Let us discuss them in detail below. Pine bark extract offers some amazing benefits since its so high in powerful antioxidants. A study of 66 healthy adults found that Pycnogenol may reduce the number of leg cramps experienced [11]. Researchers suggest that it may have stronger benefits than elastic compression stockings. ", American Heart Association: Understanding Blood Pressure Readings., Iranian Journal of Public Health: "Effect of Pycnogenol Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, luteolin is being researched as a potential complementary treatment for multiple . A randomized clinical trial of 30 people found that Pycnogenol (150 mg/day) may help heal vein ulcers from surgery and reduce swelling after 3 months of treatment [25]. The women taking Pycnogenol also experienced improvement in fatigue, sleep, concentration, memory, dizziness, and mood, including less irritability. However, it's always a good idea to start with a low dose so you can monitor how your body responds. If you are thinking of taking Pycnogenol for a serious health condition like asthma or high blood pressure, check with your doctor., People who have autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis or lupus should talk to their doctor before trying Pycnogenol. This article explains which supplements are believed to be safe during pregnancy and which ones you should avoid. Ask your doctor for advice. Thirty patients with diabetic ulcers were treated with 150 mg Pycnogenol daily for four weeks and another group of 30 comparable patients received no treatment. The combination of L-arginine and Pycnogenol may help in erectile dysfunction by boosting nitric oxide, which potentially could improve blood flow in men [66]. 40 years of research has been dedicated to establishing the safety of Pycnogenol and its benefits for human health. Consequently, blood pressure is lowered. It comes from the bark of a European pine tree. According to research, Pycnogenol may have a multitude of health benefits, which are likely due to this extracts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Pycnogenol can help control blood pressure, which helps improve overall heart health. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Pycnogenol significantly improved the heavy feeling as well as the swelling. Pycnogenol acts as a sustained-release formulation. Researchers suggest that it may have stronger benefits than elastic compression stockings. Pine bark extract is composed of 80% to 85% proanthocyanidins, the monomers catechin and taxifolin (5%), and phenolic acids, including derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids (2% to 4%). Pycnogenol is the registered trademark brand name of French maritime pine bark extract. Add to Cart. In the study, women taking Pycnogenol were more satisfied and compliant to the regimen [24]. Helps Treat Erectile Dysfunction. Optimal doses of pycnogenol have not been set for any condition. (11, 12), While both eliminate pain, the pine bark extract is a far better choice. Pine bark extract can help reduce muscle soreness and may help improve conditions relating to poor circulation, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, diabetes, ADHD, female reproductive issues, skin, erectile dysfunction, eye disease and sports stamina. Researchers suggest it may boost sustained attention, memory, executive functions, mood, and reduce oxidative stress [19]. This condition can be temporary or permanent however, some studies have indicated that pine bark extract may help alleviate these symptoms due to its high presence of antioxidants. Pycnogenol has been shown to help relieve the pain associated with osteoarthritis by keeping blood chemicals from attacking the cartilage. Another 2006 study examined the effects of the antioxidant activity of pine bark extract on oxidative stress, which is thought to be one of the nongenetic factors contributing to ADHD. (2013). We don't yet know what the best dose to use is, but studies have used two 50 mg Pycnogenol capsules per day. For children with ADHD, research suggests that symptoms start to return after about a month without taking maritime pine, so taking periodic breaks shouldnt make it any less effective. Research indicates that Pycnogenol provides an increase in survival performance of train athletes. It had the best results when combined with compression stockings, but worked just as well alone [28]. One study involved a four-week treatment period followed by one week of no treatment or observation period. Low-dose Pycnogenol (30 mg/day) may reduce pain in pregnant women, particularly hip, joint, lower back, groin, and calf cramps in the third trimester [71]. (2012). In contrast, bleeding still occurred in the control group [61]. In a study of 77 people with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pycnogenol (150 mg/day) improved symptoms and reduced the frequency of attacks [77]. (8). Lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The usual recommended duration of treatment for topical application is 7 days for Pycnogenol cream and 6 weeks for Pycnogenol powder. A study of 32 people with heart failure lasting 12 weeks suggests that a combination of Pycnogenol with CoQ10 (PycnoQ10) may improve blood pressure, heart function, edema, and capacity for physical activity [40]. ", Journal of Medicinal Food: "Review on Sustained Relief of Osteoarthritis Symptoms with a Proprietary Extract from Pine Bark, Pycnogenol. Researchers suggest that Pycnogenol may reduce cough, night-awakenings, improve airway flow, and the need for additional asthma medication [16]. In 1534, a French ship led by the famous explorer Jacques Cartier became stranded in ice near Quebec, Canada. In a good-quality study, 24 adults aged 24 to 53 years old with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were given Pycnogenol, placebo, or the standard drug for three weeks. A trial of 86 people with eye damage from diabetes found that antioxidant therapy (including pycnogenol, vitamin E, and Coenzyme Q10) may improve eye health and reduce reactive oxygen species levels [35]. However, healthy people are not immune and can also develop mild infections, in particular after being in improperly chlorinated hot tubs or swimming pools. Learn more. Staves Off Infections. This ensures that there is a healthy flow of blood to and from the heart. Since components of Pycnogenol can be modified during digestion and absorption as well as by the liver, diseases that affect the gut or liver may increase or decrease its effects [84]. Headaches. Blood pressure is an important measure of how much blood is pumping from your heart to the rest of your body. Pycnogenol is officially extracted from the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), which grows in the southwest coast of France. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using pycnogenol supplements. Natural Factors Pycnogenol 100mg 30 Veggie Caps. The staff there can often answer any questions you have and give you more information about specific brands. A clinically studied blend of Pycnogenol and a special bilberry extract (called Mirtogenol ) has been shown to provide benefits for vision and eye health. Note that each number in parentheses [1, 2, 3, etc.] There havent been any studies looking at long-term liver damage. Pine bark extract contains active ingredients that can also be found in peanut skin, grape seed, and witch hazel bark. $109.99. Forty patients were treated with either 600 mg chestnut seed extract a day or 360 mg Pycnogenol a day over a period of four weeks. Make sure to seek out the advice of your physician prior to using pine bark extract or the branded name, Pycnogenol. Our science team is put through the strictest vetting process in the health industry and we often reject applicants who have written articles for many of the largest health websites that are deemed trustworthy. If you knew you could resolve your erectile dysfunction and, therefore, naturally remedy impotence issues, wouldnt you? Theres evidence that Pycnogenol may be a promising nootropic for various groups of people, including middle-aged professionals, students, and people with mild cognitive decline like brain fog. Information is shared for educational purposes only. It is chronic venous insufficiency, a common disease among people who are obese or elderly and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Pycnogenol (up to 200 mg/day) may improve asthma and reduce inflammatory asthma markers in the blood, leukotrienes, after 4 weeks, according to a randomized placebo-controlled trial of 26 asthma patients [14]. Blazs G, et al. Remember to speak with a doctor before taking Pycnogenol. Researchers from the study suggest that low Pycnogenol dosage and short study duration may explain the lack of benefits [44]. According to researchers, it may help prevent the rise in free radicals typically seen after exercise, which could cause muscle fatigue and damage [9]. Rakel, D. Integrative Medicine, 3rd edition, Saunders, 2012. These wounds occur most frequently in hospitals or in those with weakened immune systems, such as after surgery. In this study, 155 peri-menopausal women were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Pine bark extract has been studied with regard to its ability to help diabetic patients. As a skin cream, its safe to use for about seven days. Organika Pycnogenol 50mg 50 Tablets . You can gradually increase how much you take once you get a better idea of how your body reacts to it. Some research suggests that procyanidins may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, some of these other pine bark extracts can have different active compounds, which may affect their biological activity. A study of 147 people found that pycnogenol (100 mg/day) may improve running, push-ups, and sit-ups endurance in recreational athletes over an 8-week training program. They were given Pycnogenolfor a period of 10 days. A 2015 review indicates that pine bark extract can be used to treat metabolic syndrome and related disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Too much pressure signals that your heart might be working too hard. There are also several other natural ADHD remedies you can try. This includes supporting healthy blood circulation, acting as a natural anti-inflammatory, helping to generate collagen and hyaluronic acid for improved skin health and aiding in the production of endothelial nitric oxide which helps to dilate blood . In contrast, almost 20% of the participants on inhalers alone had to increase their dosage. Chewing gum with Pycnogenol (2.5 mg/piece) for 4 weeks reduced bad breath and mouth bacteria in a trial of 22 people [57]. Study participants took pine bark extract as a supplement, and it was found to be most effective in women who started out with dry skin. Cigarette smoking increases platelet aggregation. The following purported benefits of Pycnogenol are only supported by limited, low-quality clinical studies. Placebo capsules were given to control subjects at the same times. Ana spent years working with patients who suffer from various mental health issues and chronic health problems. Theres some evidence that Pycnogenol acts similar to a sustained-release formulation. Help your body fight the effects of normal aging. High levels of both of these are considered risk factors for heart disease. However, research on these two groups is limited [71, 15]. First and foremost, start eating an anti-inflammatory Local Raw Honey (Bee Pollen) Considering how good it tastes, having some raw honey Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) You can now find high-quality apple cider vinegar in . Prenatal nutrition can be confusing. Purity and potency of Pycnogenolare continuously monitored . Eighty-six patients were treated either with Pycnogenol at 150 mg or 300 mg daily or the drugs diosmin and hesperidin (Daflon)at 1,000 mg daily for two months. It also may help regenerate and maintain vitamin C and E levels while also potentially increasing nitric oxide levels, which may relax and protect blood vessels [1]. Enzogenol, a slightly different pine bark extract, improved cognitive function in a clinical trial of 42 older men after 5 weeks of supplementation [23]. The flesh of the grape contains approximately 1/20th-1/100th of the total antioxidant capacity of the seed or the skin. Pycnogenol is known under different names in some countries, such as Oligopin, and Flavangenol in Japan [4, 5]. Fundukian, L.J. It may cause side effects such as: Risks. Lutein uses and benefits include helping prevent eye conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts, skin disorders and skin cancer, several types of cancer, including colon or breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. 2. We avoid using tertiary references. A new peer-reviewed study, published in the Bratislava Medical Journal, shows that daily supplementation with the natural antioxidant, Pycnogenol, a French maritime pine bark extract, can improve the symptoms of ED.. Most have similar amounts of active substances and are often sold under the brand name Pycnogenol [6]. . Possible side effects . New studies show Pycnogenol can prevent or reverse the oxidative damage that produces blood vessel disease 4, metabolic syndrome 20, diabetes 20,24, and neurodegenerative disorders 23,24. Upset stomach. A popular variety is the pinus maritime or the maritime pine that grows exclusively along the coast of southwest France. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Pycnogenol completely normalized function. Pycnogenol may help with other conditions as well. Blood pressure is an important measure of how much blood is pumping from your heart to the rest of your body . According to the National Institutes of Health, its safe for adults to take 50 to 450 milligrams of pine bark extract daily for up to one year. Pycnogenol-treated patients reported significant improvement with knee pain, as compared to the placebo group. In another trial, a combination supplement (Pycnogenol 60 mg/day, L-arginine 690 mg/day and aspartic acid 552 mg/day) improved erectile dysfunction and sexual satisfaction in men after 8 weeks. Boost gastrointestinal health. According to some researchers, when you take Pycnogenol [8]: Research suggests that Pycnogenol may protect cells in the body against oxidative stress. ", Mayo Clinic: High blood pressure (hypertension)., Panminerva Medica: "Pycnogenol improvements in asthma management. But, as you know, going for the natural approach can make a huge difference in overall health. Here are the many health benefits believed to be possible with Pycnogenol: Reduces "leaky" blood vessels by making the wall proteins (collagen, elastin) more resistant to damage. Its best to check with your doctor about the dosage, based on the symptoms you have and other possible conditions, prior to taking either pine bark extract or Pycnogenol. It has been studied for its effects on everything from mental function to treating high blood pressure. Studies were conducted in Turkey on subjects who underwent abdominal surgery to determine if the pine bark extract could help reduce the inflammation. Pycnogenol health benefits. If you choose to use Pycnogenol, follow the dosage instructions on the label. Pycnogenol treatment reduced the need for painkillers by 58% versus one percent in the placebo-treated group. But a month after pycnogenol was stopped, the symptoms came back, suggesting that it may need to be used regularly to achieve the benefits [41]. The Best Supplements for Healthy Digestion, How to Get the Protective Power of Vitamin K. Here are some basic guidelines as reported by WebMD: While most studies do not indicate major side effects, pine bark extract may cause irritability and fatigue, and could interact with other drugs. The first studied group included 66 healthy subjects in whom the number of muscle cramps was recorded two weeks before entering the study and during the fourth and fifth week. It may cause side effects such as: Dizziness. Furthermore, when CHS was suppressed by 71% with exogenous treatment with cis-urocanic acid, the putative epidermal mediator of photoimmunosuppression, 0.2% Pycnogenol lotion reduced the immunosuppression to 18%. Various studies, referenced at uofmhealth.org, have shown that a daily dosage of Pycnogenol . This key chemical, proanthocyanidin, is also found in high concentrations in apples, cranberries, coca, grapes, and red wine. Another study of 47 women found that supplementing with 30 mg Pycnogenol twice daily for over 1 month may reduce menstrual pain [73]. In one study, 200 mg a day of Pycnogenol taken three hours prior to the first cigarette for the day for two months significantly reduced cigarette-induced platelet aggregation. ( 1) 2. However, a study of 24 adults with ADHD found that pycnogenol did not improve ADHD symptoms better than placebo. Regardless of what youre using it for, its best to start with the lowest possible dose. A 2017 review reported on the many benefits of using pine bark extract to reduce the effects of aging on skin. Normalization of cardiovascular risk factors in peri-menopausal women with Pycnogenol [Abstract]. The same ingredient can be found in grapeseed oil, the skin of peanuts and witch hazel bark. whole-body health. nausea. The treatment was four 50 mg capsules of Pycnogenol. Pycnogenol has several benefits to your health and beauty. Studies have shown that the tree bark can help decrease common symptoms including hot flashes, mood swings, irregular periods, and others. Vinpocetine is a well-known substance in the health-hacking community with a variety of claimed health benefits. In a small/preliminary study of kids with asthma, pycnogenol helped improve symptoms. DOI: Gulati OP. A systematic review of 14 studies found that Pycnogenol gum or mouthwashes may reduce dental plaque, but the quality of evidence is low [58, 59]. People who use the supplement along with their traditional medication usually take smaller doses than those who only take the supplement.