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All sections on pycnogenol are written by Laura Clift <LauraRuss(AT)aol.com>. Numbers in parentheses refer to the section on "Pycnogenol references". Pycnogenol, a.k.a. Revenol, is a substance that has been mentioned in misc.health.diabetes as an aid/cure for several diabetic complications. Pycnogenol is a bioflavanoid, also identified as an oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC) and a procyanidin, which is found in the bark of conifers, specifically the maritime pine (_Pinus maritima_) and the Canadian spruce (_Tsuga canadensis_) and in grape seeds. The substance was patented in the US (patent 4,698,360) in 1985 by J. Masquelier of France. Pycnogenol is sold on several web sites in addition to health food stores. The web sites are set up in a pyramid scheme with the claims of quick riches for new distributors. Most of the sales pitches rely on first-person "testimonials". Some pitches include a list of published scientific studies that, according to the pitch, support the claims of the ad. In the following sections I examine the sales claims, investigate the ad's publication list, and establish a bottom line.
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Last Update May 13 2007 @ 00:22 AM