Supplements Pycnogenol

In reading that chapter, you ll want to pay particular attention to the supplement Pycnogenol, derived from French maritime pine trees. Pycnogenol has been seen to increase nitric oxide production within the arteries. 

Passwater RA (2005) Pycnogenol nature s most versatile supplement. Jack ChaUem Series Editor, Basic Health Publications Inc, North Bergen, NJ, USA... 

Most patients at the end of the twelve-week study had normal blood pressure readings and were able to cut the dosages of their drug literally in half, from 20 mg per day to just 10 mg per day, by supplementing it with 100 mg per day of Pycnogenol. 

The standardized extract from the bark of the French maritime pine is one of the most utilized heibal-sourced food supplements in the world. It is patented under the brand name of Pycnogenol ,... 

More recently, it has been shown that supplementation with Pycnogenol in human subjects is associated with a significant increase of total plasma antioxidant capacity. This observation confirms that the antioxidant capacity of the mixture is bioavailable, indirectly supporting the bioavailability of Pycnogenol components. 

Reeently, Saliou and coworkers have reported that oral supplementation of Pyenogenol reduees UV-induced erythema in the hitman skin and also significant inhibits the aetivatiorr, the binding to DNA, and the NF-rcB-dependent gene expression in the immortalized human keratinoeyte cell line HaCaT. In the same eontext, Pycnogenol has been observed to proteet GSH levels and to partially suppress the cytotoxicity induced by UV treatment, both in human primary keratinoeytes and in HaCaT cells. ... 

Pycnogenol is a plant extract gaining worldwide popularity as a dietary supplement because of its diversified profile of beneficial effects in human health. Its buffering mechanism may help in reducing the toxic effects of anticancer dmgs having a prooxidant nature. 

The use of Pycnogenol as a dietary supplement may help to reduce the risk of cancer. There is ample clinical and experimental evidence indicating that Pycnogenol s strong and bioavailable antioxidant capacity places it at the top rank of biological substances to be considered beneficial for human redox balance. 

Drehsen, G., From ancient pine bark uses to Pycnogenol, in Antioxidant Food Supplements in Human Health, Hiramatzu, M., Packer, L., and Yoshikawa, T., Eds., Academic Press, San Diego, 1998. 

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