PYCNOGENOL Reduces High-Blood Pressure - expert says.

Lead investigator Ronald Watson, PhD, College of Public Health, and School of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, in Tucson, AZ, conducted an 11 patient double-blind placebo controlled crossover study with Pycnogenol® and Stage 1 hypertensive patients resulting in significant reduction in blood pressure. In the study entitled, A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Prospective, 26 Week Study to Determine the Role of Pycnogenol in Modifying Blood Pressure in Mildly Hypertensive Patients, subjects were given 200 mg of Pycnogenol® French Maritime Pine Bark Extract per day for eight weeks. Pycnogenol® reduced systolic blood pressure to 134 mmHg, and reduced diastolic blood pressure to 94 mmHg in patients participating in the study.

The 11 patients had an average age of 50 years and mild hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure of 140-159 mmHg, and/or diastolic pressure of 90-99 mgHg. People with blood pressure within this range are considered to be Stage 1 Hypertensive and are not routinely treated with pharmaceutical drugs. The study participants refrained from using any medication.

«Hypertension affects nearly 50 million Americans, and is the number one cause of heart attacks and strokes, and 40,000 deaths a year,» says Dr. Watson. «Our research here demonstrates Pycnogenol's ability to elevate the production of nitric oxide in the vessel walls to reduce blood pressure which may help decrease hypertensive morbidity and mortality.

Muscles surrounding blood vessels control their diameter and blood flow and pressure. Stress hormones instruct muscles to constrict and reduce diameter while increasing blood pressure. Nitric oxide, on the other hand, relaxes muscles, expands blood vessels and improves blood flow, thus lowering blood pressure.