A balanced diet provides us with a variety of compounds necessary to sustain the complex systems and functions of the human body, however, some foods and/or supplements can provide more health benefits than the basic nutrition. Tomatoes, for example, are rich in lycopene, a compound that can reduce the risk of stroke and prostate cancer. While the list of beneficial substances is growing, one substance has gained more recognition from healthcare professionals when it comes to preventing and treating cardiovascular disease: pycnogenol.
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Pycnogenol, a pine bark extract that you may have never heard of, may be a fundamental ingredient which can give your general well-being a boost. In fact, Dr. Russell Blaylock, author of The Blaylock Wellness Report, believes it ought to be a part of everybodyβs health regimen, especially when it comes to itβs benefits towards cardiovascular disease.
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Pycnogenol is a patented form of pine bark extract made using the bark of the maritime pine that grows in France. Pine bark extract contains procyanidins, a form of catechins, similiar to those found in green tea, cocoa, and grape seed extract. Pycnogenol also has a unique combination of powerful antioxidant components in addition to procyanidins, including bioflavonoids and phenolic acids, that neutralize disease-causing free radicals in the body. Furthermore, this form of pine bark extract is believed to increase skin elasticity as well as reduce both oxidative stress and collagen degradation, reducing the effects of aging.
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An Italian study published in Phytotherapy Research found that supplementing a diet with Pycnogenol reduced the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
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When the study began, study participants had all five risk factors for metabolic syndrome as defined by the American Heart Association. Patients were divided into 2 groups and were given either 50 milligram tablets of Pycnogenol, three times every day or placebo tablets. Almost 90 percent of the patients at the Pycnogenol group showed improvement in all five groups.
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βPycnogenol was also discovered to aid individuals struggling with metabolic syndrome by controlling blood lipids, blood glucose and blood pressureβ, said lead researcher Dr. Gianni Belcaro. Results demonstrate that those who commissioned exercise and a healthy diet were able to boost heart health and lose weight, attaining an body mass index. βThis research offers evidence that daily supplementation with Pycnogenol can offer a natural approach to help achieve wholesome blood pressure, improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels and finally, greater cardiovascular wellnessβ, Gianni said.
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In a small study of healthy people, concerning the use of Pycnogenol to control bad cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or blood lipids, Pycnogenol lowered levels while good cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol, were raised. In a second randomized placebo-controlled study of men with cholesterol levels, Pycnogenol was found to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol but elevate HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides, another kind of fat found in the blood, werenβt affected. In a study of 48 patients with type 2 diabetes, Pycnogenol seemed to reduce LDL cholesterol compared with placebo.
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In another research study, Pycnogenol at doses of 200 mg/d led to a substantial reduction in SBP from 139.9 mmHg into 132.7 mmHg (p < 0.05) in eleven patients with mild hypertension for more than eight weeks at a double-blind placebo placebo crossover trial. Diastolic BP fell from 93.8 mmHg to 92.0 mmHg. Pycnogenol functions as a ACEI, in which it improves renal cortical blood circulation, reduces serum thromboxane concentrations, decreases myelo-peroxidase activity, protects cell membranes from oxidative stress, reduces urinary albumin excretion, decreases HS-CRP and increases NO and improves endothelial function. Other studies have shown reductions in BP reductions in endothelin-1, and a need for CCB and ACEI, HgA1C, fasting glucose, LDL-C and myeloperoxidase.
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The endothelium is the layer of the blood vessels. This thin layer that is cellular plays an significant function in the regulation of blood circulation. Endothelial function is found among individuals with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. One double-blind placebo-controlled analysis of 58 patients with blood pressure found that endothelial function daily enhanced. Another double-blind, randomized crossover study on 28 patients with coronary artery disease found that 200 mg of daily for eight weeks improved endothelial function
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Dr. Blaylock adds even more benefits of Pycnogenol. βIt is exceptional in reducing the signs and symptoms of varicose veins, inhibits oral and all other cancers, also protects against kidney and auditory nerve damage by antibioticsβ, β he states. βIn addition, it suppresses atherosclerosis and soothes atherosclerotic plaque, the main cause of a heart attackβ.
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In conclusion, Pycnogenol has been widely researched in many studies, several of which demonstrated positive outcomes towards naturally preventing and treating cardiovascular disease, among other health issues. Pycnogenol, the form of pine bark extract we covered above, has been noted to help improve CVD by reducing the risk factors of metabolic syndrome, controlling βbad cholesterolβ and balancing βgood cholesterolβ, as well as improving endothelial function, an important factor in the regulation of blood circulation, among many other health benefits.
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Although Pycnogenol has shown to have many health benefits, itβs important to seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplementation for an existing condition or disease. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
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Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
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Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Effects of Pycnogenol in Cardiovascular Disease | Wellness Clinic" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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