Pycnogenol - Pine Bark Extract

Pine Bark Extract

More commonly known as Pycnogenol, Pine Bark is a water extract of French Maritime Pine, a tree that grows in southwest France, close to the Spanish border. It is a highly potent antioxidant, which interacts with the entire antioxidant network, an intricate system whereby various antioxidants support each other.

This network includes such antioxidants as Vitamin C, and others, such as glutathione. Pine Bark Extract regenerates the vitamin C radical. According to studies conducted with different antioxidant sources, Pine Bark Extract turned out to be the antioxidant that was best able to regenerate vitamin C.

Anti - Inflammatory effect and sun protection

Pine Bark Extract not only has anti-inflammatory effects, it also has a protective effect on human skin cells in connection with UV radiation. To be more precise, it reduces the pro-inflammatory impact of sunlight exposure. Pine Bark Extract inhibits the activation of NF-kappa-B (transcription factor).

In clinical studies, human subjects were given 100-200 mg of Pine Bark Extract daily. The researchers then set out to find the amount of UV-radiation that gave the slightest bit of reddening of the skin after 24hrs. This measure is called MED and stands for Minimal Erythemal Dose. After Pine Bark Extract supplementation, the MED level increased, indicating that the skin had become more resistant to sunlight.

Research shows that Pine Bark Extract may have a protective effect on human skin.

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Reducing the risks of smoking

Smokers live at risk of several diseases other than lung cancer. Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of.

• Thrombus formation- heart infarction.
• Stroke.
• High blood pressure.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (COPD)
• Asthma.

For all these conditions, there is clinical research showing that Pine Bark Extract may have a protective effect.

The nicotine in cigarette smoke increases blood adrenaline level two-fold. Adrenaline instructs platelets to be alert and form a blood clot. They get pre-sticky and aggregate, although we are not actually injured. This may result in blockage of blood vessels, and can be the cause of heart infarction and stroke.

Adrenalines function is to prepare the body for the "fright, flight, or fight" reaction. When adrenaline levels suddenly rise, adrenaline prepares the body for possible cuts and wounds by making the blood platelets stickier, whereby they coagulate easier.

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Clinical study of smokers

In clinical study of smokers, Pine Bark Extract has been shown to reduce platelet stickiness by significant levels.

By taking a so-called Cox-inhibitor, such as aspirin, you can prevent the platelets from becoming sticky and adhering to each other. Pine Bark Extract has the same effect. When you take this supplement and smoke three cigarettes, there is hardly any increase in platelet stickiness.

The great advantage of using Pine Bark Extract compared with Aspirin is that Pine Bark Extract does not cause increased bleeding time and is not associated with gastric bleeding. A common problem with Aspirin use is that when you receive a injury- shaving nick, cut or other type of injury- its takes nearly twice the time for the bleeding to stop. Aspirin irreversibly changes the enzyme called Cox, while Pine Bark Extract has an impact on different mechanisms that do not affect this enzyme.

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Nitric oxide regulation

Pine Bark Extract increases Nitric Oxide, a natural substance which,

• Instructs the platelets to be less sticky.
• Causes the muscle around blood vessels (smooth muscle tissue) to relax and so increase the diameter of the blood vessels.

Because of the increased blood vessel diameter, Pine Bark Extract may help to reduce blood pressure.

The effect was seen in a clinical study of non-medicated patients with mild hypertension in which Pine Bark Extract significantly reduced the systolic blood pressure.

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Oxidative stress

Smoking also causes lung tissue damage by causing oxidative stress, which involves an inflammatory response. Free radicals developed in the process may damage the mucous membranes, causing edema and as a result create breathing difficulties in patients.

Pine Bark Extract has an anti-allergic effect, and may also be able to reduce the release of histamine by so called mast cells. The histamine is the compound that causes swelling and other allergy symptoms.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross- over asthma study of Pine Bark Extract and placebo, where lung function, asthma symptoms and inflammatory mediators were measured, Pine Bark Extract was shown to reduce the amount of inflammatory mediators in the blood which are known to be involved with asthma. In addition asthma scores were reduced significantly with Pine Bark Extract, and the breathing ability was much improved.

Pine Bark Extract is an ideal substance to reduce problems associated with smoking, either as a active or passive smoker.

Pine Bark Extract helps to protect the Collagen and Elastin proteins. For this reason, the supplement addresses female health. By strengthening and protecting the collagen and elastin fibres, it is possible to rejuvenate skin. If collagen is exposed to Pine Bark Extract; it is considerably more difficult for enzymes to attack and degrade collagen.

Simply, Pine Bark Extract is an antioxidant shield for the skin.

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Pine Bark Extract helps to protect against:

• Asthma
• Hay fever
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Elastin and Collagen protein damage
• The effects of smoking, (active & passive)

Dosage

2 capsules daily:

1 capsule in the morning. 1 capsule in the evening

All capsules should be taken with water.

Merlin Natural Health's Pine Bark Extract is suitable for vegetarians, with no known side effects, taken at the correct dosage.

Please note:

All supplements and natural juices should be stored in a cool, dark area. Following these guidelines will help to preserve the integrity of the products.

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All prices include delivery to the United Kingdom Mainland.

We can process your order over the telephone.
(0034) 965 666 166 English
(0034) 965 419 167 English / Spanish
Or contact us by e.mail sales@nonispania.co.uk.