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Pycnogenol and Alternative Treatments

Q:

"Can you tell me about Pycnogenol and Maquelier's OPC (pine bark extract and grape seed oil extract)? I have heard many good things about these treatments but would like to know more regarding any side effects."

A:

The scientific literature shows that neither of the products you list helps individuals with ADHD. Manufacturer trying to sell the products provide the only literature available suggesting that they work. I discourage you from considering either. If you want a summary of the literature on these proposed alternative therapies, you might read the chapter on such therapies in my book (either The Misunderstood Child or Dr. Larry Silver's Advice to Parents on ADHD).

Larry Silver, M.D., is the author of Dr. Larry Silver's Advice to Parents on AD/HD and The Misunderstood Child: Understanding and Coping with Your Child's Learning Disabilities. He is also a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

2 Comments:

  • Posted by TrevsMom - Mar 5 2008 @ 4:02 AM
    Pycnogenol
    No disrespect to the Doctor on duty, but I have to say my 10 yr old son is taking this at 30mg daily as recommended by his nutritionist, and is working for him. We are mainstreaming him back in to regular curriculum from an "ER" class.. If stress in general zapps antioxidants in the body, then why not replenish it?
  • Posted by kmom - Feb 14 2008 @ 5:38 PM
    Pycnogenol
    I know this guy is a Dr and everything, but pycnogenol changed my family completely. Pycnogenol was recommeded to us by a dietician from NYU for my son's ADHD symptoms. He takes, as recommeded in the study released in September 07, 10 mgs per kilo. They told us to give it two weeks to see if we saw a difference. I couldnt' believe it. He was a totally different kid. He was already on Concerta and while that helped there was still some impulsiveness and hyper episodes. Two weeks later, he was so calm and happy. I had a totally different person. The one I knew was in there, but didn't have a chance to get out. NYU is recommending it and we found it to work. I don't care what Dr's say if the anti-oxident nature of this extract works, and it can't hurt your child, why not give it a try?
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