by Leesha Chamberlain
June 28, 2014
Pycnogenol is one of those natural cures that has been in existence for ages but has only recently seen a real increase in acceptance and major use. This unique treatment option delivers a variety of health benefits including regulating blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain, which makes it a great option for treating a wide array of common ailments.
What Is Pycnogenol?
MedlinePlus defines pycnogenol as the U.S. registered trademark for a product that originates from the bark of a pine tree classified as Pinus pinaster. However, the compound can also be derived from other sources, such as peanut skin, grape skin, and witch hazel bark.
According to a comprehensive article offered by Natural Products that Make a Difference, pycnogenol is a water-based extract. Additionally, the compound is particularly safe and effective because pine trees from which the supplement is derived are free of toxic solvents and contain no pesticides.
The extract contains specific bioflavonoids. These same nutrients are found in fresh fruits and vegetables; however, they are more concentrated in pycnogenol. As such, the nutritional supplement is effective for treating and preventing an assortment of health maladies.
What Health Benefits Does Pine Bark Offer?
Life Extension Magazine reports that pycnogenol contains specific phyto-molecules that are primarily responsible for delivering the serum’s health benefits. The nutrient has been reported to fight many of the main causes of ill-health and disease. Pine bark is one of the most effective natural free radical scramblers, a characteristic that also makes the nutrient compound effective for eliminating oxidant stress, inflammation, damage to DNA, glycation, and damage to cell membranes. With all of these attributes and more, pycnogenol delivers a number of different health benefits.
1. Strengthens Your Immune System
One of the most important benefits of pine bark is that it actively strengthens your immune system. This nutrient complex helps eliminate toxic waste in your body and revitalizes it with a number of important nutrients.
2. Improves Your Circulatory System
Pycnogenol cares for your circulatory system in a variety of ways. Upon taking the serum as a daily supplement, it begins to strengthen the walls of your blood vessels as well as your capillaries. It also helps prevent stress-induced constriction in your arteries. It even prevents blood clotting and build up throughout your body.
3. Relieves Pain
Pine bark contains a number of different nutrient systems, one of which is important for pain reduction. The main compounds in pycnogenol help fight pain and inflammation throughout your body. It also helps to lower stress, so you experience pain with a lower intensity.
4. Rejuvenates Skin
We love a fresh, youthful glow as much as the next person, and this nutrient supplement helps you achieve just that. Pine bark binds to and protects collagen, helping keep your skin smooth and tight. It also blocks enzymes and free radicals that break down collagen and elastin, so you develop fewer wrinkles. Pycnogenol even deters photo-ageing caused by overexposure to the sun. And, with a unique ability to restore circulation, pine bark nourishes your skin with plenty of water and oxygen and removes toxins and waste products, so that your skin is replenished and looks its best.
5. Reduces Stress
Living in such a fast-paced world, we all have the tendency to get stressed from time to time, but pycnogenol can help you avoid that. This extract functions to counterbalance the increase in blood pressure that accompanies an increase in stress. It also helps promote circulation, so you always feel your best.
6. Prevents Damage to Your Blood Vessels
A number of common conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, have an adverse effect on your veins and arteries. Pycnogenol is one way to counteract that damage, as it functions to reinforce your blood vessels and promote effective flow of blood throughout your body.
7. Supports Oxygen Flow
Another important attribute of pycnogenol is it supports adequate oxygen supply throughout your body. When you are participating in sports or exercise, your body is under oxidative stress, which increases your metabolism and an increase in oxygen consumption. Pine bark helps your body best utilize that oxygen and protects it from additional free radicals so you are always able to perform your best.
What Conditions Is It Used to Treat?
With all of these health benefits, pycnogenol is effective for treating an assortment of health conditions. According to WebMD, a recommended amount of pycnogenol taken by mouth is 50 to 100 mg three times a day. This dosage is effective for treating issues including poor circulation, high blood pressure, ringing in the ears, diabetes, endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, and heart disease. You can also use a serum formula applied to your skin to improve your skin’s appearance, prevent aging, and spot-treat muscle pain.
Let us know if pycnogenol has cured you of any ailments!
References:
All About Pycnogenol - http://www.quantumhealth.com/news/pycnogenol_about.html
Pycnogenol - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1019.html
Pycnogenol - http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1019-PYCNOGENOL.aspx?activeIngredientId=1019&activeIngredientName=PYCNOGENOL
Pycnogenol: Multi-Modal Defense Against Aging - http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/ aug2012_Pycnogenol_01.htm
