Joint support
Joint support
"Pain is the most important determinant of disability in patients with osteoarthritis"
"Incidence of osteoarthritis is higher among women than men among all age groups"
"The prevalence of osteoarthritis increases indefinitely with age, because the condition is not reversible."
Source: Bulletin of the World Health Organization – 2003
Our joints are subject to wear and tear and with increasing age the lining of joints - the "cushioning cartilage" - gradually degenerates. When cartilage has reached a significant abrasion, the articular tissue will be affected and this tissue trauma initiates a local inflammation. The consequence is a reduced flexibility of joints and pain which, left untreated, may reach excruciating levels.
In various studies, Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract demonstrated its ability to promote joint mobility and flexibility and naturally relieve the aching. It was also shown that after supplementing with Pycnogenol®, joints were more flexible and less medication was required. In addition Pycnogenol® has been found to lower inflammatory markers of joint soreness.
Consumption of Pycnogenol® was shown to limit the activation of the pro-inflammatory «master switch» NF-kB by 15.8%. This «master switch» commands the mobilization of all proinflammatory molecules, which play a destructive role in arthritis.
As a consequence, Pycnogenol® consumers generate less matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes, which are responsible for degenerating cartilage collagen in osteoarthritis. In addition, the consumption of Pycnogenol® was found to naturally inhibit generation of COX-2 enzymes during inflammation in humans, thus providing a significant contribution for lowering joint pain.
Pycnogenol® was also demonstrated to significantly lower the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) by 72% and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 30%.
This finding suggests that the anti-inflammatory activity of Pycnogenol® is effective in individuals suffering from arthritic joints.
