Pycnogenol

Overview

Pycnogenol,French maritime pine bark extract, is the trademark name for an antioxidant blend of active bioflavonoids derived from the pine bark of a tree known as Pinus pinaster. Pycnogenal has an effective role in Allergies, Circulation problems, Retina Disease, Endurance, High blood pressure, Asthma in children and Varicose veins.

Aging Process

 Pycnogenol may inhibit some aspects of the Aging Process Mice receiving supplemental Pycnogenol aged less rapidly compared to mice not receiving supplemental Pycnogenol.  ^[1]

Cardiovascular System

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent Atherosclerosis.  ^[2]

 Pycnogenol may improve Blood Circulation. 

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting (platelet aggregation).  ^[3]

 Pycnogenol may reduce the permeability of and increases the strength of Capillaries.  It may also protect the Capillaries from attack by Free Radicals and may maintain the integrity of their Collagen content. 

 Pycnogenol (orally or topically) may alleviate Hemorrhoids (especially the bleeding associated with Hemorrhoids).  ^[4]

 Pycnogenol may help to lower elevated Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure patients (by stabilizing and protecting Vitamin E and by inhibiting the production and activation of the endogenous Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE)).  ^[5]

 Pycnogenol may alleviate Microangiopermeability (including Diabetic Microangiopathy).  ^[6]

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent and treat (viral) Myocarditis.  ^[7]

 Pycnogenol may protect the Cell Membranes of Red Blood Cells so that they remain flexible and allows them to easily squeeze through (one at a time) the very narrow Capillaries. 

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent Thrombosis (including Deep Vein Thrombosis).  ^[8]

 Pycnogenol may alleviate Varicose Veins and may help to prevent Varicose Veins.  ^[9]

 Pycnogenol may alleviate Venous Insufficiency.  ^[10]

Cells

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent abnormal Apoptosis (of Neurons).  ^[11]

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent damage to the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) content of Cells (due to the OPCs content of Pycnogenol).  ^[12]

 Pycnogenol exerts Antioxidant effects that may protect the Membranes of the Mitochondria from the toxic effects of Free Radicals generated during Energy production in the Mitochondria (primarily due to the Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) content of Pycnogenol). 

Eyes/Vision

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent Cataracts (by inhibiting the Aldose Reductase enzyme that is involved in the development of Cataracts).  ^[13]

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent Glaucoma.  ^[14]

 Pycnogenol may inhibit Lipid Peroxidation in the Retina.  ^[15]

 Pycnogenol may be a good treatment for (diabetic) Retinopathy (Pycnogenol strengthens the Capillaries that supply the Retina).  ^[16]

Immune System

 Pycnogenol may alleviate Allergies (by stabilizing the Cell Membranes of Mast Cells, causing them to be less reactive to Antigens and decreasing the ease with which they release their stored Histamine).  ^[17]

 Pycnogenol may stimulate the Apoptosis (cellular death) of Cancer - Breast cells.  ^[18]

 Pycnogenol may enhance the function of B-Lymphocytes.  ^[19]

 Pycnogenol may inhibit Helicobacter pylori.  ^[20]

 Pycnogenol may inhibit Inflammation.  ^[21]

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent and treat Leukemia.  ^[22]

 Pycnogenol may inhibit the conversion of the Nitrosamine named Methylnitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone (NNK) which is present in Tobacco smoke to its carcinogenic, toxic metabolites, thereby helping to prevent Cancer - Lung caused by this Nitrosamine. 

 Pycnogenol may be a useful adjunctive treatment for the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) form of Lupus Erythematosus.  ^[23]

 Pycnogenol may inhibit the release of Histamine from Mast Cells.  ^[24]

 Pycnogenol may restore the activity of (stimulates) NK Lymphocytes.  ^[25]

 Pycnogenol may help to prevent Cancer - Ovaries.  ^[26]

 Pycnogenol may enhance the function of T-Lymphocytes.  ^[27]

Metabolism

 Pycnogenol possesses powerful Antioxidantscapabilities - it is claimed to possess Antioxidant capabilities that are fifty times more potent than those of Vitamin E and 20 times more potent than those of Vitamin C:  ^[28]