|
Pine Bark
Scientific Name: Pine Bark Extract Other Names: French Marine Pine Bark Extract, French Maritime Pine Bark Extract, Leucoanthocyanidins, OPC, Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, PCO, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinaster, Procyandiol Oligomers, Procyanodolic Oligomers, Pycnogenol, Pygenol Who is this for? Uses The most common use of pine bark extract is to prevent and treat a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when valves in the veins that carry blood back to the heart are weak or damaged and blood collects in the veins of the legs. This collection of blood can lead to varicose veins, spider veins, or sores on the legs. Results that are more serious can include blood clots in the legs. Bioflavonoids called proanthocyanidins in pine bark extract help keep veins and other blood vessels from leaking. Because it strengthens the walls of all blood vessels, pine bark extract may also be effective for slowing retinopathy, the gradual break down of the retina in the eyes. Individuals with arteriosclerosis (a build up of fatty deposits in the arteries), diabetes, or other conditions that increase the likelihood for damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes are more likely to have serious vision problems as a result of blood vessel damage. Pine bark extract has antioxidant activity. Therefore, taking it helps to limit free radicals -- chemicals that are produced during the breakdown of foods in the body and that can damage cells. Since exercise can produce free radicals, some athletes use pine bark extract to improve their exercise performance. Similarly, some men use pine bark extract because its antioxidant effects are thought to improve fertility by increasing sperm quality and movement. Because pine bark extract may increase the body's production of nitric oxide, a chemical involved in male sexual response, it may also be useful in treating erectile dysfunction. Some evidence appears to show that pine bark extract could be helpful for other chronic conditions. In a small study of individuals with no medical problems, taking pine bark extract for 12 weeks resulted in lower blood pressure and thinner blood. In studies of animals with artificially-induced diabetes, injected pine bark extract produced significant reductions in blood sugar levels. Other studies have shown some effectiveness for pine bark extract in relieving pain for women with abdominal pain due to endometriosis. In laboratory and animal studies, pine bark extract may also have enhanced immune function. In other laboratory studies, pine bark extract appeared to prevent the accumulation of proteins similar to those associated with Alzheimer's disease. While clinical research continues for these conditions, no definitive results prove that pine bark extract is effective for any of them. Oral pine bark extract may help to even out the tone of skin that has been darkened by various pigmentation disorders such as melasma. In China, a prescription product containing pine bark extract has been approved for treating skin pigmentation conditions. In the United States, pine bark extract is included in a number of face creams that claim to fight aging or restore wrinkled skin, but these claims are not documented by scientific research. Pine bark extract is also being investigated to determine if it can help prevent sunburn and skin damage from sun exposure. |