Less Pain, Fatigue, and Stress

Pycnogenol eased symptoms in fibromyalgia

People with fibromyalgia report having generalized pain, tender muscles and tendons, reduced movement, and poor sleep. Doctors don’t know its cause—describing the condition as “idiopathic.”

In this study, 50 otherwise healthy women with fibromyalgia, and body-mass index scores below 26, took a placebo or 150 mg of Pycnogenol® per day along with standard medical care of pain relievers and corticosteroids. At the start of the study, all participants had high levels of oxidative stress, an inflammatory condition.

After four weeks, doctors found significantly less oxidative stress in those taking Pycnogenol, while levels did not change for placebo. Three in the Pycnogenol group needed pain relievers, and one needed corticosteroids, while nine in the placebo group took pain relievers and six needed corticosteroids.

Those in the Pycnogenol group reported less stiffness, pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, and mental cloudiness. Also, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, and perceived stress were lower for Pycnogenol.

Reference: Panminerva Medica; 2021, Vol. 63, No. 1, 46-50