Pycnogenol is a patented and standardized supplement,
a flavonoid mixture consisting mainly of procyandins and phenolic acids extracted from the bark of
European coastal pine Pinus maritima. Procyanidins are biopolymers of catechin
and epicatechin subunits which are recognized as important constituents in human
nutrition. The phenolic acids are derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids. These substances are also found in
many other herbs so it is quite possible that many of its health benefits can also be
obtained from other herbs.
J. Masquelier, in France, described in 1979, "Pycnogenols is the
term put forward to designate flavan-3-ol derivatives, so as to distinguish
these substances, upon chemical and pharmacological grounds, from the
heterogeneous group of flavonoid compounds."
Pycnogenol Health
Benefit - Human studies
The benefits may extend to several conditions such as
diabetes,
diabetic retinopathy,
and diabetic blood vessel health, impotence, menopausal symptoms,
asthma, osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain),
reduction of thrombophlebitis during long flights, and
hypertension. This
nutritional product can help with blood thinning and blood vessel dilation
through actions on the nitric oxide system. It has antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory benefits.
Pycnogenol seems to have good research supporting its benefits, but then again there are hundreds or thousands of beneficial substances in various fruits, vegetables, roots, barks, herbs, etc. For instance resveratrol and curcumin, EGCG from green tea. We certainly can't take all of these supplements every day! For the time being, I think it is safe to take Pycnogenol 25 mg or 50 once or twice a week with breakfast. I prefer alternating several supplements rather than taking the same ones every day.
Anti-inflammatory, reduce inflammation
Pycnogenol exerts
effects by inhibition of eicosanoid generating enzymes which is consistent with
reported clinical anti-inflammatory and platelet inhibitory effects in vivo.
Anti-oxidant benefit
Minerva Med. 2013. A controlled study shows daily intake of 50 mg of French
Pine Bark Extract Pycnogenol lowers plasma reactive oxygen metabolites in
healthy smokers.
Arthritis,
osteoarthritis, joint pain
There are several supplements that have been shown to be helpful for
arthritis, including
glucosamine and chondroitin. Joint Power
Rx contains a number of beneficial nutrients including glucosamine,
chondroitin, CMO, MSM, boswellia extract, and others. Many
people who have arthritis already take natural supplements for joint
health support. Would the addition of Pycnogenol or another type of pine
bark extract provide added benefits?
There are no easy answers at this time. If your doctor
approves, you could add Pycnogenol to your daily regimen. The dosage used
in a study was 150 mg a day. This may be an appropriate dosage in the
beginning, but for long term use you may consider a maintenance dosage of 30 or 60
mg a day. Just keep in mind that we don't know the effects of Pycnogenol
supplement use if taken for many years, or how this product interacts with
other supplements or medications, including NSAIDs such as aspirin,
naproxen or ibuprofen.
Treatment of osteoarthritis with Pycnogenol. The
SVOS (San Valentino Osteo-arthrosis Study). Evaluation of signs, symptoms,
physical performance and vascular aspects.
Phytother Research. 2008.
The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the
efficacy of 100 mg Pycnogenol oral capsules in a 3 month study in
patients with osteoarthritis. The global WOMAC score decreased by 56% in
the treatment group versus 9% in the placebo group. The use of drugs
decreased by 58% in the treatment group versus 1% under placebo.
Gastrointestinal complications decreased by 63% in the treatment group,
but only 3% under placebo. Foot edema decreased in 79% of Pycnogenol patients vs 1% in controls.
An inflammation-fighting plant extract may
offer some pain relief to people with mild knee
arthritis, a new study
suggests.
The study included 100 Slovakian adults with mild knee
arthritis who were randomly assigned to take either 150 milligrams of pine
bark extract or a placebo every day for three months. According to Dr.
Peter Rohdewald, of the University of Munster in Germany, knee arthritis
patients who took Pycnogenol pine bark extract for three months reported
an improvement in their pain, while those given a placebo had no
improvement.
Switzerland-based Horphag Research Ltd., maker of
Pycnogenol, funded the study.
Phytotherapy Research, 2008.
Asthma
Pycnogenol improvements in asthma management.
Panminerva Med. 2011.
Pycnogenol inhibits expression of 5-lipoxygenase and consequently decreases
leukotriene levels in asthmatic patients. This study evaluated its efficacy
during a period of six months for improving allergic (mite in house dust) asthma
management in patients with stable, controlled conditions. it was used at a
daily dosage of 100 mg, distributed as 50 mg in the morning at 9 am and again in
the evening at 9 pm). Administration was effective for better control of signs
and symptoms of allergic asthma
and reduced the need for medication.
Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of childhood asthma.
J Asthma. 2004.
Department of Biochemistry and
Microbiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study involving 60 subjects, aged
6-18 years old, was conducted over a period of 3 months to determine the effect on mild-to-moderate asthma. Compared with subjects taking
placebo, the group who took Pycnogenol had significantly more improvement in
pulmonary functions and asthma symptoms and was able to reduce
or discontinue their use of rescue inhalers more often than the placebo group.
Athletics, physical training, endurance, sports
performance
J Sports Med Phys Fitness. Dec 2013. Evaluation of the effects of
supplementation with Pycnogenol on fitness in normal subjects with the Army
Physical Fitness Test and in performances of athletes in the 100-minute
triathlon. This study opens an interesting new application of the natural
supplementation with Pycnogenol that, with proper hydration, good training and
nutritional attention may improve training and performances both in normal
subjects and in semi-professional athletes performing at high levels in
difficult, high-stress sports such as the triathlon.
Brain function
Supplementation could improve cognitive function, attention and mental
performance.
Cholesterol and plasma lipids
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. December 2013. A Systematic Review and
Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Pycnogenol on Plasma Lipids. Current clinical
evidence does not suggest any significant effect of Pycnogenol on fasting lipid
profile.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
J Ethnopharmacol. 2016. A standardized bark extract of Pinus pinaster Aiton (Pycnogenol)
attenuated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease via Erk-sp1 signaling pathway.
This study evaluates the ability to inhibit chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) in the cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-stimulated human airway
epithelial cell line NCI-H292 and in a cigarette smoke (CS) and
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model and finds Pycnogenol to be of
potential benefit.
Diabetes and blood sugar problems
Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in
patients with diabetes type II.
Life Sci. 2004.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multi-center study was performed
with 77 diabetes type II patients to investigate anti-diabetic effects. Supplementation with 100 mg Pycnogenol for 12 weeks, during which a standard anti-diabetic treatment was
continued, significantly lowered plasma glucose levels as compared to placebo.
HbA1(c) was also lowered; however, the difference as compared to placebo was
statistically significant only for the first month. In the Pycnogenol-group
endothelin-1 was significantly decreased, while 6-ketoprostaglandin F(1a) in
plasma was elevated compared to placebo. Nitric oxide levels in plasma increased
during treatment in both groups, but, differences did not reach statistical
significance. Pycnogenol was well-tolerated with ECG, electrolytes, creatinine
and blood urea nitrogen remaining unchanged in both groups. Mild and transient
unwanted effects were reported for both groups without significant differences.
Supplementation of Pycnogenol to conventional diabetes treatment lowers glucose
levels and improves endothelial function.
Diabetic microangiopathy
Improvement of diabetic microangiopathy with Pycnogenol: A
prospective, controlled study.
Angiology. 2006.
This study
confirms its clinical efficacy in patients with diabetic
microangiopathy.
Pycnogenol for diabetic retinopathy. A review.
Int Ophthalmol. 2001.
Diabetic retinopathy is
characterised by vascular lesions with exudate deposits and hemorrhages causing
vision loss. Pycnogenol has been tested for treatment and prevention of retinopathy in five
clinical trials with a total number of 1289 patients since the late 1960's. All
of these studies unequivocally showed that it retains progression of retinopathy
and partly recovers visual acuity. Treatment was shown to
improve capillary resistance and reduce leakages into the retina.
Dysmehorrhea
Analgesic efficacy of French maritime pine bark extract in dysmenorrhea:
an open clinical trial.
J Reprod Med. 2004.
47 patients with menstrual pain, aged 21-45 years, were given Pycnogenol at 30 mg (2
capsules) orally twice a day. Administration began on the
eighth day of the first menstrual cycle and continued until the seventh day of
the third menstrual cyclet. Treatment lowered the
pain scores for abdominal pain. Pain relief in the second cycle of treatment was better as
compared to the first cycle of treatment.
Endometriosis
A report in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine reveals that Pycnogenol reduces symptoms of endometriosis. The study, held at
Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Ishokawa, Japan, sampled 58 women
ages 21-38 who underwent operations for endometriosis within six months
prior to the study. Patients were
randomized to two groups: Pycnogenol and Gn-RHa. Patients who
supplemented with Pycnogenol took 30 mg capsules orally twice daily for 48
weeks immediately after morning and evening meals. Patients who received
the Gn-RHa therapy received injected leuprorelin acetate depot, 3.75 mg
intracutaneously, six times every four weeks for 24 weeks. (Leuprorelin
treatment completely blocks estrogen in the body and must be discontinued
after 24 weeks because of side effects). After four weeks, supplementation
with P slowly
reduced all symptoms from severe to moderate. Treatment with Gn-RHa
reduced the scores more efficiently but after 24 weeks post-treatment a
relapse of symptoms occurred. Gn-RHa suppressed menstruation during
treatment, whereas no influence on menstrual cycles was observed in the
Pycnogenol group. "In addition, five women in the trial
taking it actually got pregnant," Dr. Takafumi Kohama, a lead
researcher of the study said.
Heart disease, hardening of the arteries
Minerva Cardioangiol. 2015. Pycnogenol and Centella Asiatica for preventing
asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression into clinical events. The aim of the
study was to evaluate the effect of the nutritional supplements Pycnogenol and
gotu kola on atherosclerosis progression in low-risk, asymptomatic subjects with
carotid or femoral stenosing plaques. The study included subjects aged 45-60
with stenosing atherosclerotic plaques (>50- 60%) in at least one carotid or
common femoral bifurcation. Subjects were allocated into 3 groups: Group 1
(controls): management was based on education, exercise, diet and lifestyle
changes. This same management plan was used in all other groups; Group 2 used
Pycnogenol (100 mg/day); Group 3 used Pycnogenol 100 mg/day plus CA, 100 mg/day.
The follow-up lasted 4 years. Plaque progression was assessed using the
ultrasonic arterial score based on arterial wall morphology, considering plaque
characteristics and the number of subjects that had cardiovascular events.
Oxidative stress was also evaluated. Pycnogenol and the combination Pycnogenol
and gotu kola reduce the progression of arterial plaques and the progression to
clinical stages. The reduction in plaques and clinical progression was
associated with a reduction in oxidative stress.
Eur Heart J. 2012. Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Improvement was noted.
Int Angiol. Feb 2014. Pycnogenol and Centella Asiatica for asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression. Pycnogenol and the combination appear to reduce the progression of subclinical arterial lesions in low-risk asymptomatic subjects. The reduction in plaque progression was associated with a reduction in oxidative stress. The results justify a large randomized controlled study to demonstrate the efficacy of the combined prophylactic therapy in subclinical atherosclerosis.
Hypertension
A study published in the October journal of Clinical and Applied
Thrombosis and Hemostasis shows Pycnogenol reduced edema, a side effect of
antihypertensive medications. According to Dr. Gianni Belcaro, lead
researcher of the study, some patients taking antihypertensive medications
are believed to suffer from edema as a side-effect. This happens because
the antihypertensive medications cause blood vessels to dilate, which
allows easier blood flow and thus lowers blood pressure. However, as a
side-effect this causes blood to pool in the vessels of the lower legs. Results of this study show Pycnogenol to improve blood circulation,
avoiding blood pools and reducing edema. The study sampled 53 hypertensive
patients at the G D’annunzio University in Italy. All patients suffered
from edema of their ankles and feet as a result of antihypertensive
medications and were taking medications at the same dosage for at least
four months. Twenty-three patients were being treated with ACE inhibitors
(brand names Mavik, Altace) and 30 patients were being treated with
nifedipine (calcium channel blockers) (brand names Adalat, Procardia). The
eight week study sampled 27 patients with 150 mg Pycnogenol treatment per
day versus an equivalent dosage of placebo for the remaining 26
patients. After an eight
week Pycnogenol treatment, patients treated with ACE inhibitors
experienced a 35 percent decrease of ankle swelling while patients being
treated with nifedipine experienced a 36 percent decrease of ankle
swelling.
Impotence, erectile dysfunction, sexual
enhancement
Pycnogenol enhances nitric oxide production which
leads to an improvement in blood vessel dilation and an increase in blood
flow and oxygen supply to muscles.
Clinical assessment of a supplement of Pycnogenol and L-arginine
in Japanese patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. Phytother Res.
2012.
A double-blind parallel group comparison design clinical study was conducted in
Japanese patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction to investigate the
efficacy of a supplement containing Pycnogenol and L-arginine. Subjects were
instructed to take a supplement (Pycnogenol 60 mg/day, L-arginine 690 mg/day and
aspartic acid 552 mg/day) or an identical placebo for 8 weeks. Eight weeks of
supplement intake improved the total score of the IIEF-5. In particular, a
marked improvement was observed in 'hardness of erection' and 'satisfaction with
sexual intercourse'. A decrease in blood pressure, aspartate transaminase and γ-glutamyl
transpeptidase (γ-GTP), and a slight increase in salivary testosterone were
observed in the supplement group. No adverse reactions were observed during the
study period.
Improvement of erectile function with Prelox: a randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.
Int J Impot Res. 2008 .
In a randomly allocated, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, crossover design, 50 patients with mild to moderate
erectile dysfunction (ED) were treated for 1 month with placebo or a
combination of L-arginine aspartate and Pycnogenol (Prelox). Patients
reported sexual function from diaries. Testosterone levels and
endothelial NO synthase (e-NOS) were monitored along with routine
clinical chemistry. Intake of Pycnogenol for 1 month restored erectile
function to normal. Intercourse frequency doubled. e-NOS in spermatozoa
and testosterone levels in blood increased significantly. Cholesterol
levels and blood pressure were lowered.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction with Pycnogenol and L-arginine.
J Sex Marital Ther. 2003.
We investigated the possibility of overcoming erectile dysfunction (ED) by
increasing the amounts of endogenous NO. The study included 40 men, aged 25-45 years, without confirmed
organic erectile dysfunction. Throughout the 3-month trial period, patients
received 3 ampoules Sargenor a day, a drinkable solution of the dipeptide
arginyl aspartate (equivalent to 1.7 g L-arginine per day). During the second
month, patients were additionally supplemented with 40 mg Pycnogenol two times
per day; during the third month, the daily dosage was increased to three 40-mg
Pycnogenol tablets. After 1 month of treatment with L-arginine, a
statistically nonsignificant number of 2 patients (5%) experienced a normal
erection. Treatment with a combination for the
following month increased the number of men with restored sexual ability to 80%.
Finally, after the third month of treatment, 92% of the men experienced a
normal erection.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Therapeutic efficacy of pycnogenol in experimental inflammatory bowel
diseases.
Phytother Res. 2004.
Results suggest that pycnogenol ameliorates ethanol 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic
acid TNBS-induced
inflammation by radical scavenging activity, and may have beneficial effects as
a supplement in enteral nutrition for
inflammatory
bowel disease.
Leukemia
Pycnogenol induces differentiation and apoptosis in human promyeloid
leukemia HL-60 cells.
Leuk Res. 2005.
Menopause
symptoms and perimenopause
Panminerva Med. 2011. Supplementation with Pycnogenol improves signs and
symptoms of menopausal transition.
Dr. Han-Ming Yang of Ham-Ming Hospital in Taiwan have found Pycnogenol
reduces menopause symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and vaginal dryness
when given over a period of several months. Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2007.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of
Pycnogenol on the climacteric syndrome in peri-menopausal women.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007.
Some 200 peri-menopausal women were enrolled in a
double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and treated with Pycnogenol
(200mg) daily. All menopause symptoms improved, antioxidative status
increased and LDL/HDL ratio was favourably altered. No side
effects were reported.
J Reprod Med. 2013. Effect of low-dose French maritime pine bark extract on climacteric syndrome in 170 perimenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study 170 perimenopausal women were enrolled and treated with 30 mg Pycnogenol or placebo twice daily over a period of 3 months. Compared to baseline, Pycnogenol improved all symptoms with the exception of formication sensation and abnormal perceptions and was found to be especially effective for improving vasomotor and insomnia/sleep problem symptoms.
Metabolic syndrome
Phytother Res. 2013. Pycnogenol Supplementation Improves Health Risk Factors
in Subjects with
Metabolic Syndrome.
Phytother Res. 2015. Pycnogenol in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders. The present review provides an update of the biological actions of Pycnogenol in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and related disorders such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and hypertension. Pycnogenol is a French maritime pine bark extract produced from the outer bark of Pinus pinaster. Its strong antioxidant, antiinflammatory, endothelium-dependent vasodilator activity, and also its anti-thrombotic effects make it appropriate for targeting the multifaceted pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome.
Retinal health
A study published in the 2009 Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
reveals that it can improve microcirculation, retinal edema and visual acuity in the
early stages of diabetic retinopathy. The randomized controlled study, conducted
by G D’Annunzio University in Italy, investigated a total of 46 diabetic
patients over a period of three months. The treatment group consisted of 24
patients, with 22 patients placed in a placebo treatment group. Each of the
patients had been previously diagnosed with diabetes for at least four years
prior to participating in the study and their blood glucose was well controlled
by diet and oral anti-diabetic medication. Patients had early stage retinopathy
characterized by capillaries in the eye leaking fluid into the retina causing
swellings. At this stage only minor bleedings into the retina occur and damage
to light-sensing cells may still remain largely reversible. Patients were
treated with 150 mg of Pycnogenol or placebo
tablets in the morning after breakfast over a period of three months. Following
treatment with Pycnogenol, there was visual improvement, which was subjectively
perceived by 18 out of 24 patients in the Pycnogenol group. Testing of visual
acuity using the Snellen Chart (the standard eye chart used by eye care
professionals to measure visual acuity) showed a significant improvement from
baseline 14/20 to 17/20 after two months of treatment. There were no
improvements found in the control group. The blood flow velocity in capillaries
nourishing the light sensing cells improved.
Skin elasticity and youth
Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2012. Pycnogenol effects on skin elasticity and
hydration coincide with increased gene expressions of collagen type I and
hyaluronic acid synthase in women.
Sperm health
Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2015. Improvement of seminal quality and sexual
function of men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia syndrome following
supplementation with L-arginine and Pycnogenol®. We evaluated the
effectiveness of antioxidant co-supplementation therapy using Larginine
and Pycnogenol(®) in Japanese men with oligoasthenozoospermia and mild
erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of forty-seven adult males with
oligoasthenoteratozoospermia syndrome (OAT) were eligible for
enrollment. The effectiveness of supplementation with a combination of
L-arginine 690 mg and French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol(®))
60mg for OAT and ED was investigated. The sperm concentration was
enhanced significantly after treatment 2 and 4 months. This study
suggests that the combination of Pycnogenol(®) and L-arginine (Edicare(®))
is helpful for infertile men to ameliorate simultaneously quality of
sperms as well as erectile functions.
Venous Ulcers
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the healing of
venous ulcers in three groups of 16 patients: one group received placebo
tablets, another group received Pycnogenol tablets and the final group received
both Pycnogenol tablets and local topical treatment of the wound with Pycnogenol
powder. All three groups received compression stockings to counteract swelling
and had their ulcers cleaned and disinfected. Over a six-week period, in the group treated with Pycnogenol
tablets, the ulcer size was reduced to just 11 percent of the original size -- a
major difference from the placebo group. And, the group who supplemented
with Pycnogenol and used the topical powder resulted in complete healing of the
ulcer.
The study was published in 2005 Angiology.
Pycnogenol side effects,
safety, danger
No significant Pycnogenol side effects or major risks have been reported thus far.
It is possible that high dosages could cause insomnia or sleep problems.
By thinning the blood it could cause adverse reactions in those who are
on Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin, or other medications that cause blood
thinning. At this time I do not recommend more than 30 mg a day if used
for prolonged periods.
Pycnogenol Research study
Prevention of venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in long-haul flights
with pycnogenol.
Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2004.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of deep venous
thrombosis (DVT) and superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) and its prophylaxis with
an oral anti-edema and antithrombotic agent (Pycnogenol, Horphag, Research
Management SA, Geneva, Switzerland) in long-haul flights, in subjects at
moderate to high-risk of DVT and SVT. Subjects were supplemented with
100 mg Pycnogenol per capsule. Treatment subjects received two capsules between
2 and 3 hours before flights with 250 mL of water; two capsules were taken 6
hours later with 250 mL of water and one capsule the next day. The control group
received comparable placebo at the same intervals. The flight duration was on
average 8 hours and 15 minutes. This study indicates that Pycnogenol treatment was
effective in decreasing the number of thrombotic events (DVT and SVT) in
moderate-to-high risk subjects, during long-haul flights.
French maritime pine bark extract, improves endothelial
function of hypertensive patients.
Life Sci. 2004.
Supplementation of the patients with 100 mg Pycnogenol over a period of 12 weeks helped to reduce the dose of the
calcium antagonist nifedipine in a statistically significant manner. Intake
decreased endothelin-1 concentrations significantly compared to
placebo while concentrations of 6-keto prostaglandin F1a in plasma were
significantly higher compared to placebo.
Blood thinning, blood thinner medications, Plavix,
aspirin, Coumadin, warfarin
I take a blood thinner medication once a day. I had genetic
testing and I have to take blood thinners for the rest of my life. I've had
clots in my leg and lungs twice. Are these pills going to counteract with the
blood thinner?
A. t's difficult to predict in any one individual. Much depends on
your clotting ability, the types of blood thinners you are taking, the dosage,
and other supplements used. Caution is advised since Pycnogenol may thin the
blood.
Emails
Is Pycnogenol cream effective? What conditions is
it useful in dermatology?
I haven't seen much research on Pycnogenol cream and don't yet
know what role it play in dermatology.
Q. I am interested in giving my
5 year old daughter Pycnogenol supplements, I have heard its properties may be beneficial for her
eyes with particular regard to her retinas. What strength should a five
year old take and how often? Daughter has FEVR (Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy) which she inherited, causing progressive sight loss.
Retinal detachment in left eye, with no sight, right eye severely visually
impaired. Registered Blind.
A. We have no idea what the appropriate Pycnogenol
dosage would be and also no idea whether it would help.
Q. I came an article on Pycnogenol mentioned in
Newsweek - Nov. 6, 2006 issue - "Today a French
maritime pine bark extract called Pycnogenol — a mix of antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory compounds — is a fast-growing supplement on the U.S. market,
with sales up 25 percent this year to date. Unlike most supplements, which have
very little research behind them, Pycnogenol (pic-NOJ-en-ol) has 36
double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. The strongest evidence relates to heart
health—helping to reduce unwanted clotting, lower "bad" cholesterol and bring
down mild hypertension. But the latest studies suggest benefits for diabetes,
too. Diabetic patients eventually tend to develop leaky capillaries, which can
lead to vision loss, leg ulcers and even amputation of toes or feet. A small
study in September found that 150mg of Pycnogenol a day for four weeks helped
repair blood vessels and improve capillary blood flow by 34 percent—versus 5
percent for those receiving a placebo. For general health, 25mg to 50mg a day
will do. But it won't come cheap (think $30 to $50 a bottle)." Do you think it
is safe to take 25 or 50 mg daily?
A. Pycnogenol seems to have good research supporting its benefits,
but then again there are hundreds or thousands of beneficial substances in
various fruits, vegetables, roots, barks, herbs, etc. We certainly can't take
them all. For the time being, I think it is safe to take Pycnogenol 25 mg or 50
three or four times a week with breakfast.
Q. Just want to find out from you if Prelox is natural
and safe. I don't like anything like Viagra I only take natural supplements with
no side effect like multivitamins. What ingredient is in Prelox?
A. Prelox is a combination of Pycnogenol and arginine. We have not
tested Prelox and therefore do not have first hand experience whether it is
effective or safe. There are many more herbs and plant extracts that have a
potent aphrodisiac property and we are not sure Pycnogenol falls into that
category. However, Pycnogenol could perhaps be useful in dilating blood vessels.
Q. On your website, the suggested dosage is “one tablet a few times a
week,” but on the bottle it says, “1 tablet for each 50-60 pounds of body weight
for the first week or two. Thereafter, adjust intake to 1 tablet for each
100-120 pounds of body weight.” Which is correct? Also, if I were to follow the
instructions on the bottle, and weigh 150 lbs, would 1 tablet be enough? Would 2
be too much? And would the “a few times a week” timetable still hold?
A. There are no studies that show what the ideal dosage is for
Pycnogenol supplementation. As a rule, the suggestions on a bottle tend to be on
the higher end of the dosage scale, and they are often written with the
understanding that this is the only supplement someone should be taking.
However, most people take several supplements a day, and therefore it is safer
to take less of any particular supplement when combining several. Having said
this, it also depends whether the Pycnogenol is being used as a treatment for a
particular condition, in this case the dosage would be higher or more frequent.
In summary, there is not enough science to determine the ideal dosage of
Pyconogenol and how it combines or interacts with other medicines, herbs, or
nutrients, and hence it may be better to take less rather than more.
Q. Thank you for your informative web postings. In
reading your post on Pycnogenol, I was interested in the article on Erectile
Dysfunction responding to Pycnogenol supplementation. However, I believe you
must have a typographical error. It presently says: The study included 40 men,
aged 25-45 years, without confirmed organic erectile dysfunction. but then goes
on as if these men, indeed, began the study with ED. Is it possible that it
should actually say "The study included 40 men, aged 25-45 years, WITH confirmed
organic erectile dysfunction?" just wondering, the difference could be important
to readers of fine print, and to my family among them.
A. We reviewed the actual study abstract as presented on Medline
and it did say without. IF the abstract is correct as printed, this would mean
that the patients had psychological impotence as opposed to organic or physical
impotence.
Q. I read through your website info and found your recommendation on dosing very informative
about taking it several times a week. When I contacted the manufacturers of
Pycnogenol, they insisted that the herb be taken daily. My question: since 25-50
mg is suggested, why are the Pycnogenol capsules almost always sold as 50mg? (I
dump some out).
A. There is little human research with Pycnogenol and thus we do
not know the appropriate Pycnogenol dosage for long term use. Furthermore, many
people who take a Pycnogenol supplement also take multivitamins or antioxidants
or they may take various medications. It is difficult to predict all the
potential interactions. Thus, my preference is to be on the safe side and use
low dosages until we learn more about the possible benefits and side effects of
Pycnogenol either used by itself or combined with other supplements.
Q. I am 40 and I have some brown patches on my face which
developed sometime after giving birth to my baby 4 years ago. i believe that
they are more stress related rather than hormonal as they appeared after a
nervous breakdown. I tried many topical natural and organic products, but
nothing worked. I wonder if Pycnogol cram is effective for this
hyperpigmentation on my face and if yes, how much do i need to take orally or
whether i need the topical Pycnogenol as well.
A. I am not familiar with the use of Pycnogenol cream. A search on
Medline in October 2009 did not reveal any published studies regarding the use
of Pycnogenol cream to correct pigment disorders although some web sites are
promoting topical products for this purpose.
Q. Does Pycnogenol contain any kind of estrogen, even if
plant estrogen?
A. I don't think so. It contains mostly flavonoids,
catechins, procyanidins and phenolic acids.
i am confused over the conflicting nature of two super
antioxidants, alpha lipoic acid and Pycnogenol. Whilst their function is
generally similar can i know which is more effective in improving skin tone,
acne and dilating blood vessel? Is Pycnogenol both lipid and water soluble? Is
there any side effect if i combine both together? Recently i am having
difficulty sleeping after consumption of 100mg of Pycnogenol.
These two antioxidants work in different ways. There are
countless substances that have antioxidant effects and most of them work in
different ways. I don't know the full details of the solubility of the pine bark
extract. Side effects of combinations of supplements depends on the dosage used
and each person's unique reaction.
Healthy Origins, Pycnogenol, 30 mg, 60 Veggie
Caps
buy Pycnogenol supplement 30
mg each pill
Proanthocyanidins are believed to play an important
role in maintaining good health. It is not a vitamin and does not have
hormones.
Buy Pycnogenol supplement
Supplement Facts Healthy Origins, Pycnogenol, 30 mg, 60 Veggie Caps | ||
Serving Size: 1 Vegetable Capsule | ||
Amount Per Serving | %DV | |
Pycnogenol (French Maritime Pine Bark Extract) | 30 mg | † |
† Daily Value (DV) not established |
Suggested Use, dosage, how much to take: One Pycnogenol tablet a few times a week in the morning a few minutes before breakfast, or as recommended by your health care provider.
Supplement Facts:
Composition
Proanthocyanidins
Catechin, epicatechin, and taxifolin
Phenolic acids such as ferulic, caffeic, protocatechic, p-hydroxybenzoic and
vanillic acid
Pine Bark Extract 95% Proanthocyanidins