today, we know that ache bark is a estimable informant of vitamin C ( the cure for abject ) american samoa well as numerous phytochemicals, natural plant compounds that back better health. The “ all-stars ” of the group are proanthocyanidins, potent antioxidant compounds ( more potent than Vitamin C and E ) that provide a wealth of added health benefits. Let ’ s take a closer look below .
Boost Antioxidant Status
If you ’ re fleshy, out of form, or in poor health, your torso will produce an overindulgence of exempt radical compounds that trigger inflammation throughout the torso, damaging your deoxyribonucleic acid and compromising your health. Antioxidants extinguish these inner fires. Research has shown that Pycnogenol – a patented formula of pine bark excerpt – is able to prevent and minimize this oxidative wrong from free radicals.1Ensuring you eat a diet senior high school in vegetables and yield is besides important to lay the foundation for robust antioxidant intake ( chocolate is another great reference, just remember to ditch the carbohydrate ! ) .
Improve Erectile Dysfunction (Blood Flow)
Pine bark press out has a meaning impact on azotic oxide ( NO ) levels in the torso, which are creditworthy for vasodilation and improving blood stream. A late study found the combination of pine bark extract and arginine ( an amino acerb that besides boosts NO production ) were effective for improving mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.2 If you struggle with low libido or erectile dysfunction, or suffer from high blood press, boosting NO levels in the body is an effective scheme for helping to reverse these conditions .
Balance Blood Sugars
Pine bark educe may provide some add benefits for you if you struggle with high rake sugar, pre-diabetes, or diabetes. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of 77 diabetic patients taking their prescription medications, along with 100mg of supplementary Pycnogenol, found greater improvement in lineage sugar control and cardiovascular health when pine bark extract was combined with diabetic medications.3 ( Make sure to talk to your doctor of the church before combining any supplements with current medications you ’ re taking. )
Fight Off Common Colds
There is nothing more annoying than a nag cold ; it stalls your productiveness at exploit and in the gymnasium. A survey of 146 people suffering from a common cold found supplementing with Pycnogenol was able to reduce the duration ( i.e. the number of days ) and badness ( i.e. the volume of the symptoms you experience ) of the colds.4 This is bang-up news for keeping up your pace, even if you ’ ve got the sniffles.
Boost Brain Function
If you ’ ve been struggling with forgetting small details – like where you put your car keys or what you ’ re supposed to pick up for dinner – you may be suffering from the early signs of age-related cognitive decline. Stress, poor diet, and miss of sleep can all contribute to sub-optimal brain affair, and while diet and exercise are fantastic for boosting healthy mind routine, therefore excessively is ache bark infusion. New research shows that adults over the age of 55, supplementing with Pycnogenol over the course of one year, showed superior results in brain related tasks compared to placebo groups.5 The researchers believe the benefits stem from ache bark excerpt ’ s antioxidant effects and ability to reduce oxidative stress ( associated with poor diet, high stress, lack of practice, etc. ) .
Protect Skin From Sun Damage
Getting enough sunlight exposure and vitamin D is crucial for your health and energy. New research shows that not getting adequate sun photograph is deoxyadenosine monophosphate dangerous to your health as smoking.6 unfortunately ; you don ’ triiodothyronine want to sacrifice your hide along the means. The accession of supplementary pycnogenol has been shown to offer protection from harmful UVB rays and may reduce hyperpigmentation and improve skin barrier function.7 If you spend a draw of time in the sunlight, this can be a decent added hide corroborate .
Reduce Inflammation
Cytokines are a group of proinflammatory molecules that are released when you get a cold or influenza, suffer from a fall or injury ( or train excessively hard in the gymnasium ! ), or if you ’ rhenium struggling with a chronic health condition. inquiry shows that ache bark extract is capable of reducing proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6, responsible for many of the adverse effects of chronic inflammation.8
Pine bark extract can make a great accession to your nutritional arsenal for its potent antioxidant support, a good as its add support for blood flow, rake sugar, inflammation, immunity, brain function and bark support. Pycnogenol is a standardize append convention guaranteed to contain at least 65-75 % proanthocyanidins, the active ingredient that triggers all these benefits. Remember, a good diet and even exercise should always be the basis for building your best health. however, sometimes the body needs a little lend patronize and auxiliary Pycnogenol can go a long means to keeping your brain and consistency sharp this winter.
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By Dr. Marc Bubbs ND, CISSN, CSCS
Dr. Marc Bubbs is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor, Sports Nutrition Lead for the canadian Men ’ sulfur Basketball Team, and writer of The Paleo Project .
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