A new study published in the Journal on Orthopaedics & Traumatology has found that French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol, may be effective in curbing natural muscle loss due to ageing.
The study showed that daily supplementation with Pycnogenol helps to stabilize muscles during this process as well as supporting muscular function and endurance.
According to natural nutrition expert Dr Fred Pescatore: “Muscle loss due to aging can affect even the most active individuals and can result in feelings of weakness and frustrating fatigue which can interfere with our daily activities. This natural process is why opening a jar of pickles gets harder as we get older. We have less muscle to work with, so our muscles must work harder and, thus, we get tired faster.”
“This research shows that Pycnogenol can help alleviate the symptoms of sarcopenia and can support muscle function as we age,” added Pescatore.
The study comprised 64 adults between 70-78 who exhibited symptoms of muscle loss, sarcopenia and fatigue but were otherwise healthy. They reported feeling increased muscle endurance in completing daily tasks such as walking and stair climbing, and improved overall muscular function by over 40%.
After eight weeks, participants who took 150mg of Pycnogenol daily demonstrated a 71% improvement in muscular function and endurance in daily tasks such as carrying items, climbing stairs (52% improvement) and distance walked (38%).
In addition, Pycnogenol measurably reduced oxidative stress – a common measurement of sarcopenia, which prevents the body from normal detoxifying and repair – by 14%, and reduced proteinuria, which can indicate waste from muscle erosion, by 40%.
Those individuals who took Pycnogenol also demonstrated improved general fitness scores by more than 46% compared with the control group.
“What I found really compelling is the measurable effect Pycnogenol had on the participants in relation to completing daily tasks – the research shows that Pycnogenol can play a role in helping you stay active with greater muscular stability and maintain muscle function as you age,” Dr Pescatore noted.
