What about all the hoopla about taking a pill made from PINE BARK EXTRACT to reduce jet lag? It all sounds just like the hype that surrounded melatonin and jet lag a few years ago. It might be a good idea for journalists to perform some due diligence regarding side effects or “contraindications” of ingesting pine bark extract as a treatment for jet lag before they fill column space with info from a press release. Really! Here are the side effects or contraindications of PINE BARK EXTRACT that no one seems to be talking about, that don’t appear on the official Web site, but that can be discovered online if you dig deep enough:
PYCNOGENOL, (Commonly misspelled as “PYCONOGENOL”) also known as Pinus maritima Mill.; Pinus pinaster Ait. Family: Pinaceae
When should I be careful taking it?
Individuals who have autoimmune conditions should not take pine bark extract due to its effects on the immune system. Some autoimmune conditions include:
• Crohn’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• Type 1 diabetes
Precautions
Not enough is known about how pine bark extract affects a developing baby to recommend its use by pregnant women. Breast-feeding women should also avoid taking pine bark extract because it may pass to the baby in breast milk. No studies of pine bark extract have been conducted in young children, so its potential effects for them are unknown.
What side effects should I watch for?
Few side effects have been reported with the use of pine bark extract. The most frequently reported side effects have been mild gastrointestinal (GI) complaints such as nausea or upset stomach.
What interactions should I watch for?
Because it can enhance immune system function, pine bark extract may interfere with the effects of drugs used to suppress the immune system after organ transplants or in other conditions. Taking pine bark extract is not recommended for individuals who take drugs such as:
• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• CellCept
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Prograf
• Rapamune
• Zenapax
Pine bark extract may interfere with the effects of corticosteroid drugs, which are used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions including arthritis, asthma, cancer, eye conditions, and skin infections. Commonly prescribed corticosteroids include:
• Beclomethasone
• Dexamethasone (Decadron)
• Hydrocortisone
• Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
• Prednisolone
• Prednisone
• Triamcinolone UL
In one laboratory study, the combination of pine bark extract and aspirin reduced the ability of blood platelets to clump together. In theory, pine bark extract could interfere with other drugs, such as clopidogel, that also decrease the stickiness of platelets. Pine bark extract should not be taken orally at the same time as an antiplatelet drug or aspirin.
No other interactions have been reported with pine bark extract. However, despite a number of studies that have been conducted in humans, its possible interactions with drugs, foods, and other dietary supplements are not understood completely. WARNING: Individuals who decide to use pine bark extract should discuss its use with a doctor or pharmacist before they begin to use it.
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how pine bark extract interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.
Source: E-Drug Digest
The Cure for Jet Lag remains the only comprehensive, drug-free, proven treatment to stop jet lag. Why won’t journalists do due diligence? Have they forgotten about the effect of coffee or tea (which are loaded with naturally occurring chemicals) on jet lag, and that kick your body clocks into an eastbound time zone or westbound time zone, depending upon what time of day you take them, AND wreak havoc with time zone changes if you don’t regulate and time your intake? How do methylated xanthines (those chemicals found in coffee and tea) work with the powerful chemicals found in PINE BARK EXTRACT? Right! No data. Nada.
Yes, I have many, many questions and concerns about servings of PINE BARK EXTRACT for seven days in a row in order to beat jet lag.
December 7th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I am embarrassed to say that I was unfamiliar with Dr. Ehret’s work, prior to reading your blog.
Your site is very informative and should be read by anybody who looks to arrive at their destination “ready to hit it” and not be bogged down with jet lag symptoms!
Erik McLaughlin, MD, MPH
Expedition/Travel Medicine/Global Health
April 9th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
It’s time to have a prohibition on prescription medications. They are very dangerous and are a gateway to even harder drugs. Persons that use ought to have their world destroyed and placed in prison. It ought to go on their permanent record so they can’t find decent employment. Then we’ll see how long it takes this hypocritical drug culture to recognize that people ought to have a freedom of option concerning their own health and wellbeing.
Note from the author Lynne W. Scanlon: Has anyone suggested that you are certifiable?