Probiotics for Type 2 Diabetes

A study published in the British Medical Journal in 2020 showed a significant improvement in postprandial (after meal) glucose control in type 2 diabetics who took a probiotic containing the microbes Akkermansia muciniphila, Anaerobutyricum hallii, Clostridium beijerinckii, Clostridium butyricum, and Bifidobacterium infantis. The mean A1c or 3 month average glucose decreased by 0.6% over 12 weeks compared to placebo. Transient mild nausea and diarrhea occurred during the initial 3–5 days of use.

Perraudeau F, McMurdie P, Bullard J, Cheng A, Cutcliffe C, Deo A, et al. Improvements to postprandial glucose control in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter, double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a novel probiotic formulation. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. 2020;8:e001319. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001319

Pycnogenol for Ear Ringing (Tinnitus), Hearing Loss & ADHD

A 2014 study showed that Pycnogenol improved symptoms of vertigo (the room spinning around you), tinnitus (ear ringing), and hearing loss in people with inner ear issues. Pycnogenol is an extract of pine bark grown in a specific region of France. More people noticed improvement at 6 months than at 3 months vs placebo. Pycnogenol is thought to work by improving blood flow to the inner ear and it may be anti-inflammatory. Studies have also shown that Pycnogenol may reduce symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity in children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Side effects can include stomach discomfort, headache, nausea, and dizziness.

It’s important to note that vertigo is most commonly caused by misalignment of the crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear. This condition is called BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) and can often be treated with a series of head movements called the Epley maneuver.

Luzzi R, Belcaro G, Hu S, Dugall M, Hosoi M, Cacchio M, Ippolito E, Corsi M. Improvement in symptoms and cochlear flow with pycnogenol in patients with Meniere's disease and tinnitus. Minerva Med. 2014 Jun;105(3):245-54. PMID: 24988090.

Anne-Sophie Weyns, Annelies A.J. Verlaet, Annelies Breynaert, Tania Naessens, et al. Clinical Investigation of French Maritime Pine Bark Extract on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as compared to Methylphenidate and Placebo: Part 1: Efficacy in a Randomised Trial, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 97, 2022, 105246, ISSN 1756-4646, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2022.105246.

Weichmann F, Rohdewald P. Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical studies. Front Nutr. 2024 May 2;11:1389374. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1389374. PMID: 38757130; PMCID: PMC11096518.

Horse Chestnut Seed Extract for Venous Insufficiency (Varicose Veins / Spider Veins)

About 30 years ago, a major medical journal The Lancet published a clinical trial showing significant reduction in lower leg swelling with horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) vs placebo. The reduction in leg swelling with HCSE was similar to that seen in patients wearing compression stockings. Subsequent studies have also shown an improvement in leg pain and itching with HCSE. It is thought that HCSE decreases the leakage of fluid out of veins by helping seal the vein walls. There are other supplements and herbs that can help as well. Many of them can cause some stomach discomfort among other possible side effects.

Diehm C, Trampisch HJ, Lange S, Schmidt C. Comparison of leg compression stocking and oral horse-chestnut seed extract therapy in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Lancet. 1996 Feb 3;347(8997):292-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(96)90467-5. PMID: 8569363.