Pycnogenol reduces arthritis knee pain

Pycnogenol is a plant extract from the bark of maritime pine trees that grow in the southwest of France. It suppresses inflammation, strengthens connective tissue and increases the release of nitric oxide - an important chemical for regulating blood circulation. Studies conducted with Pycnogenol show that this supplement can be helpful in the treatment of menstrual cramps, erectile dysfunction and muscle spasms.
Peter Cisar and colleagues from the Comenius University School of Medicine in Bratislav, Slovakia, found that Pycnogenol reduced pain in people suffering from arthritis of the knees. 100 subjects were given 150 milligrams of Pycnogenol or a placebo per day for a period of three months. Over the course of the study, the pain gradually decreased without any side effects occurring. At the end of the study, pain was reduced by 40 percent, 38 percent of subjects were able to reduce their dose of anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. Advil), 38 percent reported less stiffness and 52 percent reported improved physical function.
Pycnogenol appears to be a safe supplement. Side effects included nausea, drowsiness and allergic reactions. In diabetics, it could at least theoretically affect blood sugar control, but this side effect is not reported in the scientific literature. Pycnogenol appears to be a helpful and safe supplement for bodybuilders.
(Phytotherapy Research, 22: 1087-1092, 2008)