Buy Pycnogenol in Canada – Do you Need a Prescription?

In Canada, Pycnogenol has been approved as a dietary supplement and can be purchased without a prescription.

Pycnogenol is the brand name for a proprietary extract from the bark are pine trees that grow in maritime regions of France.

This ingredient is marketed by Horphag Research and can be found sold in single-ingredient capsules, supplement complexes or in topical creams.

As a supplement, Pycnogenol is used to promote heart health, fight free radical damage caused by oxidation, and improve cognitive function. Pine Bark Extracts have been extensively studied for their anti-aging benefits and general health boosting properties.

In addition to supporting cardiovascular health, this supplement is observed to have benefits for cognitive function and brain health.

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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Buy Pycnogenol in Canada

Pcynogenol supplements are growing in popularity in Canada, but they are still not widely available in many health food stores.

Even some specialty supplement retailers in Canada, like GNC or Nutrition House, do not carry this supplement locally.

It is also not stocked by most supermarkets, such as Metro, Loblaws, Longos, Sobeys, Zerhs, Walmart or Costco. Most Canadians who wish to purchase this supplement will need to buy it online from a website such as Amazon or directly from a vendor.

Pycnogenol typically sells for between $0.50 – $1.00 per dose, depending on the source. Supplements will generally contain 100 mg or 200 mg of active ingredient per capsule.

It is also possible to purchase generic Pine Bark Extract in Canada. Pycnogenol is a proprietary form of Pine Bark Extract, standardized to contain 70% proanthocyanidin compounds per serving.

Other Pine Bark Extract supplements may contain a different percentage of active ingredient, but may confer the same benefits at a lower price to Canadian buyers.

Pycnogenol Uses in Canada

Naturopaths in Canada may recommend Pycnogenol supplements for a number of different applications. This supplement has been studied as a clinical intervention for the following:

• Improved glycemic control via improved glucose absorption;
• Improving peripheral circulation;
• Improving overall blood lipid profiles;
• Decrease bodyweight and fat mass;
• Reduce blood platelet aggregation;
• Strengthen the immune system;
• Prevent premature aging;
• Treat erectile dysfunction symptoms and male infertility;
• Improve the symptoms of menopause;
• Treat tinnitus (ringing sound in the ears);
• Increase libido and sexual stamina

How Does Pycnogenol Work?

The Pycnogenol brand of pine bark extract is standardized to contain 70% proanthocyanidin compounds. These are also known as oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes, or OPCs.

OPCs are found in a number of different natural health products derived from certain nuts, seeds, vegetables, flowers, fruits and barks. Grape Seed Extract is another widely used source.

OPCs are powerful anti-oxidants and have been found to exhibit a variety of medicinal properties including:

• Antiviral and antibacterial;
• Anticarcinogenic;
• Antidiabetic;
• Cardioprotective;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Anti-allergic;
• Vasodilatory

Also, OPCs seem to impede and/or prohibit the peroxidation of fats, aggregation of platelets and permeability (leaking) in capillaries. Finally, OPCs seem to affect cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2 enzymes systems.

Their versatile set of medicinal functions implicates OPCs as possibly effective therapeutic agents for numerous ailments and diseases. There are other phytonutrients in pycnogenol that may be beneficial for human health as well.

Reported Pycnogenol Health Benefits

There has been significant research into the effects of OPCs in pine bark extract for the cardiovascular system and heart health. This supplement has been studied for a number of health conditions including atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, gout, gastric ulcers, cataracts, asthma, diabetes mellitus, cancer, hypertension, obesity and others.

In some human-based intervention trials, routine supplementation with pine bark extracts showed preventative effects concerning lipid peroxidation. Decreased H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) was found in the plasma of test subjects after bouts of physical exertion.

OPCs are flavonoids. They exhibit antioxidant effects and scavenge reactive species of nitrogen and oxygen (RNS and ROS). French physicians have been using pine bark extracts from Pinus maritimus since the 1950s as preventative agents for cardiovascular disease. Some naturopathic doctors in Canada are now recommending Pycnogenol for the same reasons.

Pycnogenol Use for Hypertension

Use of pycnogenol in Canada for controlling hypertension (high blood pressure) is also increasing. Study results suggest that this supplement can lower blood pressure in some cases.

Pycnogenol may increase the synthesis of Nitric Oxide in the body. This is a vasodilator that causes the endothelial tissues of the circulatory system to relax, allowing blood vessels to expand.

When blood vessels expand (or dilate), they can carry more blood throughout the body and improve circulatory efficiency.

Nitric oxide also antagonizes the vasoconstriction that is induced by epinephrine and norepinephrine. Pine Bark Extract also decreases endothelin in the blood, which is another vasoconstricting substance.

By promoting the dilation of blood vessels, it may be possible to reduce blood pressure in patients with hypotension. This is one reason why some Canadian residents are turning to Pycnogenol as a natural treatment alternative.

Side Effects of Pycnogenol Supplements

Pine bark extracts are classified as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) in the United States. Pycnogenol has a low risk of side effects and is generally well tolerated by most users. In a small percentage of users, nausea and stomach upset are experienced, but pass quickly. In some cases, users report more frequent urination.

In research trials, dosages of between 50mg and 450mg daily have been used safely. Speak to your doctor or naturopath to determine the appropriate dosage for your needs.

Some individuals should not take Pycnogenol supplements without first consulting with their doctors. This includes the following groups:

• Pregnant or nursing women;
• Those with autoimmune diseases including SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and MS (multiple sclerosis);
• Those with bleeding disorders;
• Diabetics;
• Those scheduled for a surgical procedure within fourteen days;
• Those taking antihypertensive prescription drugs;
• Those with liver and/or kidney disease

Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs may interact with Pycnogenol or Pine Bark Extract supplements. In particular, individuals using antidiabetic, antihypertensive and immunosuppressant drugs may be contraindicated.

While Pycnogenol is available without a prescription in Canada, it is recommended to speak to your doctor before deciding to use this or any other natural health supplement.

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