[Effects of Pycnogenol] 3 Benefits of Pycnogenol, From Menopause to Blood Circulation Health

Hello, I am Jinny, a pharmacist.

Today I would like to introduce an ingredient called Pycnogenol. Although it is an unfamiliar ingredient to many people, it is already a highly popular ingredient overseas. It can be said that what ginseng is to Korea is to pycnogenol in the West. Pycnogenol is an ingredient extracted from pine bark on the southwest coast of France and contains various flavonoids, including procyanidin, which is known to inhibit oxidation in the body. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also recognized the functionality of Pycnogenol, which “can help remove free radicals, inhibit platelet aggregation, and help improve the health of menopausal women.”

Now, let's look at the benefits you can get from consuming Pycnogenol through research papers

Pycnogenol stimulates the synthesis of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), which lowers blood pressure, improves cerebral microcirculation, and increases neurotransmitter production. This positive effect on the vascular and nervous systems is also known to improve menopausal symptoms.

In relation to this, a paper published in Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica in 2007 revealed that in an experiment targeting menopausal women suffering from discomfort such as fatigue, headache, and anxiety, menopausal symptoms were improved when consuming pycnogenol.

The vascular endothelium is an epithelial tissue that comes in contact with the lumen of the blood vessel. It normally maintains blood flow by preventing blood clots from forming, but when the blood vessel is injured, it triggers a coagulation process. It also plays an immune surveillance role, recognizing pathogens and foreign substances circulating in the blood. Pycnogenol activates eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), which promotes the production of NO (nitric oxide), which facilitates blood flow through vasodilation and lowers blood pressure. Therefore, when consuming Pycnogenol, the function of the endothelial cells of blood vessels improves.

In relation to this, a paper was published in the European Heart Journal in 2012 showing that vascular endothelial function was improved when Pycnogenol was consumed in patients with coronary artery disease.

When endothelial function is impaired and the formation of nitric oxide (NO) is reduced, platelet activity increases, increasing the risk of blood clots. If a blood clot occurs in the coronary artery of the heart, a myocardial infarction occurs, and if a blood clot occurs in the brain, a cerebral thrombosis occurs. Due to the previously mentioned effect of pycnogenol that promotes the production of nitric oxide, consuming pycnogenol is known to help normalize platelet activity.

In this regard, a paper published in Thrombosis research in 1999 reported that platelet aggregation activated by smoking was inhibited by Pycnogenol intake.

Today, we looked at the benefits of consuming Pycnogenol through research papers. Pycnogenol has been studied for a relatively long time and is therefore considered safe. However, if you are taking anti-thrombotic or anti-coagulant medications, you should be careful because the bleeding tendency may increase. Also, taking Pycnogenol on an empty stomach may cause some stomach discomfort, so we recommend taking Pycnogenol after a meal.

I hope you have a healthy day both physically and mentally. This was Jinny.