0
4.13
3
Pycnogenol is a patented brand of pine bark extract promoted as one of the best anti-aging supplements and skin care ingredients.
Dr. Oz promoted this ingredient as “the secret to living and looking seven years younger.” It has biological actions similar to grape seed extract and cocoa extract.
It works as an anti-oxidant and increases circulation throughout the body and brain. Pycnogenol is derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree known as ‘Pinus pinaster’.
This compound also exists in grape seeds, witch hazel bark and peanut skins.
According to Pycnogenol reviews, this supplement may be able to improve brain performance, enhance athletic performance and reduce signs of aging.
Heart Health
Longevity
Skin Health- Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
- Supports healthy blood sugar & heart
- Aids in collagen integrity for skin health
Top Pycnogenol Products* ❯Pycnogenol Review
Related Topics
Pycnogenol is the registered trademark for the proprietary pine bark extract sold by Horphag Research.
It contains between 65% and 75% procyanidins, which are compound chains containing two catechin molecules.
Catechins vary in their functions based on the ways they are arranged molecularly. Catechins and other active phytonutrients in Pinus pinaster induce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions which may be beneficial in a variety of therapeutic scenarios.
The majority of pycnogenol reviews seem to show benefits associated with upregulated blood flow and enhanced control of blood glucose levels. In anti-aging creams and skincare products, it is said to reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles.
Pycnogenol may lower the risk for conditions and diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes mellitus type ii, ADHD and various others. It has been shown to support cardiovascular function and weight loss.
Another common reason for taking Pycnogenol in user reviews is to protect the brain and keep memory functions strong as we age.
Pycnogenol Research Overview
One area of significant research for both Pycnogenol and pine bark extract is cardiovascular health. The effects of this supplement are believed to improve circulation, reduce symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and reduce risk factors related to coronary artery disease.
Taking Pycnogenol has been shown to upregulate nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Nitric Oxide has a vasorelaxant effect on the linings inside the heart muscle, the lungs and the blood vessels. It causes these vessels to dilate or widen so that they can transport more blood.
Vasodilation accommodates increased blood volume displacement without increasing diastolic or systolic blood pressure. Increased blood flow means that oxygen and hormones are better delivered throughout the body via the circulatory system, enhancing healing abilities and generally improving whole-body functioning.
In one double-blind study of adult humans with coronary artery disease, 200mg doses of pycnogenol per day for eight weeks improved blood flow by 32%. In other human trials, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels dropped while HDL cholesterol levels were elevated.
According to research reviews, Pycnogenol may reduce risk factors for heart disease, obesity and diabetes, like high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Pycnogenol for Weight Management
Pycnogenol reviews online show that this supplement is frequently used as part of a weight loss regimen. There have been studies showing this supplement has anti-diabetic effects, may reduce leptin resistance and may increase athletic performance.
However, there have been no studies definitively showing a weight reduction effect as a result of taking Pycnogenol pills.
Pycnogenol has been shown to promote lipolysis or the breakdown of fats in some trials. Lipolysis involves breaking down lipids via the hydrolysis of triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol. This may suggest an anti-obesity effect, which could improve risk factors for various other diseases and conditions.
In studies of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) increases were suppressed during adipogenesis with pycnogenol supplementation at 100mcg/mL. Also, aP2, CEBP-alpha and PPAR-gamma were all suppressed at mRNA levels with doses of pycnogenol between 100 and 200 mcg/mL.
Finally, during periods of adipocyte synthesis, 200ug/mL doses suppressed G6PDH mRNA. Leptin gene encoding seems to be affected, implicating pycnogenol as a possible agent for decreasing leptin resistance.
Pycnogenol also seems to exhibit anti-diabetic properties that enhance the uptake of glucose in the blood. By more efficiently using glucose, less insulin is released by the pancreas. This decreases insensitivity to insulin and enhances pancreatic performance.
Symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia (prediabetes) and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been effectively treated and reversed in some cases according to pycnogenol reviews.
Pycnogenol supplement may help reducing the amount of bad cholesterol, raising levels of good cholesterol, reducing triglycerides, decreasing insulin sensitivity, enhancing leptin action, reducing fat accumulations during stressful situations and enhancing the utilization of glucose.
These actions may support long-term weight management and lower the risk of related conditions. However, it should not be thought of as a “diet pill” capable of promoting weight loss on its own. It may enhance the benefits of a healthy diet and active lifestyle in maintaining a healthy weight.
Pycnogenol Review for ADHD:
In one double-blind human-based, placebo-controlled study, 61 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were given daily doses of pycnogenol at a rate of 1mg/kg of body weight.
After four weeks of supplementation, there were strong improvements in attentiveness and significant reductions of hyperactivity when compared to both baseline readings and data generated from the placebo group.
Further, in treatment group subjects, there was a return to baseline attention and hyperactivity levels within a few weeks of stopping supplementation.
In a separate review of pycnogenol, adolescent students with no known health issues showed improvements in executive functioning, attention, mood and memory when given this product. Test passing rates also improved significantly.
It is believed that these improvements are associated with reductions in catecholamines like adrenaline and dopamine in the urine.
Pycnogenol for Menopause:
In one eight-week human study, women going through menopause were administered 100mg of pycnogenol each day. At week six, there was a 45.6% reduction in the six most commonly experienced symptoms of menopause. Mood swings, vaginal dryness, abnormal menstruation, night sweats, hot flashes and libido were all improved as well.
Pycnogenol Conclusions
Pycnogenol is a well-studied supplement that shows positive effects for a wide range of health conditions. It has been shown to increase circulation, improve blood glucose regulation and act as an anti-oxidant.
Because of these benefits, it may help to reduce the risk of several diseases and conditions including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease as well as reducing signs of aging.
Side effects are rare, though some users report upset stomach or nausea. Pycnogenol is not recommended for those taking immunosuppressants, antidiabetic and/or antihypertensive medications. Other drug interaction warnings apply and you should consult with a doctor before beginning supplementation.
You should read more Pine Bark extract and Pycnogenol reviews shared by users online to determine exactly how this supplement might affect you.
- Packer L1, Rimbach G, Virgili F. Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, pycnogenol. Free Radic Biol Med. 1999 Sep;27(5-6):704-24.
- Lin, Miyako Mochizuki, and Noboru Hasegawa. "Pycnogenol Ameliorates Depression-Like Behavior in Repeated Corticosterone-Induced Depression Mice Model." BioMed Research International 2014 (2014): 942927. PMC. Web. 24 June 2015.
- Harati K, Slodnik P, Chromik AM, Behr B1, Goertz O, Hirsch T, Kapalschinski N, Klein-Hitpass L,Kolbenschlag J, Uhl W, Lehnhardt M, Daigeler A. Pro?apoptotic effects of pycnogenol on HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells. Int J Oncol. 2015 Apr;46(4):1629-36. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2015.2854. Epub 2015 Jan 27.
- Belcaro G, Luzzi R, Cesinaro Di Rocco P, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, Feragalli B, Errichi BM, Ippolito E,Grossi MG, Hosoi M, Errichi S, Cornelli U, Ledda A, Gizzi G. Pycnogenol® improvements in asthma management. Panminerva Med. 2011 Sep;53(3 Suppl 1):57-64.
- Kurlbaum, Max, Melanie Mülek, and Petra Högger. "Facilitated Uptake of a Bioactive Metabolite of Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) into Human Erythrocytes." Ed. Baohong Zhang. PLoS ONE 8.4 (2013): e63197. PMC. Web. 24 June 2015.
- Belcaro G, Luzzi R, Hu S, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, Ippolito E, Corsi M, Caporale S. Improvement in signs and symptoms in psoriasis patients with Pycnogenol® supplementation. Panminerva Med. 2014 Mar;56(1):41-8.
- Khan, Mohammad Moshahid et al. "Protection of MPTP-Induced Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration by Pycnogenol." Neurochemistry international 62.4 (2013): 379–388. PMC. Web. 24 June 2015.
- Errichi S, Bottari A, Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Hosoi M, Cornelli U, Dugall M, Ledda A, Feragalli B. Supplementation with Pycnogenol® improves signs and symptoms of menopausal transition. Panminerva Med. 2011 Sep;53(3 Suppl 1):65-70.
- D'Andrea G Pycnogenol: a blend of procyanidins with multifaceted therapeutic applications? Fitoterapia. 2010 Oct;81(7):724-36. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2010.06.011. Epub 2010 Jun 20.
Article last updated on: April 15th, 2018 by Nootriment