Pine Bark Study Shows Further Progress Against Osteoarthritis

A new study on pine bark as an osteoarthritis treatment showed Pycnogenol reduced osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms by 56% and provided pain relief. In the study, held at Italy’s Chieti-Pescara University, 156 patients with knee OA received 100 milligrams of Pycnogenol or placebo daily for three months and were evaluated using a number of tools. Patients were permitted to continue taking their choice of pain medication provided they recorded every tablet in a diary for later evaluation. Results indicated Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, was an effective OA treatment and provided OA pain relief. In addition, the Pycnogenol group also:

• • Experienced a 55% improvement in joint pain.
• • Reduced pain medication use by 58%.
• • Had a 63% improvement in gastrointestinal complications.
• • Reduced stiffness by 53%.
• • Improved physical function scores by 57%.
• • Enhanced overall well being by 64%.

“The results of this study are significant as they clearly demonstrate the clinical action of Pycnogenol on OA and management of symptoms,” said Gianni Belcaro, a lead researcher of the study. “The use of Pycnogenol may reduce costs and side effects of anti-inflammatory agents and offer a natural alternative solution to people suffering from OA.”