Posts Tagged Pycnogenol

Pine Bark Extract and Pycnogenol

July 23, 2009 at 8:08 pm · Filed under Cancer Prevention, Colorado Nutrition, Extracts, Pine Bark, VirtuVites, antioxidants ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Pinus_pinasterOne of the most often asked questions we get is: What is the difference between Pycnogenol and Pine Bark Extract?

Pine Bark Extract (Pinus pinaster) is harvested from maritime pine tree bark. Though there haven’t been many clinical studies at this time, early lab results show possible benefits such as:

  • Pine Bark Extract may lower the blood sugar levels of some diabetic patients.
  • Pine Bark Extract possibly reduces swelling from a circulation disorder called chronic venous insufficiency.
  • Pine Bark Extract may have antioxidant properties.

The active ingredient in Pine Bark Extract is a naturally-occuring chemical called proanthocyanidins. There are many brands that contain this chemical (in differing compounds) and they all serve the same essential function.

So what’s the difference?
Pycnogenol is a registered brand name that refers to the same chemical harvested using a method patented in 1951 by Dr. Jacques Masquelier. Pycnogenol is Pine Bark Extract harvested from a tree in France in such a way that it costs four or five times as much as other brands.

(Pine Bark Extract; American Cancer Society; )

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5 Benefits of Pine Bark Extract

May 27, 2009 at 6:18 pm · Filed under Benefits, Extracts, Pine Bark ·Tagged , ,

Pine Bark Extract, or Pycnogenol, is an antioxidant, and may help boost the effects of vitamin C and other antioxidants, according to a UC Berkeley scientists report.

Here are 4 more potential benefits of Pine Bark Extract:

1. Reduces Osteoarthritis Knee Pain.
A study published in the journal Nutrition Research reveals Pycnogenol improved physical function by 52 percent in patients suffering from Osteoarthritis.

2. Cuts Jet Lag in Half .
In a study published in the journal Minerva Cardioangiologica, Pine Bark Extract reduced symptoms of jet lag including feeling exhausted, headaches, insomnia and brain swelling.

3. Reduces Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Diabetics.
According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona and published in the journal Nutrition, Pine Bark Extracts can lower blood pressure in diabetes patients, thereby reducing their risk of heart attacks.

4. Reduces Menstrual Pain.
A study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, shows women with dysmenorrhea, a condition that causes extremely painful menstrual periods, who supplemented with Pine Bark Extract experienced less pain and required less pain medications during menstruation.

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