Help Maintain the Health of Your Joints, Eyes, Ears, Heart, Brain, and Skin with Clinical Grade Pycnogenol
For years now Dr. Whitaker has been recommending Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) French maritime pine extract for its numerous health benefits. And he's not alone in praising this versatile superstar nutrient. Over the past two decades, hundreds of scientific publications and clinical trials have revealed the beneficial effects of Pycnogenol for your joints, eyes, ears, heart, and skin health. In fact, it is one of the most well-researched, branded ingredients available on the market—if not the most researched. As a matter of fact, Pycnogenol has been and continues to be well researched, and the health press has taken note. Pycnogenol has been written about and featured in multiple publications such as Fitness, Health, Shape, Good Housekeeping, Women's World Today, and Better Nutrition.
Pycnogenol is a patented extract of maritime pine bark, grown exclusively in the pristine Les Landes de Gascogne forest of southwest France. There are other generic "pine bark" extracts out there. However, Pycnogenol is the only pine bark extract shown in extensive human clinical studies to have remarkable benefits for such a wide variety of health needs.
Nature's Super Antioxidant
Pycnogenol—considered a super antioxidant—has been clinically studied and shown to support the function of the endothelium (the innermost layer of cells lining the blood vessels) and promote a proper inflammatory response. Fortunately, Pycnogenol is an extremely powerful antioxidant that counters oxidative stress and increases the activity of vitamin C, glutathione, and other antioxidants. Addressing oxidative stress before it starts allows blood vessels to function optimally. At varying dosages, Pycnogenol supports the health of your skin, eyes, ears, and joints, and aids in blood sugar support and normal cognitive, sexual, circulatory, and vascular function.
1. Vascular and Circulatory Health (150–200 mg/daily)
In addition to its powerful antioxidant properties, Pycnogenol may help increase levels of nitric oxide (NO). NO is an important signaling molecule in cells throughout the body. Produced in the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels, NO supports the health of the blood vessels and dilates the smooth muscles of the small arteries. As a result, Pycnogenol not only helps strengthen the blood vessel walls and capillaries but also supports healthy circulation.
2. Blood Pressure Health (150 mg/daily)
Pycnogenol's positive effects on NO production and endothelial function help promote normal blood pressure.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, individuals were given 125 mg of Pycnogenol or a placebo daily. Supplementation with Pycnogenol helped promote healthy blood pressure levels, with statistically significant reductions in markers of blood vessel constriction.1
3. Joint Health (200 mg/daily)
Age-related wear and tear can affect the health and comfort of your joints. And maintaining a proper inflammatory response in your joints is a necessary part of healthy joint function. Pycnogenol helps provide that proper inflammatory response. In clinical trials, Pycnogenol has been shown to lower CRP and promote healthy knee function.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, individuals taking 200 mg/daily of Pycnogenol had significant improvements in joint discomfort, function, and performance on a treadmill.2 In another clinical study, Pycnogenol lowered CRP by 72%, while only an 8% reduction was observed with the placebo.3
4. Ear Health and Cochlear Blood Flow (150 mg/daily)
Occasional tinnitus can be a common and annoying problem related to normal aging. But maintaining the health of the blood vessels and supporting proper circulation in the inner ear can help. Because Pycnogenol boosts NO production and promotes proper blood flow, it helps microcirculation to the cochlea (the hearing center), which may help reduce occasional ringing and support the overall health of your inner ear.
In a six-month study at the Chieti-Pescara University in Italy, a group of individuals took 150 mg/daily of Pycnogenol or a placebo.
- When they were retested after three and six months, individuals taking Pycnogenol had significant improvement in inner ear blood flow, compared to the placebo group.4
- At three months, 45% of those taking Pycnogenol had improvements in occasional ringing in the ears compared with 23% in the control group.5
5. Eye Health (150–200 mg/daily)
Supporting vision is especially important as we age and Pycnogenol shines when it comes to promoting eye health. Pycnogenol supports healthy retinal blood vessels and microcirculation in the retina.
In a three-month study, individuals who took Pycnogenol had 30% greater improvements in retinal blood flow compared to those taking the placebo. Pycnogenol also improved scores of dilated ophthalmology (a measure of retinal swelling), visual acuity, and retinal thickness.6
6. Skin Health (50–300 mg/daily)
Like other organs, your skin depends on healthy blood vessels and robust blood flow to deliver antioxidants and other nutrients and maintain optimal function. Pycnogenol generates NO, which relaxes the blood vessels and consequently allows for healthy blood flow to the skin. Pycnogenol's potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity reduces inflammation for proper skin elasticity and smoothness.
In a four-week, placebo-controlled study, participants who took 100–200 mg/daily of Pycnogenol had significant reductions in redness of the skin due to inflammation, compared to those taking a placebo. A parallel in vitro study indicated that Pycnogenol does this by inhibiting markers of inflammation.7
7. Cognitive Health, Mental Performance, and Attention (150 mg/daily)
Increased levels of NO are also beneficial for cognitive health. NO is synthesized in the brain, where it functions as a neurotransmitter and is involved in memory and learning. Pycnogenol, which may help increase levels of NO, helps support mental performance, attention, and overall cognitive function.
In a recent Pycnogenol study in the Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences, 150 mg a day of Pycnogenol was shown to support mental performance, attention, and memory; improve mood; and reduce oxidative stress by 30%.8
Clinical grade Pycnogenol is Dr. Whitaker's number one trusted source of pine bark, and the only one he recommends. No other nutrient can do more for so many health concerns. For these reasons and more, you'll find Pycnogenol in Ocular Pressure & Retina Defense™ and Nitric Oxide CardioBoost™. And this standalone formula allows you to easily adjust your dose depending on your own health needs.
1Zibadi S, et al. Nutr Res. 2008;28(5):315–20
2Belcaro G, et al. Phytother Res. 2008;22(4):518–23
3Belcaro G, et al. Redox Rep. 2008;13(6):271–76
4Grossi MG, et al. Panminerva Med. 2010;52(2 Suppl 1):63–7
5Luzzi R, et al. Minerva Med. 2014;105(3):245–54
6Steigerwalt R, et al. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2009;25(6):537–40
7Saliou C, et al. Free Radic Biol Med. 2001;30(2):154–60
8Belcaro G, et al. J Neurosurg Sci. 2014;58(4):239–48
