Study Shows How Pycnogenol® Works for Managing Symptoms Related to Osteoarthritis

HOBOKEN, N.J., Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the CDC, osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the United States, affecting over 30 million Americans. A new peer-reviewed, published study shows that the polyphenols found in the French maritime pine park extract, Pycnogenol®, are absorbed directly into joints, supporting the vast catalog of research on Pycnogenol® for osteoarthritis symptom relief.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease which can significantly limit joint mobility, and can cause inflammation, stiffness and discomfort for the individual. In severe cases, this condition can warrant the need for invasive surgeries such as knee arthroplasty, a procedure for total knee replacement.

Pycnogenol® is a powerful super-antioxidant shown in decades of research to reduce inflammation in patients experiencing osteoarthritis symptoms. Pycnogenol® is a unique source of polyphenols ? micronutrients found in plants that are packed with antioxidants and provide a number of measurable health benefits. Antioxidants derived from polyphenols are shown to protect cells from free radical damage associated with degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

The new study, published in the MDPI Journal of Nutrients, is the first to measure the polyphenol distribution of Pycnogenol® in joint synovial fluid.

"This is the first evidence that polyphenols distribute into the synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis. That supports rationalizing the results of previous clinical efficacy studies that show reduced inflammation and improved comfort by supplementing with Pycnogenol®," said renowned natural health physician Dr. Fred Pescatore.

"Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that have been associated with numerous benefits for human health. This is good news for patients suffering from osteoarthritis ? and all of the patients in this study were preparing for knee arthroplasty," said Pescatore.

The double-blind study examined 33 individuals diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis scheduled for knee arthroplasty. Participants supplemented with 200mg of Pycnogenol® daily over the course of three weeks leading up to the scheduled surgeries. Synovial fluid samples were collected during surgery to detect and measure the presence of polyphenols.

Results from the synovial fluid samples show that the polyphenols found in Pycnogenol® including taxifolin, ferulic acid and catechin were distributed throughout the synovial fluid in the Pycnogenol®-tested group. Taxifolin and ferulic acid were not detected in control group serum samples.

This new study supports previous research examining Pycnogenol®'s versatile benefits for joint health and proves that polyphenols are distributed into joints. A 2008 study demonstrated Pycnogenol®'s benefits for alleviating inflammation in joints by reducing inflammatory mediators COX-2 and 5-LOX effectively alleviating joint discomfort.

This super-antioxidant is shown to naturally reduce C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels and acts as a natural nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor to reduce inflammation at the on-set and manage swelling and oxidative stress that are associated with osteoarthritis.

Previous research published in the Journal of Phytotherapy Research in 2008 also indicates that supplementing daily with Pycnogenol® reduces overall knee osteoarthritis symptoms by 20.9 percent. Pycnogenol® is shown to naturally stimulate new production of hyaluronic acid and collagen in joints to improve joint comfort associated with wear and tear of joint cartilage.

"Absorption by the body is key to realizing the benefits from natural supplements. This research shows that Pycnogenol® is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and these nutrients can reach areas of need," said Pescatore.

To review clinical research and additional information on Pycnogenol®, visit www.Pycnogenol.com. Pycnogenol® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements and multi-vitamins worldwide.

About Pycnogenol®

Pycnogenol^® is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and phenolic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits.  The extract has been widely studied for the past 40 years and has more than 340 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol^® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide.  For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com.

About Horphag Research (USA) Inc.

Horphag Research (USA) Inc., based in Hoboken, New Jersey, is the North American distributor for Pycnogenol^® (pic-noj-en-all) brand French maritime pine bark extract and Robuvit®, French oak wood extract on behalf of Horphag Research. Pycnogenol^® and Robuvit® are registered trademarks of Horphag Research Ltd. For its patented ingredient, Pycnogenol^®, Horphag Research has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award, Nutraceutical Business & Technology Safety & Quality Award, SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and The American Botanical Council's Tyler Research Award. Horphag Research (USA) has the exclusive rights to market and sell Pycnogenol^® in North America and benefits from more than 40 years of scientific research assuring the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol^® as a dietary supplement. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com and www.robuvit.com.

SOURCE Pycnogenol