Nutrition Stop - Vitamins and Minerals - Pycnogenol & Blood Pressure

Pycnogenol & Blood Pressure

A new study published in the January 2, 2004 issue of Life Sciences found that supplementation with Pycnogenol - a French maritime pine tree bark extract - may allow those with high blood pressure to almost halve their current prescriptions. Fifty-eight subjects, all of whom were on high blood pressure medication, could take half the dosage of their prescription when they used Pycnogenol. The trial was double-blind and placebo-controlled. According to one of the study's authors, Peter Rohdewald, Ph.D., of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Munster, Germany, "Taking into account its ability to inhibit platelet aggression and its diverse antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions, we suggest that French maritime pine tree bark extract offers a broad spectrum of protection for the patient with high blood pressure." The study also demonstrated benefits such as reduced LDL cholesterol, alleviated artery constriction, and improved circulation.