pycnogenol

Pycnogenol- what the hell is that i hear you ask? Well so did i when i first came across it. As i have researched many different herbs and supplements for varicose veins it was inevitable that i would come across pycnogenol. It is actually the trade name for an extract of the bark of french maritime pine.

Pycnogenol is one of the most researched supplements around, with hundreds of clinical trials conducted. After searching through Medline (click on the link and type pycnogenol in the search box) there are around 136 results. Medline rated pycnogenol a "B" grade for the quality of scientific evidence related to treating chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) This was the highest grade given to pycnogenol for any of its clinical benefits.

CVI can cause swelling in the legs, itching, cramps, colouring of the skin (brown patches) and varicose and spider veins. I have most of these symptoms, apart from the swelling which was cured by my second operation. One study showed that pycnogenol was significantly better at reducing swelling than the prescription drug "daflon". Pycnogenol also significantly increased tissue oxygen and lowered CO2, pointing towards an improvement in circulation to the legs.

Pycnogenol helps to reduce the effects of free radicals. Free radicals oxidise our cells and damage them. Think of it as metal rusting over time, or an apple going brown. Free radicals are widely thought to cause aging. Pycnogenol has very powerful anti-oxidant capabilities to combat this, and it also strengthens blood vessel walls and capilliaries. Fresh fruit and vegetables contain anti-oxidants, which is why they are so beneficial to your health.

Some of the other studies i have read show that pycnogenol is beneficial in cardiovascular health, including blood pressure, strokes and cholesterol reduction. Pycnogenol significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) and increased HDL cholesterol (good) in two thirds of subjects. 6 weeks after the study, when the subjects had stopped taking pycnogenol, the LDL changes had reversed, but the HDL levels stayed the same.

Yet more studies have shown that pycnogenol can benefit skin conditions such as wrinkle reduction, sun protection, wound healing and skin elasticity. It has also shown significant results in asthma and hay fever, muscle recovery, cramp reduction and erection problems.

If you would like to try pycnogenol

click here (US) or click here (UK)

Rating= 9/10

Read my testimonial and find out why pycnogenol gets such a high rating