Here’s an analogy that arthritis patients might appreciate.

When the house is on fire you don’t call carpenters, you call firemen. Firemen first, carpenters later.

That sound logic comes from Frank Schonlau, Ph.D. – a biochemist and medical researcher. He used the analogy to speculate on an ideal treatment for joint pain that would begin with Pycnogenol supplements.

As I’ve mentioned before, Pycnogenol is a pine bark extract with anti- inflammatory effects. Last year I told you about a study that tested those effects against a placebo in a group of 40 patients with knee osteoarthritis. After 90 days, subjects in the Pycnogenol group reduced pain by more than 40 percent, and improved physical function by more than 50 percent compared to placebo.

In other studies, Pycnogenol has been shown to enhance blood flow, relieve symptoms of menopause, and help diabetics manage blood sugar levels.

In the new study, researchers took blood samples from six healthy subjects. Samples were taken again after each subject took 150 mg of Pycnogenol for five days. Comparison of the samples showed that inflammatory enzyme production that causes joint pain was blocked after using Pycnogenol.

Based on these results, Dr. Schonlau imagined a powerhouse combination of supplements. He told NutraIngredients-USA, “It would be ideal to combine ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, which are more the ‘building block’-type of ingredients, with Pycnogenol to reduce inflammation.”

I think he actually meant that the other way around: Firemen first (Pycnogenol), then carpenters (glucosamine and chondroitin – the well- known arthritis supplements that help maintain healthy, pain-free joints).

Fish oil firemen

In the interest of full disclosure I should tell you that Dr. Schonlau has led a number of Pycnogenol studies and has a financial stake in the promotion of the extract.

Still, his idea to reduce inflammation with one supplement and maintain joint health with other supplements is exactly what was achieved in another recent study from the UK.

Researchers divided nearly 180 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis into two groups. Subjects in one group took a glucosamine supplement daily for more than six months. Subjects in the other group took glucosamine and fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Like Pycnogenol, omega-3s are excellent anti-inflammatory agents.

Results: Subjects in the combined supplement group reported less pain in the knees and hips, and less morning stiffness. And although the benefits were modest, results confirmed the logic: Firemen first, then carpenters.

Sources:

“The Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacology of Pycnogenol in Humans Involves COX-2 and 5-LOX mRNA Expression in Leukocytes” International Immunopharmacology, Published online 6/7/09, qsensei.com

“Study Pinpoints Pycnogenol’s Pain-Relieving Potential” Stephen Daniells, NutraIngredients-USA, 7/21/09, nutraingredients-usa.com

“Omega-3 Plus Glucosamine ‘Superior’ for Joint Health: Study” Stephen Daniells, NutraIngredients-USA, 11/30/09, nugraingredients-usa.com