Rachel Shackleton

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a chronic disease costing global healthcare systems approximately US$800 billion annually. According to the WHO Global Report 2022, an estimated 830 million people are living with diabetes and complications such as kidney disease accounted for two million deaths in 202. Around 11% of cardiovascular deaths are attributed to high blood glucose. Left untreated, persistently high blood glucose can result in cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, and vision loss.
T2D is considered preventable and, in some cases, reversible by the WHO and Diabetes UK through lifestyle modification, including at least 150 minutes of exercise per week and weight loss to improve glycaemic control, supported by healthy long-term habits(2). Glucose-lowering medication or insulin therapy may be required initially to reduce risk while lifestyle changes are established under medical supervision. What alternatives are there to conventional medication?
Pycnogenol is a standardised plant-based extract from the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), native to the French coast. Medicinal use dates to Hippocrates around 400BC and later Hans Minner in 1479 for wound treatment. The standardised extract contains phenolic compounds and phenolic acids which provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and oxidative stress–reducing effects, as well as improving blood flow through enhanced endothelial function, raising the question of whether PBE could prevent or reverse T2D and/or support conventional medication in reducing risk factors.

Biography

Rachel Shackleton is the founder of Green Key Personal Development and Green Key Health. She is a business trainer, corporate health specialist, and practicing kinesiologist, herbalist, and naturopath, with more than 30 years' experience delivering leadership and development programmes for national & international organisations. Rachel specialises in leadership, customer service, communication, and workplace wellbeing. Her approach combines commercial expertise with integrative health principles, recognising that sustainable performance comes from supporting people as whole individuals rather than simply treating symptoms. As an Integrative Health Practitioner, Rachel believes lasting health and vitality are achieved by addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellbeing. She applies the same philosophy to organisations, helping businesses build healthier workplace cultures by tackling the root causes of performance and wellbeing challenges. Rachel has been featured in Thrive Global, Authority Magazine, UpJourney, and The Entrepreneur's Journey, and interviewed on UK Health Radio and My Future Business Show. She has also spoken internationally, including at the 2nd International Health Congress in Geneva (2020) and the Global Scientific Guild Conference (2025).