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The list of research supported pycnogenol uses is long and diverse, ranging from improved skin appearance, better cardiovascular health, enhanced sexual performance, improved ADHD symptoms and better weight management.
Pycnogenol is a trademarked brand of French maritime pine bark extract; a dietary supplement with purported anti-aging benefits. It contains roughly 70% proanthocyanidin compounds and flavonoids which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Taking Pycnogenol seems to improve cardiovascular efficiency, immune functioning, energy levels and protect against some forms of damage associated with aging. Using pycnogenol for improved focus, mental energy and better control of ADHD symptoms also seems to be effects.
The active phytonutrients contained in pycnogenol have been used for centuries as versatile medicinal agents without serious side effects. What are the medicinal benefits of using Pycnogenol and how does it work?
Heart Health
Longevity
Skin Health- Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
- Supports healthy blood sugar & heart
- Aids in collagen integrity for skin health
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One of the primary reasons to use Pycnogenol is to support circulatory function.
Catechins in pine bark extracts promote vasodilation in the endothelial tissues of the lungs, heart and circulatory vessels.
This results in relaxed and dilated blood vessels that are better able to deliver increased amounts of blood throughout the body.
Furthermore, Pycnogenol improved circulation without increasing blood pressure which can put added strain on the heart. Numerous health problems are linked to insufficient circulation through the body.
When more oxygen, nutrients and repair agents are transported through the circulatory system to our organs and cells, general improvements in health may result.
Enhanced circulatory efficacy from pycnogenol supplementation may reduce some of the serious risk factors correlated with coronary artery disease and heart disease. In one study, pycnogenol was administered at 200mg daily for six weeks to adult humans with coronary artery disease. A 32% improvement in blood volume delivery was achieved.
In other human trials, LDL and total cholesterol levels were diminished by as much as 19%. Also, HDL cholesterol levels increased significantly, improving overall blood lipid profiles.
Pycnogenol for ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) has become the most prevalent psychiatric abnormality amongst children and adolescents.
Procyanidins, phenolic acids, taxifolin and catechins in pine bark extracts are proving to help manage all three classifications of symptoms of ADHD, including:
- Inattention symptoms including lacking focus, forgetfulness, easy distraction, poor decision making and disobedience to social rules;
- Hyperactivity symptoms including fidgeting, squirming, repetitively getting up, inappropriate climbing/running, incessant talking and playing noisily;
- Impulsivity symptoms including talking out of turn, impatience, blurting out answers to questions prematurely, starting conversations at inappropriate times and talking inappropriately in social/work situations.
Using pycnogenol for ADHD treatment has been investigated in a small number of studies. While it has not been demonstrated as effective for controlling ADHD symptoms in adults, it has been observed to improve symptoms in young children and adolescents.
One study showed improvements in mood stability, attention span, memory capacity and executive functioning abilities. Test passing skills also increased markedly.
These improvements are believed to be associated with decreases in certain catecholamine substances, including adrenaline and dopamine, found in urine samples.
In another study involving 61 children with ADHD, pycnogenol was administered each day at a rate of 1 milligram per kilogram of bodyweight. After 4 weeks of supplementation, the treatment group showed strong improvements in attention span compared to the placebo group.
Also, instances of hyperactivity were decreased significantly in the treatment subjects, but not in placebo group subjects. Finally, these beneficial results diminished to baseline levels after a few weeks of discontinuing the use of pycnogenol supplementation.
Pycnogenol Uses for Obesity & Weight Loss
The clinically proven lipolytic (fat burning) actions of pycnogenol may support weight loss and reduce risk factors linked to obesity. Glucose uptake into fat cells via the PI3K/Akt pathway seems to be increased with routine pine bark extract supplementation.
Using Pycnogenol can also increase sensitivity to both insulin and leptin and this supplement is observed to exhibit other anti-diabeted effects, such as helping to control blood sugar levels. Additionally, regular usage may inhibit the accumulations of fatty substances in the arteries and organs during periods of oxidative stress.
Studies involving mature fat cells, specifically 3T3-L1 adipocytes, showed H2O2 suppression during adipogenesis with 100mcg/mL doses of pycnogenol. Genes that promote the accumulation of fat in adipocytes, specifically PPAR-?, aP2 and CEBP-?, showed suppression at mRNA levels with doses between 100 and 225 mcg/mL.
Also at 200ug/mL doses, pycnogenol was shown to suppress G6PDH mRNA expression. This data implicates pycnogenol for further research concerning its ability to protect against the development of obesity – and numerous conditions that are caused directly by obesity, or correlated with obesity.
Other Therapeutic Uses of Pycnogenol
There are various other uses for which pycnogenol is being investigated. It has shown positive effects concerning the treatment of menopausal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, liver cirrhosis, systemic lupus, varicose veins, thrombosis, diabetes and prediabetes and a number of other ailments and diseases.
Clinical research and experimentation is ongoing to determine the full list of benefits associated with French pine bark extract supplementation.
Side Effects of Pycnogenol Uses
Through centuries of traditional usage and in clinical trials completed, there have only been a few mild side effects associated with using pine bark extracts. In rare cases, upset stomach and nausea may occur. If so, these adverse effects tend to pass quickly.
There are some possible contraindications associated with OTC and/or prescription drugs targeting diabetes, high blood pressure and immunity issues. Consult with a doctor before beginning to use Pycnogenol for ADHD, weight control, skin health, cardiovascular health and more.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Article last updated on: May 5th, 2018 by Nootriment