In a promising natural path breakthrough for fibromyalgia sufferers, a new peer-reviewed and published pilot study shows that daily supplementation with Pycnogenol® may support the reduction of symptoms associated with the condition, including fatigue, migraines, and stiffness. In the study, Pycnogenol®, French maritime pine bark extract significantly reduced oxidative stress and the need for analgesics.
Data shows fibromyalgia affects an estimated 3-6% of the world population[1], and nearly 70 percent of people with fibromyalgia are undiagnosed[2].
“Despite being relatively common, idiopathic myalgic pain, also known as fibromyalgia, remains a highly misunderstood condition, often met with skepticism and misdiagnosis due to its many nonspecific symptoms,” says natural health physician Dr. Fred Pescatore. “Fibromyalgia is a chronic and debilitating condition that causes severe widespread pain throughout the body, often categorized by chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, cognitive and mood disturbances, interstitial cystitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.”
Pycnogenol® is a powerful antioxidant supported by an extensive catalogue of clinical research showing its anti-inflammatory benefits and ability to normalize oxidative stress levels. Oxidative stress often inflames symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, making it difficult for the body to recover naturally.
“It is not clear what causes the pain associated with fibromyalgia, yet we know oxidative stress is a key contributing factor,” says Dr. Fred Pescatore. “This study reveals a potentially safe, effective, and natural path to the management of fibromyalgia symptoms that have historically left sufferers frustrated.”
The study, published in Panminerva Medica, was conducted on 50 female subjects, with an average age of 47, over four weeks. Participants had idiopathic fibromyalgia with moderate symptoms and elevated levels of oxidative stress. Participants were divided into two groups: a control group following a standard management routine of daily stretching, aerobic exercise, local heat application, sleep, and meditation, and a Pycnogenol® test group that supplemented with 150 mg of Pycnogenol® daily in addition to following the same standard management routine.
The most common fibromyalgia symptoms/complaints were evaluated as present or absent and re-evaluated after 4 weeks. Oxidative stress was measured as plasma free radicals from a drop of blood.
Results showed that supplementation with 150mg of Pycnogenol® daily provided a striking improvement of significant symptoms, including:
- 54% decrease in the number of subjects with stiffness pain (vs 17% in the control group)
- 58% reduction in the number of subjects with widespread pain (vs 38% in the control group)
- 58% reduction in the number of subjects with pain that worsens with fatigue (vs 14% in the control group)
- 54% decrease in the number of subjects with fatigue (vs 21% in the control group)
- 55% reduction in the number of subjects with mental cloudiness (vs 5% in the control group)
- 71% decrease in the number of subjects with IBS symptoms (vs 8% in the control group)
- 100% decrease in the number of subjects with interstitial cystitis symptoms (vs 25% in the control group)
- 64% reduction in the number of subjects with migraines (vs 20% in the control group)
- 63% reduction in the number of subjects with headaches (vs 13% in the control group)
- 70% decrease in the number of subjects with occurrences of paresthesia (vs 14% in the control group)
- 35% decrease in the number of subjects with perceived stress levels (vs 5% in the control group)
Participants in the Pycnogenol® test group also reported less need for NSAIDs and corticosteroids, drugs typically used to manage fibromyalgia symptoms, and a 17 percent reduction of oxidative stress.
