Pycnogenol (pik-NAH-juh-nol), is a natural plant extract from the bark of pine trees that grow in the Landes Forest of southwestern France. These pine trees contain concentrated levels of unique flavonoid compounds that support the body's ability to neutralize free radicals and offer extensive natural health benefits.

Pycnogenol contains flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities which helps in strengthening of blood capillaries. Pycnogenol is known to help lower blood pressure. Research shows that pycnogenol is 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C in its antioxidant properties and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E. Pycnogenol in particular has been found to be exceptionally useful against varicose veins and capillary fragility, swollen legs, diabetic retinopathy and other inflammatory conditions in veins and capillaries.

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Although often marketed solely for its antioxidant capabilities, research on Pycnogenol has proven that this supplement extract possesses a range of biochemical activities in the human body. Pycnogenol is not only one of the most powerful natural botanical antioxidants available today but assists your body to function optimally at a cellular level. It helps assure that your body’s cells are prepared to utilize the essential nutrients delivered to them. Some of the common benefits of Pycnogenol are given below:

• It has also been shown to be beneficial in cases of psoriasis.

• Pycnogenol has been shown to be a potent scavenger of oxygen free radicals.

• Pycnogenol inhibits the formulation of histamine, which is responsible for causing allergic reactions.

• Pycnogenol is able to inhibit certain proteolytic enzymes such as collagenase and elastase, which degrade the collagen and elastin in connective tissue, giving rise to such conditions as joint degeneration.

• Pycnogenol plays an important role in the support of the blood vessels as described earlier, and as a consequence of this it helps to support tissues and organs throughout the body that rely on adequate blood flow.

• Pycnogenol improves skin elasticity and smoothness during the ageing process, as well as protecting the skin against the harmful effects of the sun.

• Pycnogenol offers support to the circulatory system by neutralising free radicals in the blood stream, preventing radical build up and promoting the integrity of the vessel wall.

• Pycnogenol is important to brain function, not only because it protects blood vessels, but also because some of its bioflavonoids readily cross the blood-brain barrier to directly protect brain cells.

Side effects of Pycnogenol are rare & reported very few.