Pine bark extract is a supplement made from the inner bark of pine trees. It is rich in procyanidins, which are a type of polyphenol antioxidant. Procyanidins have been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving cardiovascular health, and protecting against cancer.
Benefits of pine bark extract
Pine bark extract has been shown to offer a number of health benefits, including:
- Reduced inflammation: Pine bark extract has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. This may be beneficial for a variety of conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Improved cardiovascular health: Pine bark extract has been shown to improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels. It may also help to protect against heart disease and stroke.
- Cancer prevention: Pine bark extract has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. It may help to prevent cancer by protecting cells from damage and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
- Improved skin health: Pine bark extract may help to improve skin health by reducing inflammation and protecting against sun damage. It may also help to reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.
What it does
- Antioxidant: Protects cell walls from damage by free radicals and helps maintian their elasticity.
- Cardiovascular health: Can help strengthen blood vessels in people with capillary fragility and reduce swelling of the veins in chronic venous insufficiency. May also be protective to the capilleries in the eyes. May also protect circulation by inhibiting platelet aggregation, lowering of cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure
- Anti-inflammatory: The proanthocyanidins in pine bark extract, have shown anti-inflammatory and radical-scavenging activity.
- Menstrual cramps: The application of Pycnogenol in reducing menstrual cramps and pain is probably caused by the muscle relaxant activity of the phenolic acids.
Impact of pine bark extract on human body
| Arthritis | Cardiovascular health | High blood pressure |
| Cholesterol | Dysmenorrhea |
Pine bark extract has a number of positive effects on the human body. It can help to reduce inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, prevent cancer, and improve skin health.
Here are some specific examples of the impact of pine bark extract on human health:
- Reduced risk of heart disease: Pine bark extract has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels.
- Improved cognitive function: Pine bark extract may help to improve cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain and protecting against oxidative damage.
- Reduced risk of cancer: Pine bark extract may help to reduce the risk of cancer by protecting cells from damage and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
- Improved skin health: Pine bark extract may help to improve skin health by reducing inflammation and protecting against sun damage. It may also help to reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Who should not take pine bark extract?
Pine bark extract is generally safe for most people to take. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any new supplements, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
Cautions
Generally, there are no side effects or contra-indications from using Pine bark extract. At the time of writing there were no well known negative drug interactions with Pine bark extract.
FAQ
Can you take pine bark extract everyday?
Yes, you can take pine bark extract everyday. It is generally safe for long-term use. However, it is important to start with a low dose and increase gradually as tolerated.
Does pine bark extract lower estrogen?
There is no evidence that pine bark extract lowers estrogen levels. In fact, some studies have shown that pine bark extract may actually help to balance estrogen levels.
Is pine bark extract the same as pycnogenol?
Pycnogenol is a branded form of pine bark extract. It is made from the bark of the French maritime pine tree. Pycnogenol is standardized to contain a certain level of procyanidins.
Pine bark extract vs pycnogenol
Pine bark extract and pycnogenol are both derived from the bark of pine trees. However, pycnogenol is a branded form of pine bark extract that is standardized to contain a certain level of procyanidins. This means that pycnogenol may be more consistent in terms of its quality and potency than other pine bark extract products.
Pycnogenol side effects
Pycnogenol is generally safe for most people to take. However, some people may experience mild side effects, such as stomach upset, headache, or diarrhea.
Pine bark extract dosage
The recommended dosage of pine bark extract varies depending on the condition you are using it for. However, a typical dosage is 100-200 mg per day.
Pine bark extract for skin
Pine bark extract may be helpful for improving skin health. It can be taken orally or applied topically to the skin.
To use pine bark extract topically for skin health, you can mix it with a moisturizer or lotion and apply it to the affected area. Alternatively, you can purchase a product that contains pine bark extract, such as a serum or cream.
