Pycnogenol: Benefits, Dosage, & BEST 5 Brands (2019 Guide)

Pycnogenol is an press out from the bark of the french nautical pine tree. First developed in 1947, this arboraceous supplement has been praised for decades for its aim ability to support healthy hearts, minds, hide, and more .
To save you time, we ’ ve studied inquiry to see whether these claims hold water. We ’ ve besides curated some of the best pycnogenol brands based on reviews, quality, price, and more .
In this guide:

top 5 Best Pycnogenol Brands

Best Pycnogenol Brand Overall

Viva Naturals – Pure Pycnogenol Capsules

sale

  • Pure pycnogenol
  • Most reviews
  • Highest ratings
60capsules capsules 100mgper capsule per capsule

Viva Naturals offers Amazon ’ s go-to pycnogenol supplement. Great for all purposes .
When it comes to positive pycnogenol reviews on Amazon, Viva Naturals takes the cake. It ’ randomness earned overwhelmingly positive feedback and has the largest numeral of reviews of any pycnogenol accessory on Amazon. It ’ s a dependable, easy pick for any of pycnogenol ’ s health benefits .

Best Value Pycnogenol

healthy Origins – Bulk Pycnogenol 100mg Capsules

  • Pure pycnogenol
  • Bulk options
  • Economical
60 ct: 120 ct: 150 ct:
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If you want more bang for your dollar, this bulk buy will get you the most inexpensive-per-dose pycnogenol addendum .
Pycnogenol can be a bit more expensive than many other herb tea supplements ( like ashwagandha or rhodiola ). This pycnogenol stigmatize offers 100 milligram capsules in 60, 120, and 150 count bottles, each increasingly cheaper per serving. And when it comes to incontrovertible pycnogenol reviews on Amazon, this brand is a top rival .

Best Pycnogenol Caplets

source Naturals – Quick-Dissolve Pycnogenol Caplets

  • Quick-dissolve
  • Minimal/no taste
  • Reputable brand
60capsules capsules 100mgper capsule per capsule

For those who prefer quick-dissolve caplets over vegetable capsules, this is the best pycnogenol addendum for you .
not everyone is a winnow of vegetable capsules. This pycnogenol supplement is one of the best quick-dissolve caplet options on the market. And while many caplet supplements leave an unpleasant smack, the pycnogenol reviews on Amazon bespeak there is short to no spirit .

Best Pycnogenol cream

DERMA E – Pycnogenol Moisturizing Cream
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  • High pycnogenol content
  • Vitamins A, C, and E
  • Economical

With a high level of pycnogenol enriched with vitamins, this is one of the best pycnogenol skim .
Although using pycnogenol cream international relations and security network ’ triiodothyronine vitamin a popular as ingesting the accessory, it can be beneficial. Research has shown that topical application of pycnogenol cream can help with irritate skin ( erythema ), which can be caused by things like sunburn. It can besides help with injure bring around, skin hydration, and skin elasticity. Further down, you can find more information of pycnogenol ’ second skin benefits .
We ’ ve selected DERMA E moisturizing cream because it has some of the highest levels of pycnogenol Amazon has to offer. This pycnogenol cream is a capital option for anyone want to improve skin health with this arboraceous supplement. It ’ s a fairly cheap way to nurture your skin with pycnogenol .

Best Pycnogenol Alternative

NusaPure – French Maritime Pine Bark Extract

  • Cheaper
  • Similar source
  • Positive reviews
200capsules capsules 150mgper capsule per encapsulate

Pycnogenol can be pricey. This french nautical ache bark educe is a comparable, economic alternative .
Pycnogenol is a well-research compound with a specific, patent manufacture summons, which makes it a small more expensive than some alternatives. That ’ mho why some people opt for obviously old pine bark excerpt .
This append is made from french maritime pine bark extract, the like tree from which pycnogenol is derived. Although the product processes and end products are different, it ’ s a comparable choice. For people who aren ’ thymine however sure whether pycnogenol can live up to its reputation, this is a cheaper option .

Health Benefits of Pycnogenol

With entirely a little bit of research, it ’ randomness easy to see that there ’ s a whole swerve of benefits of pycnogenol. But how much of this is marketing puffery, and how much is science ? Read on !

Pycnogenol Skin Benefits

many people like to use pycnogenol for clamber worry. But does science back up the ballyhoo ? Research over the by few decades has started to verify pycnogenol ’ mho skin benefits. here ’ s a brief overview .

  • Skin Hydration and Elasticity

respective studies have found that pycnogenol can help with healthier skin by boosting hydration and elasticity .
One study looked at the skin ’ s reception to supplementing pycnogenol in 20 healthy women. Their clamber was examined with several testing methods before and after the 12-week trial. By the end, pycnogenol had significantly improved hydration and elasticity of the skin. interestingly, this effect was strongest in women who had dry skin before the trial .

  • Pycnogenol and Psoriasis (Scaly, Flaky Skin)

psoriasis is a skin condition in which all in skin cells quickly build up in patches. Symptoms include flaky, lepidote, antsy, dry, bumpy, and/or reddened skin. A few studies have indicated the pycnogenol may help with psoriasis .
One study examined the effects of pycnogenol on subjects with moderate to austere psoriasis. After a 12-week trial, there were significant decreases in symptoms in the pycnogenol group compared to the control. notably, they showed a greater reduction in psoriasis surface area and severity. There was besides significantly less flaking and significantly more skin moisture in the pycnogenol group .
Black seed petroleum, an distill from a Middle Eastern herb, has similarly been shown to reduce psoriasis symptoms. Refer to our complete black seed oil guide for more data .

  • Pycnogenol and Melasma (Dark Splotches on Skin)

Melasma is a clamber condition manifested by iniquity splotches, often on the confront. These dark areas are the solution of hyperpigmentation, typically caused by increase sunday exposure .
many users of pycnogenol claim that the woodsy educe is able to alleviate these dark patches associated with chloasma. Supporting these claims, there is indeed some research to suggest pycnogenol may help with melasma .
One celebrated study looked at the effects of pycnogenol on thirty women suffering from chloasma. Each subject took 75 milligrams of pycnogenol per day for 30 days. Researches measured the total areas of chloasma, vitamin a well as pigmentation horizontal surface ( clamber shade ). At the end of the trial, the total melasma surface area had decreased by roughly 25%, and pigmentation had also decreased ( i.e., lighter peel ) .
These findings suggest pycnogenol may be effective in treating chloasma, with visible improvements in deoxyadenosine monophosphate little as 30 days. It ’ mho besides worth noting that 75 milligrams of pycnogenol day by day is a low dose compared to many early studies. Further research is needed to determine whether higher doses are more effective.

  • Pycnogenol and Erythema (Skin Redness)

Erythema, normally known as hide red, can have a set of deviation causes. From sunburn, to chafing clothes, to familial factors, most people will experience skin red from time to time. Some inquiry indicates pycnogenol may help reduce erythema .
One study examined the effects of pycnogenol on ultraviolet-induced red ( basically, sunburn ). The study found that with increase pycnogenol supplementation, significantly more ultraviolet light was needed in order to cause inflammation. Put merely, the skin was more resistant to sunburn. This was observed with doses of 1.10 milligrams and 1.66 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight for 4 weeks each .
A woman with cucumbers on her eyesPycnogenol has been shown to improve skin health.

Brain Health : Pycnogenol ’ s Nootropic Benefits

Pycnogenol is fairly democratic as a nootropic accessory, a classify of supplements that improve cognitive function. here are a few ways inquiry has shown that pycnogenol works as a nootropic supplement .

  • Memory

One study examined the effects of pycnogenol supplementation in healthy aged individuals. Subjects took 150 milligrams of pycnogenol daily for 3 months. Throughout the test, they demonstrated improvement in several cognitive areas, including both short-term and long-term memory .
Another study performed on healthy aged subjects similarly found an improvement in memory. After taking 100 milligrams of pycnogenol day by day for 12 months ( by far one of the longest trials ), subjects reported significantly improved long-term memory. This was reported via a standardize cognitive performance questionnaire .
Another study, this fourth dimension with students aged 18-27, similarly found memory-boosting effects with pycnogenol. After 8 weeks of supplement, those that took pycnogenol scored statistically better on cognitive tests than a see group. notably, the pycnogenol group demonstrated better memory .

  • Focus

In one of the studies cited above, pycnogenol was besides associated with boost in focus. In healthy aged subjects, 150 milligrams of pycnogenol daily resulted in a significant increase in focus and attention .
like findings were noted in the above-cited cogitation on scholar. After 8 weeks of pycnogenol supplement, students demonstrated increased sustained attention compared to a control group .

  • Cognitive Protection

neurological damage from oxidative stress plays a big part in the progress of Alzheimer ’ randomness disease. As such, pycnogenol ’ mho antioxidant effects have been examined in the context of this disease .
One animal learn did find that pycnogenol may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In rats, pycnogenol and vitamin E were supplemented in order to reduce artificially-induced, master levels of oxidative stress. After 2 weeks, the control rats demonstrated significant cognitive refuse. The pycnogenol rats, on the other handwriting, demonstrated much less decline .
A very matter to learn found that pycnogenol may help protect the brain following a traumatic brain injury. Regardless of dose, the researchers found that administering pycnogenol via IV injection importantly reduced indicators of mind injury in rats. They concluded that pycnogenol may exhibit neuroprotective effects following brain trauma. early animal inquiry has led to alike findings .

  • Effects on ADHD

One learn examined the effects of pycnogenol in 61 children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ). For 4 weeks, one group took 1 milligram of pycnogenol daily per kilogram of bodyweight. The early group was given a placebo. The results showed the pycnogenol significantly reduced hyperactivity while improving focus and hand-eye coordination. furthermore, the subjects relapsed back to their master condition within one calendar month after discontinuing pycnogenol. These findings suggest pycnogenol may be effective against ADHD symptoms in children .
Closeup of a hand holding a penResearch has shown that pycnogenol can boost memory and focus.

other Health Benefits

Pycnogenol has been praised as a means to support a set more than merely skin and mind health. here ’ s a brief overview of its other research-backed benefits .

  • Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

several studies have indicated that pycnogenol may be able to reduce the risk of heart disease .
One test pipe sketch found that pycnogenol was able to stimulate azotic oxide production. Nitric oxide, in turn, decreases levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) in the body. It besides inhibits brass buildup in the arteries. All of this indicates that pycnogenol may lead to a significant reduction in hazard of heart disease .
A human analyze found that pycnogenol may be able to reduce high blood pressur e. The 12-week, 58-subject study examined the effects of 100 milligrams of pycnogenol daily compared to a command. The analyze found a balmy reduction in blood coerce, indicating that pycnogenol may be effective against gently high rake pressure .
A meta-analysis of three trials examined the effects of aspirin vs. pycnogenol on blood platelet clumping in smokers. Platelet collection leads to blood clots, which are helpful for stopping bleed but are dangerous when they occur in veins and arteries. Smoking increases platelet collection, which in change by reversal increases gamble of affection disease .
The meta-analysis found that pycnogenol was effective in reducing blood platelet clumping. Furthermore, while aspirin significantly increased bleeding time due to decrease bunch, pycnogenol didn ’ thymine. The researchers found that one 200-milligram dose of pycnogenol was able to reduce smoking-induced lineage platelet clumping for over 6 days. These findings suggest that pycnogenol may reduce blood clot-related heart disease risk, particularly in smokers .

  • Anti-Inflammatory Effects

several studies have found that pycnogenol may be effective in reducing swelling and inflammation .
One such study specifically examined blood flow and swelling in the leg of forty subjects. Twenty of the subjects took 300 milligrams of pycnogenol casual for 60 days. Compared to the restraint group, pycnogenol was associated with a significant reduction of pain and swelling when measured at both 30 and 60 days. roughly 60 % of the pycnogenol-treated subjects had no swelling at all by the end of the test. No such changes were noted in the restraint group .
These findings indicate that pycnogenol may be effective in reducing ignition and swelling. In accession, it may be effective in reducing pain associated with these symptoms. Further research is needed on pycnogenol ’ s effects on swelling in other areas of the body .
Another survey examined the effects of pycnogenol on 100 subjects with knee pain ( osteoarthritis ). For 3 months, one group supplemented 150 milligrams of pycnogenol daily while the other took a placebo. Following treatment, the pycnogenol group demonstrated a significant reduction in pain, while the control group had no change. These findings promote suggest that pycnogenol may be effective in reducing pain and ignition .

  • Antimicrobial Effects

A few studies have shown that pycnogenol can be effective in fighting hostile microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi .
One noteworthy study examined the effects of pycnogenol against 23 unlike infective ( disease-causing ) microorganism. The study found even in concentrations deoxyadenosine monophosphate low as 0.025 %, pycnogenol was able to counteract the growth of all 23 microorganisms. This indicates that pycnogenol may be effective in killing or suppressing disease-causing microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi .

  • Antioxidant Effects

several studies have found that pycnogenol contains antioxidant compounds. One such study noted significant antioxidant effects in subjects taking 150 milligrams of pycnogenol day by day for 6 weeks. such findings indicate that pycnogenol may be effective in free root scavenge. This, in turn, would reduce the risk of oxidative stress, which can manifest symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and cognitive deficits .

  • Accelerated Wound Healing

One discipline examined the effects of pycnogenol on standardize wounds inflicted on rats. Gel was applied to the wounds as researchers monitored the wind size and tied of scabbing. One group was treated with gel containing 1 % pycnogenol, one with 2 % pycnogenol, one with 5 % pycnogenol, and one without pycnogenol .
The gel-only group healed in an average of 15.4 days. The 1 % pycnogenol group healed 1.6 days faster. The 2 % group healed about 3 days faster than the control condition. The 5 % pycnogenol group did heal faster than all others, but there was a less of an increase over the 2 % group. furthermore, the pycnogenol groups were left with smaller scars following curative. These findings suggest that pycnogenol may be effective in wound healing and scar prevention .

  • Effects on Asthma

A few studies have suggested that pycnogenol may be effective against asthma symptoms .
One study sought to examine the effect of pycnogenol on asthma. twenty-two patients completed the 8-week study. For the inaugural 4 weeks, one group was given 1 milligram of pycnogenol daily per pound of bodyweight. The other group was given a placebo. For the last 4 weeks, the regimen was switched. The study found that pycnogenol was effective in reducing symptoms and biological markers of asthma. The researchers ’ conclusion was that pycnogenol may be effective in managing chronic asthma .
Another cogitation examined the effects of pycnogenol on 60 asthmatic subjects from 6-18 years honest-to-god. Over the 3-month trial, subjects taking pycnogenol demonstrated significant improvement in asthma symptoms compared to the master. furthermore, they were able to lessen or discontinue use of inhalers more frequently than the operate group. These findings indicate that pycnogenol may be effective against childhood asthma .

  • Diabetic Symptoms and Conditions

Although it ’ s no cure for diabetes, pycnogenol has been shown to have an effect on certain diabetic symptoms and conditions .
For exercise, pycnogenol has been shown to lower glucose levels in diabetic subjects. In one study, researchers examined whether pycnogenol inhibits alpha-glucosidase ( noting that pycnogenol itself does not increase insulin secretion ). Put simply, alpha-glucosidase breaks down starches and sugars, increasing blood glucose levels .
The learn did find that pycnogenol inhibited alpha-glucosidase. With lower levels of alpha-glucosidase, lower lineage sugar levels were noted. This indicates that pycnogenol may be effective against hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in diabetic individuals .
Another example is diabetic retinopathy, a stipulate caused by damaged blood vessels in the back of the eyes. Symptoms start with identical meek sight problems, but can finally lead to blindness .
One promising meta-study examined the effects of pycnogenol on slowing diabetic retinopathy. Researchers analyzed five different trials examining a sum of 1,289 subjects. Their conclusion was that these studies overwhelmingly indicate that pycnogenol is effective in slowing and/or halting diabetic retinopathy. In some cases, vision actually improved .

  • Pycnogenol and Erectile Dysfunction

Some research indicates that pycnogenol may have an effect on erectile dysfunction .
As discussed above, pycnogenol has been shown to increase levels of azotic oxide in the body. erectile dysfunction can be caused by low levels of azotic oxide. Because of this, one learn sought to examine the effects of pycnogenol and l-arginine on erectile dysfunction .
The design of the study could have been more thorough, but its results are promising. Forty men with self-reported erectile dysfunction underwent a 3-month trial. During the first month, they took merely 1.7 grams of l-arginine casual. There was no statistically significant improvement in symptoms. In the second calendar month, subjects began taking 80 milligrams of pycnogenol daily. At this point, 80 % of the men reported convention erection. After taking 120 milligrams during the third base calendar month, 92.5 % of the men reported normal erection. These findings suggest pycnogenol may be effective in treating erectile dysfunction .
For more information on l-arginine and its impingement on birthrate and sexual health, refer to our accomplished l-arginine guide .

Pycnogenol dose

Based on current research, the ideal acid for pycnogenol is 100 to 300 milligrams per day. Although there is presently no official recommended dose, most studies on this append have used a day by day regimen within that range .
It ’ randomness important to note that even at the ideal dose, most people will probably not notice any beneficial effects for some time. Most research on pycnogenol has noted positive effects after respective weeks of supplementation. As such, a raw regimen of pycnogenol should last at least respective weeks.

Pycnogenol Side Effects

Reported side effects of pycnogenol are mild when supplemented in appropriate doses, according to user reports and the above-cited studies. These symptoms may include digestive discomfort, nausea, dizziness, and headaches .
unpleasant digestive side effects of pycnogenol are more probably on an evacuate stomach. Pycnogenol contains high levels of tannins, which can cause nausea on an empty stomach. ( Tannins are besides the primary coil reason drinking plain green or black tea while fasting can cause nausea. ) As such, it ’ s best to take pycnogenol with food .

compendious

Pycnogenol is a popular and fairly well-researched health addendum. Studies indeed far have demonstrated its healthy shock on the heart, hide, brain, and more. For anyone want to improve their mental and forcible health, this supplement is a great choice .

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