Benefits of Pycnogenol® – Dr. Pescatore
More than ever, consumers are doing their own research and seeking out natural products that are clinically shown to be safe and effective and can help to achieve overall health and wellbeing. This search for achieving optimum health has been widely noticed in the natural health industry.
Specifically when discussing supplements and ingredients focused on improving memory and overall cognitive function, we are no longer speaking only to a 50+ demographic, as consumers are very much aware of the health benefits they can receive throughout life.
Often my patients come to me inquiring about natural supplements that can help improve focus, memory, mood, among other things, and I direct them to one of my favorite supplements, Pycnogenol® – a natural plant extract originating from bark of the French maritime pine tree. What is unique about this super-antioxidant is that is has been found both safe and effective to support brain function throughout the lifespan – from young children to college students to working professionals and seniors.
One of the most exciting pieces of research on Pycnogenol® is the effects the ingredient has on children affected by ADHD. Approximately 6 million children aged 3-17 years old have been diagnosed with ADHD – making it likely that at least one student in a 30 person classroom will have this condition. In 2006, a study published in the European Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychology examined the effectiveness of Pycnogenol® in treating children with ADHD. After four weeks of supplementation, the antioxidant was found to help the production of nitric oxide to balance stress hormones, which lowers adrenaline and dopamine, resulting in a decrease of ADHD.
Younger consumers, especially students, are now looking at natural supplements to help them stay focused. In a study on college-aged students, Pycnogenol® was found to decrease test anxiety and improve mental performance, which resulted in higher test scores. According to the American Test Anxieties Association, about 16-20 percent of students have high test anxiety, making this the most prevalent scholastic impairment in our schools today.
We must also acknowledge that consumers want to age well, and are aware of the health conditions that can arise later in life – motivating them to be proactive in preparing for advanced years. Additionally, a study on patients aged 60 – 85 found Pycnogenol® to improve both numerical working memory as well as spatial working memory. The research suggests that the antioxidant activity of Pycnogenol® played a major role in these results and blood results showed a significant decrease in F2-isoprostanes in blood among those taking Pycnogenol®.
Because of Horphag Research’s commitment to demonstrating the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol® for cognitive function, the extract continues to be a trusted source of brain-healthy nutrients by both consumers and physicians, like myself. In fact, this year a study conducted on Pycnogenol® found the antioxidant to help improve overall cognitive function in the work place, including mental performance, sustained attention and mood – ultimately serving as “brain food” for our day-to-day activities.
As the healthy aging category continues to grow amongst seniors, boomers and now younger consumers, Horphag Research continues to invest in the many congnitive health benefits of Pycnogenol® to further prompt long-term health and support education consumers are actively seeking-out.
