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7 Health Benefits from a Little Known Pine Tree
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6. Less Asthma Symptoms
A study involving test subjects between the ages of 6 and 18, who took pycnogenol for a three month period had much lower rates of asthma symptoms when compared to the placebo group. This study was done at Loma Linda University in California.
7. Diabetes Support
In a study involving 77 subjects with type 2 diabetes, this extract was shown to be effective in lowering glucose levels. This extract also improved diabetic micro-angiopathy and retinopathy. Retinopathy is a type of vision loss, especially for diabetic patients, caused by hemorrhages and vascular lesions. Treating these problems with pine bark extract helped to strengthen capillaries and stop blood leakage into the retina.
This extract is commonly taken via capsules or tablets however guidance for dosing levels is currently lacking. Many companies recommend doses of up to 360mg per day, but it should be noted that many products have not been standardized. Your pharmacist or doctor might be helpful in determining the appropriate dose for your condition.
Sources for this article include:
“Effect of Low-dose French Maritime Pine Bark Extract on Climacteric Syndrome in 170 Perimenopausal Women – A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial” T. Kohama, M. Negami, The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 2013, Vol. 58, pp. 39-46. Retrieved on July 25, 2014 from: Europepmc.org
“Therapuetic efficacy of pycnogenol in experimental inflammatory bowel diseases” Miyako Mochizuki and Noboru Hasegawa, Phytotherapy Research, 2005. Retrieved on July 25, 2014 from:Onlinelibrary.wiley.com
“Pycnogenol and Centella Asiatica for saymptomatic atherosclerosis progression” Belcaro G, Dugall M, Hosoi M, Ippolito E, Cesarone M, Luzzi R, Cornelli U, Ledda A, International Angiology: a Journal of the International Union of Angiology, 2014, Vol. 33, pp. 20-26. Retrieved on July 25, 2014 from: Europepmc.org
“Treatment of osteoarthritis with Pycnogenol. The SVOS (San Valentino osteo-arthrosis study). Evaluation of signs, symptoms, physical performance and vascular aspects” G. Belcaro, M. R. Cesarone, S. Errichi, C. Zulli, B. M. Errichi, G. Vinciguerra, A. Ledda, A. Di Renzo, S. Stuard, M. Dugall, L. Pellegrini, S. Errichi, G. Gizzi, E. Ippolito, A. Ricci, M. Cacchio, G. Cipollone, I. Ruffini, F. Fano, M. Hosoi and P. Rohdewald. Phytotherapy Research, 2008. Retrieved on July 25, 2014 from: Onlinelibrary.wiley.com
“PycnogenolR as an Adjunct in the Management of Childhood Asthma” Benjamin H.S. Lau, M.D., Ph.D., Sharon K. Riesen, M.D., Kim P. Truong, D.O., Esther W. Lau, M.S., R.D., Peter Rohdewald, Ph.D. and Ray A. Barreta, B.S., R.N., Journal of Asthma, 2004, Vol. 41, pp. 825-832. Retrieved on July 25, 2014, from: Informahealthcare.com
