Pine Bark Extract Side Effects & Health Dangers

Possible pine bark extract side effects include dizziness, intestinal upset, headaches and/or mouth ulcerations, but these effects are rare.

In most supplementation cases, pine bark extract generates no adverse effects at all.

This dietary supplement is officially called Pinus pinaster, and less commonly called Oligopin, Flavangenol and/or Pycnogenol.

It is used by doctors and laypeople of all developed countries to improve general states of health; and more specifically to treat a variety of health conditions and diseases, mainly those associated with circulatory insufficiencies.

There are strong antioxidative constituents in pine bark called oligomeric proanthocyanidin compounds (OPCs).

Other beneficial phytonutrients in Pinus pinaster are known to induce vasorelaxing effects, which in turn bring about various cardiovascular benefits. Pine bark extract supplementation has proven successful at reducing LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL cholesterol levels at the same time.

You should speak to your doctor before using this supplement to determine whether it is safe for you based on your individual medical history and any other drugs you are using.

Pine Bark Extract

Anti-Oxidant Supplement

Anti- Oxidant

Longevity

Brain Function

How It Works:

• Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory & neuroprotective
• Supports heart health & longevity
• Increases glutathione levels for detox

Dosage:

Between 50 - 360 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Pine Bark Extract Positive Effects

OPCs found in Pine Bark Extract capsules have been shown to be effective anti-oxidant agents.

Free radicals (oxidants) are unstable molecules because they have electrons that are unpaired. This causes them to be ionic (charged) molecules.

As they they travel through the human body, they are searching for other molecules to bump into and remove electrons from. They are chaotic and move randomly.

They lodge wherever they can and initiate cellular reactions that result in significant damage. Oxidative damage is widely believed to cause the onset of numerous side effects, diseases and conditions that are preventable in many cases.

According to the Harvard School of Medicine, as much as 97% of all diseases are preventable – if certain conditions are met, including:

• Consistently nutritious dietary intake plans that omit fried, deep-fried, bleached, sugar-laden, high-fat, processed, prepared, packaged and otherwise unhealthy food sources;
• Daily physical activity to the point of perspiration for at least thirty minutes;
• Regular hydration with purified water;
• Minimization of free radical synthesis and exposure;
• Consistently efficient stress management techniques;
• Other healthy lifestyle modification choices as necessary

Humans encounter free radicals in a variety of ways.

Environmental toxins are abundant in many forms: highway runoff, industrial pollutants, pesticides, herbicides and unhealthy mainstream food supply choices to name several.

In addition, oxidant levels are shown to elevate with chronic illnesses, sedentary lifestyles and ineffective or nonexistent stress coping capacities. Further, humans actually synthesize free radical substances via various endogenous (inner) metabolic activities.

In order to inhibit the destructive effects of oxidant actions in the body, we require the assistance of antioxidants. Antioxidants like pine bark extract pills have the ability to stop the actions of free radicals.

Antioxidants are able to neutralize the ionic charge of the radical oxygen molecules and thereby reducing the side effects of oxidant-based cellular damage. OPCs in pine bark extract are some of the most powerful known antioxidants. This is a primary motivator for continuing clinical research on Pinus pinaster.

Pine Bark Extract Side Effects

In general, pine bark extract is believed to be safe for human supplementation. No ill side effects have been observed or reported with doses ranging between 75 and 475 milligrams per day. Long term usage of up to one year seems to have no increase of negative side effects.

When used as a cream for the hands, ankles and feet, no side effects have been noted with daily use for seven days. In powder form, usage for six straight weeks presented no side effects.

In rare cases of over-supplementation, pine bark extract has been known to cause mild stomach upset, dizziness, headaches and/or temporary mouth ulcerations.

Groups that should not use Pinus pinaster without the explicit approval of their doctors include:

• Women who are nursing or pregnant;
• Those with any autoimmune condition including, but not limited to lupus, MS (multiple sclerosis) and (RA) rheumatoid arthritis;
• Anyone with a condition that affects bleeding/clotting capacities;
• Those with type II diabetes mellitus;
• Anyone scheduled for any surgical procedure within the next 2 weeks

Pinus pinaster from the southern regions of France is believed to have the highest concentrations of OPCs. Clinical research is continuously underway from private, public, university and governmental institutions addressing its capacities to affect human health on numerous levels.

Pine Bark Extract Health Benefits

All current clinical proof shows strong promise for uncovering more human health benefits of supplementation. To this point, there have been no conclusive determinations made from leading healthcare authorities concerning its effectiveness to prevent or cure any disease.

The best choice for those considering the benefits of Pinus pinaster extract supplementation is to ask their doctors about it first. It is important to understand all the possibilities of condition or medication interactions in order to save yourself from any possible pine bark extract side effects.

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