with parallel-group design. Patients were diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes and mild to moderate hypertension and were undergoing treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either Pycnogenol pill (125 mg daily) or matched placebo for 12 weeks. According to the values of blood pressure (BP) measured at 2-week intervals, the pretrial ACE inhibitor dosage was left unchanged, reduced by 50%, or brought back to the pretrial dosage until a stable BP was obtained. Fasting plasma glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum endothelin-1, and urinary albumin were evaluated monthly.

Pycnogenol treatment achieved BP control in 58.3% of subjects at the end of the 12 weeks with 50% reduction in individual pretrial dose of ACE-inhibitors (P <.05). Plasma endothelin-1 decreased by 3.9 pg/mL in Pycnogenol-treated group vs 0.5 pg/mL increase in control group (P < .001). Mean HbA1c dropped by 0.8% in Pycnogenol-treated group (P < .05), whereas it decreased by 0.1% in control group.

Fasting plasma glucose declined by 23.7 mg/dL in Pycnogenol-treated group vs 5.7 mg/dL in control group (P < .0001). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol improved significantly in Pycnogenol-treated group, declining by 12.7 mg/dL (P < .001).

A significant decrease in urinary albumin level was observed at week 8 compared with the control group (P < .05). However, this reduction was not significant at 12th week. After 12 weeks of supplementation, Pycnogenol resulted in improved diabetes control, lowered CVD risk factors, and reduced antihypertensive medicine use vs controls.

PMID:
19083426



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20863205
Effects of omega-3 on lipid profile and inflammation markers in peritoneal dialysis patients.
Hassan KS, Hassan SK, Hijazi EG, Khazim KO.
Source

Peritoneal Dialysis Unit, Western Galilee Hospital, Naharyia, Israel. [e-mail]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:

Cardiovascular complications are the main cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients generally have a more atherogenic serum lipid profile. Although statins are the cornerstone of lipid-lowering therapy, there is an important role of fibrates in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. Fibrates increased the risk of rhabdomyolysis. ESRD patients are at risk for inadequate omega-3 intake as a result of renal dietary recommendations. In the general population omega-3 fatty acids play an important modulatory role in lipid regulation, immune and inflammatory responses, progression of arteriosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Aim: To evaluate the effect of oral omega-3 administration on plasma lipid levels and inflammatory markers in PD patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Fifteen adult and stable PD patients who did not receive omega-3 or fibrates treatment before were included in the study. All subjects followed the usual dialysis diet and regimen and continued with the same cholesterol-lowering statins. The patients were treated with daily oral 2.4 g docosahexaenoic acid and 1 g eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation in three divided doses with meals for 8 weeks. Triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, and inflammation markers were evaluated before the administration of omega-3 and at 8 weeks.
RESULTS:

Triglyceride levels were decreased significantly (p = 0.001). Total, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were not affected. ESR, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, 4-hydroxynonenal, and malondialdehyde levels reduced insignificantly.
CONCLUSIONS:

This short-term pilot study demonstrated the efficacy, safety, and well tolerability of omega-3 in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in PD patients.

PMID:
20863205

[handmade34]

1. personal experience

informs me of the validity of these things... drug companies will fight them unless there is money to be made... the health of the population is only a priority when a profit is pending

(so cynical of me)

[lunasun]

2. Not cynical at all- Big Pharma has made sure medical field will be

ignoring what cant be patent protected or profitable even if it cures

[provis99]

5. this stuff can be patented. Or at least, the particular formulation can.

[trotsky]

7. Do supplement companies make money?

Or do they give their product away?

[jwirr]

3. Okay, simple English please?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Simply put, there is mention of the mediterranean (sp) diet being able to prevent

or even revert cardiovascular disease. In a nation rife with popeye's chicken joints, pizza places, BK, McDonalds, Arby's, and others I just don't see this happening on a large scale, but there are supplements that can mimick a person "changing their diet" by adding to it key elements that have tremendously powerful effects on systemic inflammation including arterial inflammation.

I didn't watch all of it but I didn't hear anything about C reactive protein, homocysteine, reactive oxygen species, liproprotein A or the like. These blood markers are possibly more important than ldl numbers and those are the ones certain supplements can help to lower. It's not rocket science but they try to make it out to be such.

[jwirr]

8. Thank you. I take fish oil along with my diabetes meds and so far

so good. Only know for sure in the future.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

4. the docs prefer drugs over vitamins or other supplements.