It can also be found as creams, lotions or ointments, typically containing 0.5 percent to 2 percent pine bark extract. Another one of its exemplary effects is helping manage blood pressure levels. ( 1) 2. It also provides powerful antioxidant protection and helps inhibit inflammatory factors to support. After taking a break for one to two weeks, they can start taking it again for several weeks. Pycnogenol is the US trademarked name for an antioxidant made from Mediterranean tree bark. Jonathan Ritter, PharmD, PhD (Pharmacology), Small molecule antioxidants (phenolic acids, catechin, and taxifolin) are quickly absorbed and begin to act in the body within 30 min, The remaining more complex antioxidants (long chains of procyanidins) reach the gut, where your, The microbiome-produced active compounds appear in blood 6 h later and remain for at least 14 h, Pycnogenol is standardized to contain 70 5% procyanidins, which should be on the label, Pycnogenol standardization doesnt determine other major active compounds, which can vary. But, as you know, going for the natural approach can make a huge difference in overall health. Beta 1-3D Glucan is recognized by cells in the immune system, and can modify your immune system responses. While pine bark extract is thought to be safe for children, they should only take it for a few weeks at a time. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. According to a study of 170 women, low-dose pycnogenol (60 mg/day) may improve menopausal symptoms over 3 months, including night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia and sleep problems [69]. In a third study, 19 men with fertility problems were given 200 mg Pycnogenol daily for 90 days. Two doses of 100 mg of Pycnogenol were taken two to three hours before flights and two additional capsules taken six hours later then one capsule the next day. Various studies, referenced at uofmhealth.org, have shown that a daily dosage of Pycnogenol . 1 Anti-Aging Beverage, Daniel Fast: Benefits for Your Spiritual, Emotional and Physical Health, 15 Fermented Foods for a Healthy Gut and Overall Health, 9 Proven Black Seed Oil Benefits that Boost Your Health, L-Glutamine Benefits Leaky Gut & Metabolism, Chia Seeds Benefits: The Omega-3, Protein-Packed Superfood, Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits for Weight Loss, Skin Health, Cholesterol & More, What Is a Marionberry? Dr. Steven Lamm did a great job at explaining the new benefits of pycnogenol. DOI: Scheff SW, et al. Once youre sure that you dont have any negative reactions, you may be able to increase your dosage according to the label. There is a seemingly growing problem with skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the confusion of how to get vitamin D from the sun while avoiding these skin-damaging rays. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please leave a comment or contact us at [emailprotected]. 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. Headaches. 40 years of research has been dedicated to establishing the safety of Pycnogenol and its benefits for human health. Taking pine bark extract supports healthy blood pressure. Cigarette smoking increases platelet aggregation. What gives pine bark extract its notoriety as a powerful ingredient and super antioxidant is that its loaded with oligomeric proanthocyanidin compounds, OPCs for short. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using pycnogenol supplements. It had the best results when combined with compression stockings, but worked just as well alone [28]. Pycnogenol accelerates wound healing and reduces scar formation [Abstract]. However, some of these other pine bark extracts can have different active compounds, which may affect their biological activity. (7). It decreased concussion symptoms in 42 student-athletes with a history of sports-related concussions after 6 weeks. The supplement significantly reduced hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irregular periods, loss of libido, and vaginal dryness. A sitz bath, which involves sitting in warm water for 10 minutes, twice daily, is helpful to patients with anal itching, aching or burning and is known as one of the best ways to get rid of hemorrhoids fast. There have been a variety of health benefits linked to beta glucan, specifically with the beta-1 3d glucan form which has more biological activity than other types of polysaccharides. (2017). Helps Increase Athletic Performance. Pine bark extract can be found in liquid, tablet or capsule form containing 85 percent to 90 percent OPCs. Research indicates that Pycnogenol provides an increase in survival performance of train athletes. Pycnogenol: A miracle component in reducing ageing and skin disorders. All rights reserved. Speak with your doctor before supplementing. SelfDecode is a personalized health report service, Luckily, the Native Americans told them about a tea prepared from the bark of a certain tree, which miraculously led to complete recovery. In contrast, bleeding still occurred in the control group [61]. Pycnogenol is the registered trademark brand name of French maritime pine bark extract. Can you get pycnogenol naturally from foods? 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. - Apply a hot compress to the anus or soaking it in a shallow tub of hot water several times a day. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of 60 children with mild-to-moderate asthma found that those who took Pycnogenol may be able to reduce or discontinue their use of rescue inhalers more often than the placebo group [15]. The 2012 study on the anti-aging benefits of Pycnogenol is commonly-cited by anti-aging supplement manufacturers. It may cause side effects such as: Dizziness. You may want to start slow, taking smaller amounts, to ensure that your body works well with the OPCs found in pine bark extract. Consider pine bark extract through a conversation with your physician or a functional medicine doctor. Pycnogenol (100 mg/day) may reduce hay fever symptoms, according to a clinical trial of 39 people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does regulate dietary supplements; however, it treats them like foods rather than medications. Studies have also safely used Pycnogenol in children and during pregnancy. People who use the supplement along with their traditional medication usually take smaller doses than those who only take the supplement. In a study of 76 people with allergic asthma, Pycnogenol (100 mg/day) added to conventional corticosteroid inhalers for 6 months helped 55% of them reduce inhaler use frequency and dosage. They include: We need more research to know for sure if pycnogenol helps treat these conditions. 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. Certain studies used combination products, so its unknown what the contribution of Pycnogenol itself was. Higher doses (200 mg/day) may improve blood vessel health and function after 8 weeks according to a study of 23 people with heart disease [38]. Vinpocetine is a well-known substance in the health-hacking community with a variety of claimed health benefits. 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%). In another study, Pycnogenol increased glutathione levels and total antioxidants after a month in children with ADHD [42, 43]. (2015). Thirty patients were treated with 150 mg of Pycnogenol a day and the other 10 patients with placebo for a period of two months. When pycnogenol cream was added to oral supplements in a small study of 18 people with vein ulcers, it helped ulcers heal more quickly [26]. Most anal fissures heal with home treatment after a few days or weeks. are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. In 1535, a French explorer by the name of Jacques Cartier found himself ice-bound on the St. Lawrence River. Pycnogenol significantly reduced the swelling as well as the feeling of heaviness. However, it can also be used topically. Read More: Health Benefits of Peanut Butter. In another good study, 48 patients with diabetes and high blood pressure on ACE inhibitors were randomized to receive either Pycnogenol 125 mg daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Let us discuss them in detail below. Organika Pycnogenol 50mg 100 Tablets. 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]. Tongkat ali is an herbal remedy suggested to treat various ailments, including low testosterone and male infertility. As noted, aspirin can cause severe gastrointestinal issues. High levels of both of these are considered risk factors for heart disease. For diseases of the retina, including those related to diabetes: 50 milligrams three times daily. In oneparticular study published in Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, researchers investigated the antibacterial activity of pine bark extract essential oil on staph infections, E. coli and pseudomonas infections. If youre native to Oregon, you likely know all about marionberries. For that reason, you should be careful taking pine bark if you have hypertension or diabetes. In a study of 100 healthy women mostly in their early 40s with mild sexual dysfunction, a combination product with Pycnogenol (Lady Prelox) improved sexual function over 8 weeks [74]. It also appeared to improve their attention span, visual motor skills, and concentration. We believe that the most accurate information is found directly in the scientific source. Pine bark extract comes from the inner bark of the Pinus pinaster tree, most commonly found in Europe. 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. The list goes on a bit further, as the OPCs in thisextract may inhibit lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and fragility, and to affect enzyme systems, which basically means it may be a natural treatment for many serious health conditions, such as stroke and heart disease. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. In the placebo group, the retinopathy worsened; whereas, in the Pycnogenol-treated group, there was no deterioration. Risks. In a study of 33 people with severe osteoarthritis, pycnogenol (200 mg/day) reduced inflammatory markers after 3 weeks. This is thought to be due to pine bark extracts ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. In another study, 61 children with ADHD were given one mg per kg/day of Pycnogenol or placebo over four weeks. Frustrated by the lack of good information and tools, Joe decided to embark on a learning journey to decode his DNA and track his biomarkers in search of better health. Mental function. 7. A 2011 study by Dr. G. Belcaro concluded, " Pycnogenol administration was effective for better control of signs and symptoms of allergic asthma and reduced the need for medication". This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. Potential for allergy when taken orally or used on the skin. Taking pycnogenol daily for 2 months seems to slow or prevent further worsening of retinal disease caused by diabetes, atherosclerosis, or other diseases. Pycnogenol is known under different names in some countries, such as Oligopin, and Flavangenol in Japan [4, 5]. We take a look at what the science actually says. Staves Off Infections. Pycnogenol may have benefits for heart and artery health. ", Mayo Clinic: High blood pressure (hypertension)., Panminerva Medica: "Pycnogenol improvements in asthma management. Possible side effects . There is limited evidence that it could be used in treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Patients were given 100 milligrams of Pycnogenol, a branded version of pine bark extract, for 12 weeks, with continued anti-diabetic treatment. According to a study in 59 cancer patients, Pycnogenol (150 mg/day) may reduce side effects associated with radiation or chemotherapy, including mouth soreness and ulcers, mouth and eye dryness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss [78]. . 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. It has many health benefits, and may help protect against several chronic conditions. Reduces Pain. The treatment was four 50 mg capsules of Pycnogenol. Start with a low dose so you can be sure it doesnt cause any side effects. In the study, the placebo group had higher IgE antibodies to the birch allergen than those who took Pycnogenol during the allergy season [17]. Erectile dysfunction has increased over the past decade or two, creating a pathway for various medications to land on the shelves of numerous medicine cabinets. Pycnogenol effects on skin elasticity and hydration coincide with increased gene expressions of collagen type I and hyaluronic acid synthase in women [Abstract]. Pine bark extract has been studied regarding its relationship to exercise performance, oxidative stress and inflammation to body that has been imposed by exercise. The goal of this study was to evaluate if Pycnogenol could prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) in eight-hour flights in 196 subjects at risk of these conditions. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Note that each number in parentheses [1, 2, 3, etc.] The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Side Effects of Pycnogenol. Various brands of pycnogenol are available. Pycnogenol is not approved by the FDA for medical use. The remaining compounds are phenolic acids, which may also have antioxidant activity [1, 2]. Blood pressure is an important measure of how much blood is pumping from your heart to the rest of your body . This plant extract also shows promise in such far-flung conditions as traumatic brain injury 40,41, skin problems 37, pain syndromes 38,39, and even tinnitus . Thus, this powerful extract works as a natural ear infection remedy while improving balance and preventing hearing loss. 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. A plus sign next to the number [1+, 2+, etc] means that the information is found within the full scientific study rather than the abstract. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. but is for informational and educational purposes alone. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Set Ascending Direction. Results failed to show any efficacy of Pycnogenol or methylphenidate when compared to placebo. Pycnogenol is a patented formulation of Pine Bark Extract which is standardized to 65-75% Procyanidin compounds by weight. Pine bark extract provides many benefits to the skin, including reducing the signs of aging. Natural Factors Pycnogenol 25mg 60 Veggie Caps. Pycnogenol treatment lowered the ACE-inhibitor dose required to control blood pressure, and lowered fasting glucose levels as well. 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