GENEVA, Switzerland – Good news for travelers. A new peer-reviewed, published study shows that natural French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol® is effective in reducing lower leg swelling known as edema and relieving jet lag often associated with long-haul flights and road trips.
Edema is one of the major risk factors of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and can result from lack of activity or being confined in a small space, like an airplane or car, for long periods of time. According to the CDC, each year as many as 900,000 people in the U.S. are affected by life-threatening blood clots formed in the lower leg[1], known as DVT, and studies show that 10 percent of long haul air passengers[2] may be at risk, and hypertension can put individuals at higher risk[3].
“Edema is common when traveling, especially on long flights and rides. For some people, it can be painful and, given the risk of a blood clot, it can be dangerous. Controlling edema lowers the risk of DVT and translates to healthier and more comfortable travel. This research shows there is a reliable, safe and natural option for travelers,” said renowned natural health physician, Dr. Fred Pescatore.
A Natural Solution to Reduce Edema
The study, published in Minerva Cardioangiologica, tested 295 individuals at varying risk levels for thrombosis, flying in economy class twice a week for more than eight hours. Three groups were tested – a control group, a group wearing compression stockings and a group supplementing with Pycnogenol®. These participants supplemented with 150mg of Pycnogenol® daily during the three days leading up to their travel, and the three days following.
Study participants were tested using D-dimer tests to detect blood clots and ultrasound scanning to study vein compression before and after each flight. Results show that along with standard measurement practices, study participants who supplemented with Pycnogenol® experienced significant improvement of their edema symptoms, including:
· Significant reduction of edema in the lower legs and ankle circumference compared to control groups (22.4 cm Pycnogenol® / 23.3 cm Control / 22.6 cm Stockings)
· Decrease in study participants who reported leg pain after flights (6 percent Pycnogenol® / 17 percent Control / 19 percent Stockings)
“This study finds that Pycnogenol® is even more effective in reducing edema than other common preventative measures, like compression stockings, for reducing swelling. This natural supplement, which is available in more than 700 products worldwide, is a beneficial natural alternative for travelers who have tolerability issues with aspirin,” said Dr. Pescatore.
Pycnogenol® Relieves Jet Lag Symptoms
Nearly 93 percent of all travelers experience jet lag[4], according to the American Sleep Association. In addition to the reported benefits for edema symptoms, participants in this new research also showed notable improvement in the following jet lag symptoms:
· Improved sleep quality
· Enhanced synchronization
· Reduced fatigue
· Improved visual impairment
· Boosted cognitive function
“Jet lag can stress your immune system and contribute to higher risk to catch a cold or the flu when traveling. A natural option to relieve jet lag, without the common over-the-counter side effects, can help travelers feel more rested and ready,” said Dr. Pescatore.
Pycnogenol® is a powerful super-antioxidant shown in decades of research to boost blood circulation and act as a natural anti-inflammatory. This new study supports previous research examining Pycnogenol®’s benefits for reducing venous conditions and managing jet lag symptoms.
To review clinical research and additional information on Pycnogenol®, visit www.Pycnogenol.com. Pycnogenol® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements and multi-vitamins worldwide.
About Pycnogenol®
Pycnogenol® is 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 of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and phenolic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 40 years and has more than 340 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com.
About Horphag Research
Horphag Research is the distributor for Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) brand French maritime pine bark extract, French oak wood extract on behalf of Horphag Research. Pycnogenol® are registered trademarks of Horphag Research. For its patented ingredient, Pycnogenol®, Horphag Research has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award, Nutraceutical Business & Technology Safety & Quality Award, SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and The American Botanical Council’s Tyler Research Award. Horphag Research has the exclusive rights to market and sell Pycnogenol® and benefits from more than 40 years of scientific research assuring the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol® as a dietary supplement. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com and .
[1]Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Venous Thromboembolism, February 5, 2018
[2] Cesarone MR, Meli E. Volare con Sicurezza. Jet-lag. Il problema dell’edema e della trombosi in voli di lunga durata. Turin, Italy: Edizioni Minerva Medica; 2001; Belcaro G, Cessarone MR, Steigerwalt RJ, Di Renzo A, Grossi MG, Ricci A, et al. Jet-lag: prevention with Pycnogenol. Preliminary Report: evaluation in healthy individuals and in hypertensive patients. Minerva Cardioangiol 2008; 56 (5 Suppl):3-9; Belcaro G, Cessarone MR, Shah S. Prevention of edema, flight microangiopathy and venous thrombosis in long flights with elastic stockings. A randomized trial: The LONFLIT 4 Concorde Edema-SSL Study. Angiology 2002: 53:635-45
[3] Goldhaber, S. MedScape, Hypertension Affects VTE Too, November 19, 2015
[4]Americans Sleep Association, Jet Lag