BENEFITS FOR PINE BARK EXTRACT
There have been several studies performed examining the effects of pine bark extract on cell functioning. Pine bark extract is sold under the name Pycnogenol® in the U.S. and has been examined primarily as an antioxidant. A recent study showed that 6 weeks of Pycnogenol supplementation resulted in a significant increase in oxygen radical absorbance capacity, a sensitive marker of the antioxidant capacity of plasma (1). In addition, supplementation led to improvements in lipid profiles by decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. Another study published this year, showed that supplementation with bioflavonoids prepared from pine bark extract resulted in decreased body weight and decreased body fat (2). In addition, supplementation had a positive effect on blood flow regulation. Pine bark extract might help neutralize those reactive molecules generated during weight training that cause damage to the cells they come in contact with, like muscle cells.

1. Shand B, Strey C, Scott R, Morrison Z, Gieseg S. Pilot study on the clinical effects of dietary supplementation with Enzogenol, a flavonoid extract of pine bark and vitamin C. Phytother Res. 2003 May;17(5):490-4.
2. Devaraj S, Vega-Lopez S, Kaul N, Schonlau F, Rohdewald P, Jialal I. Supplementation with a pine bark extract rich in polyphenols increases plasma antioxidant capacity and alters the plasma lipoprotein profile. Lipids. 2002 Oct;37(10):931-4

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In the real world, what would most normal trainers expect to see.

If I could buy a product which helped reduce fat on my current diet then this would be the Holy Grail of supplements!