The Amazing Medicinal Benefits of Pycnogenol
The pine tree is associated with strength, and its scent with astringent cleanliness. So it’s not surprising that a substance taken from a type of pine tree would turn out to have powerful properties. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract, made from French maritime pine bark.
The extract from this tree is renowned for a variety of benefits and has been used for years medicinally. Pycnogenol has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and helps to produce nitric acid, which aids in dilating blood vessels. As well as helping to open up these vessels up, the powerful extract helps to make blood platelets less sticky, reducing the risk of dangerous blood clots.
Pycnogenol is backed by more than 40 years of research demonstrating its safety and effectiveness for many health benefits, including heart health. Most recently, a 2017 study revealed that daily supplementation with this extract can help reduce cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, in perimenopausal women. Additional studies have shown that Pycnogenol can help lower LDL cholesterol, and reduce metabolic syndrome risk factors like high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar.
Pycnogenol is a super-antioxidant supplement that can be found around the world, and is one to watch for on the shelves and consider adding to your nutrition regimen for heart protection.