Fatty Acids and Ulcerative Colitis
Pycnogenol® for Retinopathy
Pycnogenol®, a patented extract made from French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), may help prevent eye problems associated with diabetes, researchers report.
One of the most common complications of diabetes is retinopathy. This disease occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina (located in the back of the eye) become damaged. The retina sends visual images to the brain, where they are perceived. Because the blood vessels supply the retina with oxygen, retinopathy may result in partial or complete vision loss. As retinopathy advances, the lack of oxygen may cause abnormal new blood vessels to grow into the retina, which may further damage the retina and worsen vision loss. In fact, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among American adults.
Earlier research suggested that Pycnogenol® may help prevent or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. It has been theorized that compounds in Pycnogenol® may stick to proteins in blood vessel walls to create a sealing effect. However, results were limited by a small sample size and unclear methodology.
FATTY acid consumption may influence a person's risk of developing an inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis, researchers report. Ulcerative colitis is a persistent condition that typically causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite and weight loss. Although the cause remains unknown, researchers suspect that the disease involves a complex interaction of factors, including heredity, the immune system and diet.
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The current study included 46 patients with diabetes and early-stage retinopathy. At this stage, there is only minor leakage from blood vessels into the retina, and damage is often reversible. Blood glucose levels were well-controlled with antidiabetic medications. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 150 milligrams of Pycnogenol® or placebo daily for three months.
By the end of the study, patients in the Pycnogenol® group subjectively reported significant improvements in vision. Visual acuity, measured with the Snellen chart, improved from 14/20 at the beginning of the study to 17/20 after supplementation. Pycnogenol® treatment also led to significant improvements in retinal swelling and blood flow velocity in the retinal blood vessels.
No such beneficial effects were reported in the control group.
The authors suggest that these beneficial effects may be attributed to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and capillary-protective effects of Pycnogenol®.
Although promising, additional research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of Pycnogenol® for diabetic retinopathy.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 200,000 adults who participated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). The participants completed food frequency questionnaires and were monitored for the development of ulcerative colitis.
During an average follow-up period of four years, 126 people developed ulcerative colitis.
A diet rich in a type of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid called linoleic acid was associated with an increased risk of the disease. Linoleic acid is found in some margarines, red meat and cooking oils. The authors found that people who ate the most linoleic acid (13-38 grams daily) were 2.5 times more likely to develop ulcerative colitis than those who ate the least amount (2-8 grams daily).
The body converts linoleic acid into arachidonic acid, which may then be transformed into pro-inflammatory molecules. Elevated levels of these inflammatory molecules have been found in the colons of patients with ulcerative colitis.
In contrast, a high intake of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was linked to a lower risk of ulcerative colitis. This fatty acid is found in fatty fish (such as mackerel and herring) and fish oil supplements. People who ate the most DHA were 77 percent less likely to develop ulcerative colitis than those who ate the least amount.
However, this study is limited by its design. Additional controlled trials are needed to fully understand the potential relationship between fatty acids and ulcerative colitis.
Although there is currently no cure for ulcerative colitis, several medications, including anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants, are available to help alleviate symptoms. Various integrative therapies have also been studied as potential treatment options. For instance, good evidence suggests that various types of probiotics may help prevent relapses of ulcerative colitis.
