Where to Buy Pycnogenol Supplements Online

Pycnogenol is a brand name herbal extract made from French maritime pine bark.

It has been clinically shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, lipid metabolizing and cardio-protective benefits.

Pine bark extract has been used safely for centuries as a general health elixir to promote vitality. This compound is also used in skincare products designed to slow down the effects of visible aging on the skin.

You can buy Pycnogenol capsules online or in some specialty health food stores. This supplement may also be purchased in generic Pine Bark extract products or in combination products designed to promote brain heath and longevity.

Research continues to explore the benefits of Pycnogenol’s active ingredients. This supplement may prove useful for enhancing cognitive function, athletic performance, sexual function and more. While some health claims require further research, it has been determined effective for a number of supplemental uses.

Pycnogenol

Anti-Oxidant Supplement

Heart Health

Longevity

Skin Health

How It Works:

• Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
• Supports healthy blood sugar & heart
• Aids in collagen integrity for skin health

Dosage:

Between 50 - 360 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Where to Buy Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol is a proprietary herbal extract from the bark of the Pinus pinaster tree, otherwise known as the Pine Tree.

The active ingredients found in Pycnogenol include procyanidolic oligomers (OPCs), sometimes referred to as Procyanidins.

Pycnogenol contains a standardized formula of between 65-75% Procyanidin compounds by weigh. This supplement is produced by Horphag Research and you will find it as an ingredient in several different dietary supplement products sold in the US and Europe.

Most of the research on Pine Bark Extract has focused on the proprietary Pycnogenol extract. However, the active ingredients found in this extract are similar to those found in generic Pine Bark Extract products.

You can buy single ingredient formulation of Pycnogenol or Pine Bark Extract from several health supplement manufacturers. While this product is not typically sold in the average grocery store supplement aisle, it may also be found in some highly specialized nutrition and supplement stores in your local area.

Pycnogenol capsules typically contain between 30mg – 100mg per pill with an average recommended dosage of 50 – 360 mg per day. You will generally pay more for products sold with the Pycnogenol brand name than you will for generic Pine Bark Extract supplements.

It is also possible to purchase skin care products with Pycnogenol. This is the active ingredient in several creams, moisturizer and serum products. These products can be purchased from different online retailers as well.

Benefits of Pycnogenol Products

Pycnogenol may provide certain benefits that reduce the risk factors for heart disease. It has been described as “cardioprotective”, meaning that it can help to protect your heart and cardiovascular system. It may also improve cholesterol levels.

When taking Pycnogenol supplements, users experience an increase in Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. This is an important chemical in the body that causes vasodilation.

Vasodilation is the relaxing and expanding of blood vessel walls and heart muscle tissue. This can help to improve circulatory efficiency. When blood vessels are dilated (made wider), they carry more blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

Pycnogenol also seems to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. This is an enzyme that causes blood vessels to constrict, which is the opposite of dilation. By inhibiting this enzyme, Pycnogenol may further improve blood flow, without raising blood pressure.

There are quite a few benefits that are associated with improved circulation. This can include better detoxification of the body, improved energy and muscle growth, increased libido and erectile function as well as supporting increased cognitive function.

Using Pycnogenol for Cholesterol

Doctors may also recommend that patients purchase Pycnogenol supplements to help manage cholesterol levels. The build-up of cholesterol on artery walls is linked to heart disease and may increase the risk of heart attack.

When using Pycnogenol or Pine Bark extract capsules, cholesterol build-up may be inhibited. According to research studies, this supplement promotes the transportation of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and other fatty substances away from the artery walls and to the liver for processing.

By reducing the accumulation of these fatty substances in the blood, the daily use of a Pcynogenol supplement could improve cardiovascular function. It is being researched for its effects on cardiovascular diseases including hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis and others.

These same risk factors are also associated with developing obesity, diabetes mellitus, stroke, coronary artery disease, cancer and various other adverse health conditions.

However, Pycnogenol products are not yet approved for sale by the FDA in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Supplement manufacturers cannot promote this products as a treatment, cure or prevention of these medical conditions.

Pycnogenol for Blood Sugar Control

Pycnogenol may have benefits for the regulation of blood glucose levels. This is an area of interest for individuals with Metabolic Syndrome, Pre-Diabetes, and Type II Diabetes Mellitus. While Pycnogenol is not approved for the treatment of these conditions, some naturopathic doctors may recommend it to you as part of a treatment protocol.

In research studies, Pycnogenol has been shown to reduce symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia. It may enhance the body’s ability to use glucose in the blood.

This could help to support energy metabolism and decrease the body’s need to release excessive amounts of insulin. Researchers are examining the effects of Pycnogenol on insulin sensitivity and the functioning of the pancreas as well.

There may also be benefits for weight loss from taking Pcynogenol supplements. This product has been shown to improve leptin sensitivity, which has an anti-obesity effect. Research also shows that lowering insulin levels can inhibit the formation of new fat deposits.

Many of these benefits are linked to the improved NO synthesis caused by Pycnogenol. This is said to improve the permeability of the capillary system which can increase peripheral blood delivery. Researchers also theorize that this effects could decrease the risk of diabetic neuropathy and even diabetic extremity amputations.

More research is needed to understand the anti-diabetes effects of Pycnogenol supplements.

Pycnogenol and the Immune System

Another reason why consumers buy Pycnogenol pills is to support the immune system. This supplement exhibits some immunomodulating effects.

An immunomodulator is any compound that helps regulate the immune function of the body. These substances are said to have a “normalizing” effect to optimize the immune response. In other words, they can help strengthen immune responses in some cases while weakening them in others.

According to the Natural Medicines database, Pycnogenol “seems to boost natural killer cell activity and improves T- and B-cell function in animal models.” However, these results need to be replicated in human studies to determine clinical efficacy.

Pycnogenol is also known exhibit significant anti-oxidant benefits. It helps to scavenge damaging substances like reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS) in the body.

Oligomeric constituents in pine bark extracts hep to eliminate these sources of oxidative damage. They may improve levels of glutathione and vitamin E during times of oxidative stress. This supplement may also combat tumor proliferation and progression.

Pycnogenol for Sexual Health

Many individuals who purchase Pycnogenol or Pine Bark extract supplements do so because of the purported sexual health benefits of this supplement. This natural extract is said to both improve erectile function and help to reduce symptoms of menopause.

In one 8-week study of menopausal women, supplementation with pine bark extract resulted in a 45.6% improvement in the six most prevalent menopause symptoms. These symptoms include night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, irregular menstruation, low libido and vaginal dryness.

Pycnogenol may also be used for erectile dysfunction symptoms including low libido, premature ejectulation and the inability to gain erections. These benefits seem to stem from the vasodilatory properties of this supplement. Pycnogenol may be more effective for ED when combined with L-Arginine. These two supplement are frequently sold together for this purpose.

More Reasons to Buy Pycnogenol

In addition to the Pycnogenol health benefits described above, there are other uses currently being researched:

• Chronic venous insufficiency;
• Retinal disease (retinopathy);
• Immune system deficiencies;
• Hypertensive disorders;
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD);
• Varicose veins, bruising, thrombosis and edema;
• Night vision;
• Periodontal disease;
• Allergic reactions and asthma symptoms;
• Liver function and cirrhosis;
• Systemic lupus

Consumers may order Pycnogenol online for the following uses. However many of these need to be further researched to determine clinical efficacy.

Pycnogenol Side Effects and Safety

French pine bark extracts have been used safely for centuries by humans as a natural remedy. There are no serious side effects associated with Pycnogenol supplements. In some cases, it may cause short-term nausea and/or stomach upset.

Interactions can occur between pycnogenol and certain prescription and OTC medications for diabetes and blood pressure. If you are taking these medications, do not supplement with pine bark extract without your physician’s supervision

Additionally, pregnant and nursing women, those with upcoming surgeries schedules, diabetics and those with liver disease should not buy pycnogenol without first checking with their doctors.

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