Topic: Pycnogenol for neurotransmitter balancing???
tick battler
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Member # 21113
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My 6 year old son has urinary test results (which EDS testing confirmed) showing elevated neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine.
I found an article "Urinary Neurotransmitter Analysis as a Biomarker for Psychiatric Disorders" which cited a study which found that urinary norepinephrine levels were found to be positively correlated with the degree of hyperactivity in ADHD children. When Pycnogenol (bioflavanoid from pine bark) was given to these children for a month, norepinephrine levels decreased significantly along with an improvement in ADHD symptoms. (Dvorakova et al. 2007).
I wonder if anyone has used this supplement and what your experience was? Has anyone heard of this treatment for lowering norepinephrine? Have you had success with any other products to lower epinephrine?
Also, do you think an infection such as lyme can cause neurotransmitter imbalances, even if the lyme is now gone? We think the lyme is gone but my son is still has attention and behavior issues.
Thanks,
tickbattler
Posts: 1763 | From Malvern, PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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Hubby has taken 200 or 300 mg of pycnogenol for most of the time for the last 7 or 8 years. This is on my list of top supplements. I can't say that he notices anything from this supplement specifically, but from research I do know that it is one of the best antioxidants for crossing the blood brain barrier.
Over the years hubby has had tests which show elevated lipid peroxides and that is one of the reasons I feel this supplement is essential for him. I currently use the NSI (Vitacost generic) brand.
My mom had extremely elevated blood pressure for years and developed an eye condition called cotton wool patches. My sister told her to take the pycnogenol (not sure of the dose) but it worked and her eye doc said she was the only person he had ever seen who actually reversed this condition.
I definitely think lyme and all the tickborne infections can influence neurotransmitter levels.
High dose vitamin C might also be something that could help. I would not be at all surprised if adrenal stress is not one of the underlying issues that is influencing the neurotransmitter levels.
Passionflower extract or capsules or maybe l-theanine or lemon balm would be other possibilities.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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tick battler
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Bea,
Thank you so much for your insight. I really would like to try it with my son. I have researched more and have seen it is commonly used for autism treatments.
That is amazing about your mom's eye problem. So glad it worked for her.
As a result of my son's recent neurotransmitter test results, his doctor did put him on L-theanine and a product called CalmPRT to try to address it. We checked it on the EDS machine and it tested as a good product for his problem.
What does passionflower extract do? And lemon balm? Are they calming things? The more calming things, the better...he is often running at full speed...and talking loudly.
Thanks also for your comment about adrenals...I will check his adrenal function at our next EDS testing in 5 weeks.
I wonder if Vit C would irritate his stomach...he currently has leaky gut and gastritis on and off.
Thanks so much!
tickbattler
Posts: 1763 | From Malvern, PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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Keebler
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- Pycnogenol is a wonder antioxidant. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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2roads
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Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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