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Pycnogenol for Womens Health |
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by totalhealth Editors
Pycnogenol for Women’s Health
 omen's products are growing at an accelerating pace in today's marketplace with thousands crowding store shelves.
The industry is one of the hottest and most
challenging new markets to enter today.
With this surge of new items, women are
taking a closer look at those derived from
natural sources that have been tested for
safety and efficacy, such as Pycnogenol®.
According to Jesse Lopez, executive vice
president of Natural Health Science, a supplier
of nutritional ingredients, "Many
studies have shown that women need more
of certain antioxidants to keep themselves
feeling healthy, especially as they age.
Women's chronic age-related conditions of
the skin, eyes, heart and circulatory system
have sometimes been overlooked by our
healthcare system."
He adds, "Women are taking charge and
managing their own health needs by educating
themselves on the benefits to all areas
of the body that a powerful antioxidant like
Pycnogenol provides."
Pycnogenol (pic-noj-en-all), a natural
plant extract, is a water-soluble flavonoid
known for its potent blend of antioxidant
properties. When compared with 20 other
top antioxidant sources, Pycnogenol was
shown to be the most powerful antioxidant
among them. Antioxidants are important to
women's health and many need an added
dietary supplement or multi-vitamin to
complement their diet. Lopez has outlined
some of the important functions of
Pycnogenol and how they help women.
 PMS Patent—After extensive research by
NHS, Pycnogenol was awarded a patent for
reducing PMS/menstrual pain and discomfort.
The research also showed a reduction in
abdominal pain due to endometriosis.
Studies have shown a clear improvement in
terms of reduction of menstrual cramps and
pain in 73 percent of women following
administration of 30mg Pycnogenol a day
for one month, in addition to those with
endometriosis. Abdominal pain due to
endometriosis was reduced in 80 percent of
the patients and cramps disappeared in 77
percent of the women taking Pycnogenol,
according to a study published in the
European Bulletin of Drug Research.
Skin care—Research indicates that
Pycnogenol may reduce damage to the skin
cells caused by UVB radiation. These studies
have shown Pycnogenol's anti-inflammatory
properties via release of pro-inflammatory
mediators that activate immune cells that
help protect skin from photo-aging and
extend the skin's resistance from sunburn.
Additional studies have demonstrated that
Pycnogenol also acts as a collagen stabilizer
by binding to collagen in the skin, maintaining
elasticity, keeping skin firm and preventing
wrinkles.
Super-Antioxidant—Taking a Pycnogenol
dietary supplement offers super-antioxidant
benefits by fighting dangerous free radicals in
the body. Pycnogenol is known as a nutritional
synergizer, making other science-based
ingredients more effective when combined
with Pycnogenol. Like any true synergist, it
enhances the value of a large range of supplements,
making it a "must include" in any
product formula with heart, eye, circulatory,
anti-aging and arthritis claims, among
others.
Circulation Enhancer—Clinical research
shows that Pycnogenol supports circulation
by preventing stress-induced constriction of
arteries and blood clotting. It contributes to
a better supply of nutrients and oxygen and
helps to protect veins and capillaries.
Oral Health—Pycnogenol promotes a
healthy smile, according to recent studies
that have shown an anti-inflammatory and
sealing effect on fragile and oral capillaries
that helped reduce gingival bleeding. The
clinical study also showed a reduction in
plaque accumulation associated with
common gingivitis. The study participants
received 5mg of Pycnogenol in chewing
gum. The subjects taking Pycnogenol
chewing gum showed more than a 50 percent
reduction of gum bleeding, while regular
chewing gum proved to be ineffective.
  ith the baby boomers climbing
into their fifties and younger
women becoming more aware at
an earlier age of the importance of supplementation,
products specially designed for
woman are in demand for the future. These
include anti-aging, skin care protection,
heart and circulatory health and PMS/menstrual
pain reduction products. Many scientific
studies have shown that Pycnogenol
contributes as a single ingredient or in combination
with other nutrients in all of these
areas.
Natural Health Science is the North
American arm of Horphag Research, the
original developers of Pycnogenol, based in
Geneva, Switzerland. Over the last 30 years,
Horphag Research has invested millions of
dollars in extensive scientific research
assuring the safety and efficacy of
Pycnogenol as a dietary supplement. In the
process, Horphag has developed a comprehensive
research operation that has greater
knowledge of flavonoids and other unique
antioxidant compounds than any other company
of its size in the world.
In its continuing research, Horphag has
gathered additional scientific evidence supporting
the efficacy of Pycnogenol. Even
more so, other science-based ingredients are
more effective when combined with
Pycnogenol. For instance, it recycles and
spares vitamins C and E so they act longer in
your body. According to Jesse Lopez, the
potential is untapped for developing formulas
that combine Pycnogenol with other
leading products. NHS is positioned to take
advantage of new products that will be even
more powerful in helping to keep women's
circulatory, heart and reproductive systems
healthy.
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