Published in “Life Sciences,” the double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that 58 participants who took prescribed high blood pressure medication were able to cut the dosage in half when they supplemented with French maritime pine tree bark extract, Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all).
“These particularly significant results add even more strength to research concluding that control of blood pressure is aided with supplementation of the extract. Taking into account its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and its diverse anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions, we suggest that French maritime pine tree bark extract offers a broad spectrum of protection for the patient with high blood pressure,” said Peter Rohdewald, Ph. D., Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Munster and one of the authors of this study. “With high blood pressure affecting 1 out of every 4 American adults due to stress, higher age and obesity, heart specialists worldwide continue to turn their attention to the abilities of this powerful antioxidant.”
Demonstrating the theory that antioxidants are integral to a healthy heart regimen, in addition to reducing high blood pressure, the ingredient’s heart health benefits include lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol, reducing platelet activity, relaxing artery constriction and improving circulation. With this solid evidence on the botanical extract’s benefit for cardiovascular and circulatory health, experts in the industry are beginning to believe that it is a natural cardiovascular health alternative that the body can use to strengthen and protect the heart.
Pycnogenol® is the brand name of a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination procyanidins and bioflavonoids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. It has been widely studied for the past thirty-five years and has more than 120 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol® is available in over 140 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide.