When and How to Take Pycnogenol 50mg Supplements

Pycnogenol 50mg supplements are being investigated for their anti-aging benefits, cognitive effects and potential to improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

Pycnogenol is trademark name for a dietary supplement that is extracted from the bark of certain pine trees (Pinus maritime and Pinus pinaster).

Pycnogenol contains 65% – 75% proanthocyanidins and is comparable in biologic action to grape seed extract, cocoa extract, peanut skins and the bark of witch hazel.

Pine bark has been used traditionally for centuries to strengthen libido, improve erectile dysfunction and fortify immunity responses. It is also being tested for effectiveness at treating circulation issues, attention deficit disorders and diabetes, to name a few.

This form of Pine Bark Extract has been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It has also been observed to improve blood sugar control and increase Nitric Oxide levels in the blood, which promotes dilation of blood vessels.

Using a 50 mg Pycnogenol supplement is considered to be safe with few known side effects. While studies have used the 40-60 mg dosage range for long-term benefits, it is more commonly taken at a dosage of 100 mg or 200 mg a day. It is typically recommended to take this supplement with food.

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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Pycnogenol 50mg Supplements

Physicians and clinicians use pycnogenol supplements to address a variety of medical conditions in their patients.

While it has not been approved by the FDA as a drug to treat any of these conditions, there is preliminary evidence showing effectiveness in many of these areas.

Below are some of the common uses according to the Natural Medicines Database:

• Asthma, chronic bronchitis and allergic reactions;
• Tinnitus (ear ringing);
• Hypertension (high blood pressure);
• Menopause symptoms, painful menstruation and endometriosis;
• Osteoarthritis;
• Muscle pains and soreness;
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);
• Retinopathy (disease of the eyes);
• Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular disorders;
• Varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis;
• Premature aging symptoms including inelasticity of the skin and lacking stamina;
• Male infertility and ED (erectile dysfunction)

Benefits of Pycnogenol Supplements

Natural medicines rate Pycnogenol tablets as “Possibly Effective” for a number of conditions. It is frequently taken by bodybuilders and athletes to improve their athletic performance and reduce fatigue.

It also shows benefits for reducing pain sensations, improving diabetic blood sugar control, supporting hearth, brain and eye health, possibly promoting weight loss and supporting sexual function.

In young people between the ages of 25 and 30, daily administration of Pycnogenol 50mg supplements for at least four weeks seems to increase stamina during treadmill workouts. Times to exhaustion seems to be increased appreciably.

Oral administration of Pycnogenol seems to decrease “heaviness” and pain in the legs. Also, fluid retention rates seem to be reduced via routine supplementation

Adjunct supplementation of pycnogenol with asthma medications seems to improve treatment effectiveness. Also, research suggests that taking pycnogenol 50mg supplements before the arrival of asthma season may reduce birch allergic reactions. Adults and children with asthma benefit from decreased needs for rescue inhaler usage.

Pycnogenol’s Cognitive Benefits

Research suggests that pine bark extract may improve memory and overall mental functioning in both the elderly and young adults.

For children, but not adults, four pycnogenol 50mg supplements daily for at least four weeks seems to improve memory, learning capacities and attention spans in subjects diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Further, instances of hyperactive behaviors are apparently reduced at doses of 1 milligram per kilogram of bodyweight daily.

Additional Evidence for 50 mg Pycnogenol

Retinopathy, a disease that affects the retina, seems to be impeded or prevented with daily pycnogenol supplementation for at least two months. Retinopathy is associated often with diabetes type II mellitus, atherosclerosis, obesity and several other conditions.

Oral administration of pine bark extracts at 450mg daily for at least four weeks seems to improve clogging in arteries. In one study of coronary artery disease patients, 200mg of pycnogenol per day seemed to induce a 45.6% improvement in blood delivery volumes.

Other small-scale studies have shown decreases in LDL and total cholesterol, as well as increases in HDL cholesterol.

Studies suggest that 150mg of pine bark extract daily may be effective at treating deep vein thrombosis (DVT), especially during long airline flights. This treatment is made more effective by stacking pycnogenol with nattokinase supplements.

Additionally, administering 100mg of pycnogenol before flights, and then another 100mg six hours after completing flights, seems to reduce the formation of blood clots during flying.

Pycnogenol supplementation has been shown to reduce bleeding of the gums and to reduce the formation of dental plaque. Results have been seen in as little as two weeks.

Findings in some recent studies suggest that between 50mg and 200mg daily of pycnogenol supplementation may help with glucose absorption in those with diabetes mellitus and reactive hypoglycemia (prediabetes).

Also, insulin and leptin sensitivity seem to be increased via pycnogenol supplementation lasting between three and twelve weeks. This could suggest a mechanism by which Pycnogenol may support weight loss results.

Ongoing Pycnogenol Research

Pycnogenol and pine bark extract supplements continue to be researched for their potential health benefits. While many of the uses attributed to Pycnogenol have not yet been conclusively demonstrated in research studies, there are some preliminary studies that do demonstrate additional positive effects. These results need to be repeated in order to be validated.

The following are results reported from studies that show promise for future areas of research:

• Alleviate edema (swelling);
• Reverse the symptoms of ED (erectile dysfunction);
• Ameliorate certain symptoms associated with heart failure, especially when stacked with coenzyme Q10;
• Remedy the symptoms of hemorrhoids and improve life quality in hemorrhoid sufferers;
• Reduce systolic blood pressure and provide possible treatment for hypertension;
• Alleviate the symptoms of migraine headaches;
• Reduce overall symptoms of osteoarthritis, but not pain specifically;
• Manage late pregnancy pains, especially hip and pelvis pains;
• Decrease premature skin aging;
• Improve the symptoms of systemic lupus and other autoimmune diseases;
• Heal ulcerations of the skin, especially in those with diabetes mellitus

Although Pycnogenol 50mg supplements seem to be safe, even for long-term use, it is always best to consult with your doctor before using any supplement. Your doctor can help you determine whether this supplement is appropriate for you or whether it may be contraindicated based on your medical history or other supplements and medications you may be taking.

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