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Effects of Pycnogenol on fitness in normal subjects

pycnogenol fitness endurance normal subjects triathlon running resveratrol

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#1 blood

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Posted 19 January 2014 - 11:12 AM


New study.

Wonder how pycnogenol compares to resveratrol wrt effects on fitness, endurance?


http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/24247188

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2013 Dec;53(6):644-54.


Evaluation of the effects of supplementation with Pycnogenol® on fitness in normal subjects with the Army Physical Fitness Test and in performances of athletes in the 100-minute triathlon.

Vinciguerra G, Belcaro G, Bonanni E, Cesarone MR, Rotondi V, Ledda A, Hosoi M, Dugall M, Cacchio M, Cornelli U.


Abstract

Aim: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol® (French pine bark extract) on improving physical fitness (PF) in normalindividuals using the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The study evaluated the efficacy of Pycnogenol, used as a supplement, in improving training, exercise, recovery and oxidative stress. Methods: The study was divided into 2 parts. In PART 1 (Pycnogenol 100 mg/day), the APFT was used to assess an improvement in PF during an 8-week preparation and training program. In PART 2 (Pycnogenol 150 mg/day), the study evaluated the effects of Pycnogenol supplementation in athletes in training for a triathlon. Results: PART 1. There was a significant improvement in both males and females in the 2-mile running time within both groups, but the group using Pycnogenol (74 subjects) performed statistically better than controls (73 subjects). The number of push-ups was improved, with Pycnogenol subjects performing better. Sit-ups also improved in the Pycnogenol group. Oxidative stress decreased with exercise in all subjects; in Pycnogenol subjects the results were significantly better. PART 2. In the Pycnogenol group 32 males (37.9; SD 4.4 years) were compliant with the training plan at 4 weeks. In controls there were 22 subjects (37.2;3.5) completing the training plans. The swimming, biking and running scores in both groups improved with training. The Pycnogenol group had more benefits in comparison with controls. The total triathlon time was 89 min 44 s in Pycnogenol subjects versus 96 min 5 s in controls. Controls improved their performing time on average 4.6 minutes in comparison with an improvement of 10.8 minutes in Pycnogenol subjects. A significant decrease in cramps and running and post-running pain was seen in the Pycnogenol group; there were no significant differences in controls. There was an important, significant post-triathlon decrease of PFR one hour after the end of the triathlon with an average of -26.7, whereas PFR in controls increased. In Pycnogenol subjects there was a lower increase on oxidative stress with a faster recovery to almost normal levels (<330 for these subjects). These variations in PFR values were interpreted as a faster metabolic recovery in subjects using Pycnogenol. Conclusion: This study opens an interesting new application of the natural supplementation with Pycnogenol that, with proper hydration, good training and nutritional attention may improve training and performances both in normal subjects and in semi-professional athletes performing at high levels in difficult, high-stress sports such as the triathlon.


PMID: 24247188 [PubMed - in process]


Edited by blood, 19 January 2014 - 11:13 AM.


#2 timar

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Posted 20 January 2014 - 02:45 PM

Interesting study, thanks!

Note that that there is nothing special about Pycnogenol. Its active constituents are OPC, particularly the shorter chain variety (DP <= 5). Proanthocyanidins from grape seeds or cocoa have a similar distribution of oligomers, while those from cinnamon or apples provide more of the longer chain varieties. A teaspoon of grapeseed flour, an ounce of dark chocolate, two apples or just half a teaspoon of my Polypulp will provide you with approximately the same amount of shorter shain OPC as the 100mg of Pycnogenol used in this study.

Edited by timar, 20 January 2014 - 02:47 PM.


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#3 hav

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Posted 20 January 2014 - 06:02 PM

I think pycnogenol is an alternate spelling for piceatannol discussed briefly in this other thread:

http://www.longecity...34-piceatannol/

Howard

#4 timar

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Posted 20 January 2014 - 06:27 PM

I think pycnogenol is an alternate spelling for piceatannol discussed briefly in this other thread:

http://www.longecity...34-piceatannol/

Howard


No, that's wrong. There is no piceatannol in Pycnogenol. It is what I have explained above.

#5 niner

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Posted 20 January 2014 - 10:34 PM

timar is right- Pycnogenol is a trade name for the extract of a particular French maritime pine bark. The people who manufacture it have supported a lot of research, and pubmed is full of studies that use the name "Pycnogenol". There are other pine bark extracts, and not surprisingly they are vastly less expensive than Pycnogenol. I used to use Pycnogenol, which made a distinct difference in the appearance of varicosities on my legs. I eventually switched to Swanson's "Pine Bark Extract" because it cost so much less, and I'm happy with the results. I don't know if it's exactly comparable in chemical composition, but it seems to work for me.

#6 Kevnzworld

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Posted 20 January 2014 - 11:32 PM

Or you could take a much less expensive grape seed extract standardized for its OPC content
oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) the active ingredient of pycnogenol
" A patented extract of maritime pine bark called Pycnogenol bears 65-75 percent proanthocyanidins (procyanidins).[8] Thus a 100 mg serving would contain 65 to 75 mg of proanthocyanidins (procyanidins)."


#7 nameless

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Posted 21 January 2014 - 02:39 AM

I used to use Pycnogenol, which made a distinct difference in the appearance of varicosities on my legs. I eventually switched to Swanson's "Pine Bark Extract" because it cost so much less, and I'm happy with the results. I don't know if it's exactly comparable in chemical composition, but it seems to work for me.


I'm curious... did you try grapeseed extract before trying the pine bark, and if so, were the results similar?

The thing that scares me about generic pine barks is that most come from China -- and it's both a different species of tree + different extraction method.

I used to use Pycnogenol for asthma, and stopped, as it simply was too expensive.

Edited by nameless, 21 January 2014 - 02:40 AM.


#8 timar

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Posted 21 January 2014 - 07:38 AM

I really don't think that there's anything special about pine bark extract. As I said, it's relatively easy to get the same amount of OPC even from dietary sources alone. See the USDA Database for the Proanthocyanidin Content of Selected Foods.

There are dozens of studies showing similarly beneficial effects from grape seed extracts, or other extracts or foods rich in OPC.

Edited by timar, 21 January 2014 - 08:00 AM.


#9 blood

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Posted 21 January 2014 - 09:35 AM

Note that that there is nothing special about Pycnogenol. Its active constituents are OPC, particularly the shorter chain variety (DP <= 5). Proanthocyanidins from grape seeds or cocoa have a similar distribution of oligomers, while those from cinnamon or apples provide more of the longer chain varieties. A teaspoon of grapeseed flour, an ounce of dark chocolate, two apples or just half a teaspoon of my Polypulp will provide you with approximately the same amount of shorter shain OPC as the 100mg of Pycnogenol used in this study.


I consume all of the things you mentioned - apples, dark chocolate, spices - and yet I notice benefits when I add pycnogenol to my regimen. Why do you think that is? I suppose it could be a placebo effect - but I don't think it is.

(The benefits I notice are not astonishing - but are pleasantly surprising - such as smoother skin on my face and a more glowing complexion).

Therefore I wonder about the bioavailability and concentration of OPCs as found in food sources versus a pycnogenol or grape seed extract capsule.

Pycnogenol does also contain a bunch of phenolic acids which might contribute to its beneficial effects on health.

Edited by blood, 21 January 2014 - 09:36 AM.

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#10 timar

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Posted 21 January 2014 - 10:01 AM

It is certainly a possibility that polyphenols from such extracts have a higher bioavailability than those bound to a food matrix. To make a fair comparison though, you would have to compare the effects of your regular diet plus Pycnogenol with that of your regular diet with an additional amount of an OPC rich food (i.e. grape seed flour or cocoa) providing an amount of shorter chain OPC equivalent to that in your daily dose of Pycnogenol.

There are differences in the biologic effects of different types of monomer linkages as well. The most common type is a single C-C bond (B-type), but there are double linkages involving an additional C-O bond (A-type). We know, for example, that di- and trimeric A-type proanthocyanidins from cranberries have a unique ability to protect against urinary tract infections (besides cranberries, cinnamon is one of the rare food sources for A-type OPC, which is why I have included it in my Polypulp; see table 3 in the USDA document). Unfortunately there is a lack of literature providing more detailed analysis of OPC subtypes (degree of polymerization and types of linkages). I haven't found any source at all providing information on the predominant linkage-type in Pycnogenol.

Edited by timar, 21 January 2014 - 10:33 AM.


#11 niner

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Posted 21 January 2014 - 02:00 PM

I used to use Pycnogenol, which made a distinct difference in the appearance of varicosities on my legs. I eventually switched to Swanson's "Pine Bark Extract" because it cost so much less, and I'm happy with the results. I don't know if it's exactly comparable in chemical composition, but it seems to work for me.


I'm curious... did you try grapeseed extract before trying the pine bark, and if so, were the results similar?

The thing that scares me about generic pine barks is that most come from China -- and it's both a different species of tree + different extraction method.

I used to use Pycnogenol for asthma, and stopped, as it simply was too expensive.


I have used GSE, but it was simultaneous with both Pycnogenol and the generic PBE, and I'm still using it, so I don't know how much of the apparent effect from PBE is actually from GSE. I'll have to look a little deeper into this.

Was Pycnogenol helping your asthma in a noticeable way?

#12 hav

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Posted 21 January 2014 - 04:51 PM

Thanks for the correction. I've actually been using an equal mix of Pine Bark and Grape Seed extracts from BAC for quite a while and know them as procyanadyins. Since BAC is phasing out their bulk powders, I was thinking of trying PureBulk on my next reorder. Also been thinking of dropping the Pine Bark in favor of more GSE since I use it to maintain tendon health and there's some evidence of GSE being slightly better for that.

Howard

#13 nameless

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Posted 21 January 2014 - 06:11 PM

I have used GSE, but it was simultaneous with both Pycnogenol and the generic PBE, and I'm still using it, so I don't know how much of the apparent effect from PBE is actually from GSE. I'll have to look a little deeper into this.

Was Pycnogenol helping your asthma in a noticeable way?


I would say yes, but it was more a subtle effect -- probably similar to a weak antihistamine. But it required a higher dose 200-300mg for me to really notice anything. And I took it for a couple of months, before I could say it was helping or not. Short term -- let's say a month or so, and it didn't do a whole lot.

I also never rule out pure coincidence either. One thing that I did seem to notice at the time, which was weird, but it seemed like my vision was slightly better when I was taking it. It could be that it helped allergies, so my eyes weren't so watery at times, or something else.

As for grapeseed vs pycnogenol, I didn't seem to get the same effect from grapeseed. But perhaps it's more a dose thing to get the same OPCs... such as 1g grapeseed vs 300mg pycnogenol, or something like that. But I stuck to reasonable doses of grapeseed.

I had a post here years ago, where we discussed some differences between grapeseed vs pycnogenol vs generic pine bark --

http://www.longecity...l-vs-grapeseed/

One of the Enzogenol people was unusually chatty with me and answered some questions via email. They were also nice and gave me a full bottle to test out. Extraction method may matter, as the OPCs from Enzogenol were less than Pycnogenol... and I also didn't notice any allergy benefits from Enzogenol.

Edited by nameless, 21 January 2014 - 06:17 PM.


#14 lighty

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Posted 29 January 2014 - 12:18 AM

Note that that there is nothing special about Pycnogenol. Its active constituents are OPC, particularly the shorter chain variety (DP <= 5). Proanthocyanidins from grape seeds or cocoa have a similar distribution of oligomers, while those from cinnamon or apples provide more of the longer chain varieties. A teaspoon of grapeseed flour, an ounce of dark chocolate, two apples or just half a teaspoon of my Polypulp will provide you with approximately the same amount of shorter shain OPC as the 100mg of Pycnogenol used in this study.


I consume all of the things you mentioned - apples, dark chocolate, spices - and yet I notice benefits when I add pycnogenol to my regimen. Why do you think that is? I suppose it could be a placebo effect - but I don't think it is.

(The benefits I notice are not astonishing - but are pleasantly surprising - such as smoother skin on my face and a more glowing complexion).

Therefore I wonder about the bioavailability and concentration of OPCs as found in food sources versus a pycnogenol or grape seed extract capsule.

Pycnogenol does also contain a bunch of phenolic acids which might contribute to its beneficial effects on health.



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#15 lighty

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Posted 29 January 2014 - 12:33 AM

I am glad that I came across this, because I have often mention to friends when the subject came up about supplements, that Pycnogenol seem to work well in me
and that I noticed better benifits from it than a lot of others. I thought maybe it only applied to me :)
Never seem to get any benefits for GSE, mind you I did take it in powdered form with water, which is an instant put off due to the violent taste,
may be I did not want it to work so that I could stop taking it?
Used Maritime Pine Bark extract and stacked it with Serrapeptase at times and I felt good, had to stop due to the expense.
It seemed that you had to initially saturate your body first with a high dosage, so many milligrams per body weight for a few days first,
before settling into a regular intake.

lighty





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