body - 4 minute read. When menopause is impacting your daily life, it can be tempting to turn to extreme measures to find relief. But, some of the best ways to improve your day-to-day experience can actually be found in nature. Also known as French Maritime pine bark Pinus pinaster extract, this safe yet potent ingredient is sourced exclusively from pine trees located in Southwest France and holds a high concentration of procyanidin, an antioxidant also found in cinnamon, apples, and grapes albeit in smaller quantities.

Shop Now. By managing your blood flow, Pycnogenol helps level out your body temperature, too. Changes in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormone levels during menopause can cause drastic shifts in mood, leaving many women feeling on-edge and overtaxed.

Pycnogenol has been shown to support feelings of stress, anxiety, and nervousness and generally improve your disposition. In other words - the healthy functioning of veins and arteries.

As estrogen levels fluctuate, some women may experience cognitive shifts. These shifts can range in frequency and severity, with some women noticing minor forgetfulness while others report more serious effects like depression or anxiety.

All too often, this menopausal concern flies under the radar. Pycnogenol has shown in at least four clinical trials to help support pathways that increase blood flow, improve oxygenation, and transport nutrients to brain cells - all key elements to improving cognitive function.

Participants in other studies also reported measurable improvement in mental performance and extended attention span, changes that can have a drastic impact on your day-to-day decision-making. Did you know that Pycnogenol can impact vaginal dryness, too?

For additional hydration-boosting support, consider pairing a supplement with Pycnogenol with a topical vaginal lotion to promote hydration from the inside out while supporting a more moisturized intimate area. The same circulation-regulating benefits that allow Pycnogenol to curb menopause dilemmas can strengthen your overall heart health, too.

In addition to studies showing that it can lower blood pressure and improve blood flow, Pycnogenol has also been shown to protect blood vessels against oxidation, a key component to supporting heart health.

These benefits may not be specific to menopausal women, but they serve as a reminder that taking care of your overall health—staying hydrated, prioritizing exercise, and eating a balanced, heart-healthy diet, for example—can be instrumental in your health and wellness on your menopausal journey, too.

Between its transparent sourcing and exhaustive list of health benefits, Pycnogenol is a secret weapon for many menopausal women. Still have questions? Email us , and we may feature the query anonymously in our Dear Kindra column. Does the vaginal lotion get used at night and is there a discharge from using it?

I have found creams to have been messy in the past. And would taking CORE be the best supplement to start with? Hello Gale! Thank you for sharing your question. We recommended using the Daily Vaginal Lotion as needed, throughout the day. However, applying nighttime before bed is something we strongly recommend, as skin repair mechanisms are especially active at night.

We suggest starting with one pump of lotion, then gradually increasing to four pumps if needed. There is no discharge from using it, however when applying, make sure to apply evenly and gently, at the vaginal opening and the surrounding area.

This will prevent excess lotion from becoming bothersome. Regarding our supplement offerings, Core is a fantastic one to start with! In clinical studies, the ingredients in this formulation have shown improvement in hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, and even some joint discomfort.

If you have specific concerns, please write us and we can help hello ourkindra. You can also explore our quiz for targeted product recommendations.

I have adverse reactions to many supplements and prescription drugs. For instance, Benadryl keeps me awake. If I try your supplements and have problems, what is your return policy?

Also, I currently use an Estring Vaginal insert for dryness. Would your lotion and products be a good substitute for this? My question is I have been doing the pellets the Harmon replacement therapy. My next dose would be in January. With this program of yours would it interfere with the pellets?

What do you suggest. Tags: body healthy living Hormones mind Pycnogenol supplements. Dr Pescatore also noted study findings on improving mood and quality of sleep. As science shows, the better quality of sleep we get, the better cognitive function we have as we age,' said Pescatore.

Home Ingredients Study shows daily use of Pycnogenol can improve attention span, decision making and memory for baby boomers. X LinkedIn. Companies: Horphag Research. You may also like Ingredients. According to the World Health Organization, men face a higher risk of premature death before reaching their 70th birthday compared with women.

The leading causes of mortality in men include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and respiratory illnesses 1 , reports Dr Franziska Weichmann, Manager of Scientific Communications and Product Development at Horphag Research. Trending Articles The perfect pair: how vitamins K2 and D3 combine to support health and well-being Hydrogen and oxygen, Yin and Yang, Batman and Robin; the world is full of iconic duos that combine to become more than the sum of their parts.

One relatively unknown yet equally powerful partnership is that of vitamins D3 and K2. Upcoming event Manufacturing Chemist Webinar Roundtables Series - Oral Dosage Manufacturing 5 March Webinar GMT See all. Dietary supplements. Mirtogenol is a groundbreaking solution for eye health; one of the first nutritional approaches to address issues related to the rise in intraocular pressure.

Clinical studies show significant benefits for overall eye health. But how can one ingredient alone have such a wide range of benefits across multiple applications? New research reveals a safe and effective path for women who face hair thinning, a condition commonly experienced in menopause.

Peer-reviewed research adds to research in menopause and beauty, revealing new benefits for the celebrated super-antioxidant to address hair density.

Increased cerebral blood flow supports better focus, memory, and overall cognitive health. Its natural components are effective in mitigating the physiological impacts of stress, promoting a sense of calmness. Its array of benefits, from improving memory and focus to protecting against oxidative stress, positions Pycnogenol as a potent tool for supporting brain health.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen. The information in this article is for educational purposes and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. The Cognitive Benefits of Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract by Sean Grabowski Jan 13, Wellness 0 comments.

Table of Contents Toggle. Intervention to mitigate IL-6 in animals with mild TBI triggers normal brain function and reduces the effects of hypoxia aggravation of inflammation of brain damage [ 41 ].

In TBI patients, CRP levels are correlated with the duration of hospitalization in an ICU and dependence on a ventilator, and the severity of the damage [ 42 ]. Finally, we selected these inflammatory factors as outcomes of the study. On the other hand, the duration of intervention used in clinical trials to evaluate the clinical effects of PYC supplementation has varied from several hours to several months [ 22 , 45 , 46 ].

No side effects have been reported with this dose. gov ref: NCT on December 17, , and is ongoing. It is the first version of the protocol.

In April , recruitment began, and the anticipated date to complete the study is February Final study datasets will be stored locally and securely at Trauma and Injury Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, for long-term storage and access.

Participant-level data will be made available by request on a case-by-case basis. All Principal Investigators will access to the data sets.

To ensure confidentiality, data dispersed to project team members will be blinded of any identifying participant information. Galgano M, Toshkezi G, Qiu X, Russell T, Chin L, Zhao LR. Traumatic Brain Injury: Current Treatment Strategies and Future Endeavors. Cell Transplant. Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar.

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Antioxidant therapies for traumatic brain injury. Anthonymuthu TS, Kenny EM, Lamade AM, Kagan VE, Bayır H. Oxidized phospholipid signaling in traumatic brain injury.

Free Radic Biol Med. Rai VRH, Phang LF, Sia SF, Amir A, Veerakumaran JS, Kassim MKA, et al. Effects of immunonutrition on biomarkers in traumatic brain injury patients in Malaysia: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BMC Anesthesiol. Article PubMed PubMed Central CAS Google Scholar. Wang X, Dong Y, Han X, Qi X-Q, Huang C-G, Hou L-J. Nutritional support for patients sustaining traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

PLoS One. Peterik A, Milbrandt EB, Darby JM. Immunonutrition in critical illness: still fishing for the truth. Crit Care. Epub June Khorana J, Rerkasem K, Apichartpiyakul C, Sakonwasun C, Watcharasalcslip W, Waniyapong T, et al. Immunonutrition and cytokine response in patients with head injury.

J Med Assoc Thai. PubMed Google Scholar. Rohdewald PJ. Review on sustained relief of osteoarthritis symptoms with a proprietary extract from pine bark, Pycnogenol. J Med Food.

Gulati OP. Pycnogenol® in metabolic syndrome and related disorders. Phytother Res. Enseleit F, Sudano I, Periat D, Winnik S, Wolfrum M, Flammer AJ, et al.

Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Eur Heart J. Zhang Z, Tong X, Wei YL, Zhao L, Xu JY, Qin LQ. Effect of Pycnogenol Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

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Pycnogenol® protects neurons from amyloid-β peptide-induced apoptosis. Mol Brain Res. Sahebkar A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids.

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Mohammadi H, Javaheri A, Rouhani MH. The impact of pycnogenol supplementation on plasma lipids in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar. Scheff SW, Ansari MA, Roberts KN. Neuroprotective effect of Pycnogenol® following traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol. Ishrat T, Parveen K, Hoda MN, Khan MB, Yousuf S, Ansari MA, et al. Effects of Pycnogenol and vitamin E on cognitive deficits and oxidative damage induced by intracerebroventricular streptozotocin in rats.

Behav Pharmacol. Oliff H. Scientific and clinical monograph on Pycnogenol®: The American Botanical Council; Malekahmadi M, Firouzi S, Daryabeygi-Khotbehsara R, Islam SMS, Norouzy A, Moghaddam OM, et al. Effects of Pycnogenol on Cardiometabolic Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Pharmacol Res. Luzzi R, Belcaro G, Hosoi M, Feragalli B, Cornelli U, Dugall M, et al. Normalization of cardiovascular risk factors in peri-menopausal women with Pycnogenol®.

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Neutralization of interleukin-1beta reduces cerebral edema and tissue loss and improves late cognitive outcome following traumatic brain injury in mice. December 16, — HOBOKEN, NJ — New research delivers exciting news for Baby Boomers — people ages — and those seeking natural ways to boost daily mental performance.

A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences shows daily use of Pycnogenol® pic-noj-en-all , a natural plant extract from French maritime pine tree bark, may help improve attention span, memory, daily decision-making and the ability to manage people and finances, as well as overall cognitive function.

The year long, peer-reviewed study conducted at Chieti-Pescara University in Italy and published in the December Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences , included 77 participants between ages 55 — 70, all of whom were generally fit and followed a healthy lifestyle but, had high levels of oxidative stress.

Fred Pescatore. What I found compelling about this study is the measurable effect Pycnogenol® had on the adult participants in relation to memory, attention span and ability to manage everyday tasks.

Those who took Pycnogenol in this study reported feeling more focused while making decisions and stronger when it came to tasks like dealing with people and managing finances. According to a survey conducted by the CDC ¹ , one in eight boomers report confusion and memory loss more often.

Of these people, one-third reported that confusion or memory loss interfered with their work, social activities or ability to do household chores. The health plan involved a regular sleep regimen of at least eight hours per night, balanced meals with reduced caffeine, salt and sugar intake, and regular exercise.

Center for Disease Control. While there is no single solution to improved cognitive function, lifestyle patterns — including adequate amounts of sleep, diet and daily exercise routines have shown to increase attention span and improve mood.

We continue to see a significant performance with Pycnogenol® in reducing oxidative stress and how that factors into improving overall cognitive function. Gianni Belcaro, lead researcher of the study. Results of the study were measured using an Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the elderly IQ Code , daily tasks, cognitive function, oxidative stress and the short Blessed tests SBT to evaluate cognitive functions COFU.

Pescatore also noted study findings on improving mood and quality of sleep.