Pine bark 'counteracts' hypertension-inflicted kidney damage
Diet and nutrition is an important consideration for individuals suffering from kidney disease and high blood pressure, and help may be at hand thanks to the results of a new study.Findings published in this month's edition of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics has revealed that a plant extract can counteract hypertension-inflicted kidney damage.
Pynogenol, which comes from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, is able to boost blood flow and lower the number of urinary proteins, scientists discovered.
Lead researcher Dr Gianni Belcaro explained that kidney disease is a "common problem" for people suffering from hypertension.
"There are no warning signals and inefficient fluid removal may further increase the blood pressure, causing a vicious circle to set in," he said.
"The results of this study demonstrated Pycnogenol's ability not only to reduce blood pressure, but also to relieve the kidney damage caused by chronic hypertension."
Approximately ten million people in the UK have hypertension, which is about one on five of the population.
