Pycnogenol Benefits For Diabetes, Cholesterol, Menopause & More

Pycnogenol is the trade name for a proprietary type of pine bark extract cultivated from trees in southern France.

This dietary supplement is recognized to combat signs of aging, improve factors related to heart health, work as an anti-oxidant, help to control symptoms of menopause and support proper metabolism.

Pycnogenol benefits investigated in clinical trials range from use as an adjunct therapy for ADHD in children to a skin care product to prevent wrinkles and as an anti-cancer and anti-diabetes agent.

The positive effects of pycnogenol are attributed to the high procyanidin content – a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant and neuroprotective properties.

There are few side effects linked to pine bark extract supplements, though it is important to consult with your doctor before starting to use this product to learn more about potential benefits and safe usage guidelines.

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 Benefits

Reported benefits of Pycnogenol supplementation extend across a diverse array of medicinal uses and conditions.

According to the Natural Medicines database from the Therapeutic Research Center, Pycnogenol is used for treating all of the following:

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Diabetic microangiopathy
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Hypertension
• Tinnitus
• Muscle soreness & pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Diabetes
• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Endometriosis
• Menopausal symptoms
• Dysmenorrhea (Painful menstruation)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Retinopathy
• Vericose veins

As a supplement, pycnogenol is seen as beneficial in the prevention of stroke, cardiovascular conditions including heart disease, improving athletic performance, boosting sexual performance and sperm morphology, improving and maintainin skin health, and as a general anti-aging supplement. Not all of these uses have been investigated or validated in human research trials.

While there is significant evidence of pycnogenol’s benefits for improving allergic rhinitis (hayfever), asthma, athletic stamina and exercise capacity, chronic venous insufficiency, cognitive function and retinopathy, the Therapeutic Research Center says there is insufficient reliable evidence to rate other benefits. However, more research continues into this supplement to fully explore its clinical applications.

Pycnogenol Effects for Cardiovascular Health:

One significant area of research into Pycnogenol’s effects is in regards to its ability to improve circulation and reduce risk factors related to heart disease. In one study, supplementation at 200mg per day for 8 weeks showed a 32% improvement in blood delivery in human subjects diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

In comparison, a placebo group demonstrated no changes. Also, vasodilation of endothelial tissues in the lungs, heart and blood vessels is observed following pycnogenol usage.

The supplement also seems to improve cholesterol levels and blood lipid profiles. A 6-week study with pycnogenol dosing of 150mg daily reported a 7% decrease in LDL cholesterol and a 10.4% increase in HDL cholesterol.

In a separate study involving human subjects with chronic venous insufficiency, a daily dose of 360mg resulted in a 19.7% decrease in total cholesterol and a 13% decrease in LDL cholesterol.

Pycnogenol benefits also include anti-oxidant effects as measured by ORAC scores of plasma samples. ORAC (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) is a measure of the anti-oxidant capacities found within blood samples.

Antioxidant actions of pycnogenol include increasing the ORAC ratings of plasma samples and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Supplementation with pine bark extract seems to slow down the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the body, posing a number of potential health benefits.

Pycnogenol Cognitive Benefits:

One area that is receiving more attention is the purported nootropic or cognitive effects of pycnogenol and pine bark extract.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 61 children who had confirmed cases of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), pycnogenol was administered daily at a rate of one milligram per one kilogram of bodyweight.

The study went on for 4 weeks. When compared with baseline rates, and with placebo groups rates, significant improvements in attention and decreases in hyperactivity incidences were noted.

These benefits diminished and rates returned to baseline levels within one month of supplementation discontinuation. The method of action seems to have something to do with decreased urine catecholamines levels – like dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline.

In a different study of students with normal health, improvements were seen in memory, attention span, mood and executive functioning. Lowered rates of test failures resulted as well.

Pycnogenol for Menopause:

Another pycnogenol benefit is an improvement in symptoms frequently reported among menopausal women. In an 8-week study involving menopausal women, 100mg of pycnogenol was administered daily. Results included in a 45.6% decrease in the 6 most commonly experienced menopause symptoms: hot flashes, irregular periods, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low libido and mood swings.

Pycnogenol for Fat Loss:

The effects of pycnogenol also extend to weight loss and lipid metabolism. Pycnogenol has been observed to increase the uptake of glucose into fat cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway.

This effect is both antidiabetic and pro-obesogenic, possibly increasing leptin and insulin sensitivity. It may also prevent accumulations of fat during times of oxidative stress. This seems to have an effect on fat metabolism in the body, though further research is required to understand this mechanism.

Pycnogenol supplementation of 100 mcg/mL was shown to suppress hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) during the accumulation of lipids into a mature fat cell line (3T3-L1 adipocytes). At doses between 100 and 200 mcg/mL, fat accumulation genes (aP2, PPAR-? and CEBP-?) were suppressed at mRNA levels. Pycnogenol 200ug/mL doses were also noted to suppress G6PDH mRNA during adipogenesis.

Additional Pycnogenol Benefits

In addition to the Pycnogenol benefits reported above, this supplement is also observed to:

• Manage symptoms associated with cirrhosis of the liver;
• Hepaprotective effect and supporting liver function;
• Increased libido and testosterone synthesis;
• Decreasing NF-kB activity, encouraging immune system cell action and decreasing inflammation;
• Improving symptoms associated with osteoarthritis and overall joint health;

Is Pycnogenol Safe for You?

Pycnogenol supplementation is regarded as safe. The only side effects associated with usage are upset stomach and nausea. These are short lived side effects and typically only occur when first starting to take this supplement.

Pregnant/nursing women should not use pycnogenol without their doctors’ permissions. Also, surgery patients should stop usage at least 2 weeks prior to their procedures.

There are some possible contraindications associated with pycnogenol usage in individuals taking certain prescription medications. These include antihypertensive, antidiabetic and immunosuppressant drugs.

Be sure to consult with your physician before starting to use this supplement to determine whether Pycnogenol benefits are right for you.

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