Hey friends!
I’ve switched mostly to a podcast format as I believe that the blog is a dying breed these days. But I want this one as a blog so I can share it when folks ask about Pycnogenol(r) as an FAQ.
I stay on top of a website called PubMed, where medical research is posted daily. Back in November, an article about the impact of a drug called Pycnogenol(r) (it’s made from a, “French Maritime Pine Bark Extract,” per the manufacturer’s website) used in the treatment of patients with lipedema came out. Link to the study here: Impact of Pycnogenol® Use in the Treatment of Patients With Lipedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial – PMC.
Quick note and disclaimer: I’m a patient, not a provider, and I’m not recommending anything here. Talk with your own medical providers before adding or changing your medications and supplements, OK?
What The Study Said
The research was dedicated to lipedema, of course, which is a chronic condition affecting mostly women and involves a series of symptoms including an abnormal, symmetrical buildup of fat that can be in the legs, hips, arms, abdomen, etc. It can cause pain, swelling, fatigue, and frustration because it’s often mistaken for simple obesity when the underlying condition is caused by something completely different. In this study, 100 women were split into two groups: one got the drug Pycnogenol(r) at the 50MG dose daily and one got a placebo. The study was 60 days long.
The study found that after 30 days of taking the drug, the group taking Pycnogenol(r) showed significant improvement in symptoms like pain, swelling, and fatigue. Quality of life scores improved noticeably, and there were modest improvements in weight, BMI and body fat percentage. Some symptom relief started at 30 days and continued getting better by the 60 day mark. Overall researchers concluded that Pycnogenol(r) might be a promising option to help manage lipedema symptoms and improve quality of life.
Things to Consider
The study was only 2 months long. I believe longer studies with a larger group are needed. It was one of the first studies of this kind for lipedema. So it’s promising, but not definitive. Honestly, nothing will be definitive until researchers understand what causes lipedema, and even the full spectrum of its impacts on our bodies. Many research papers show common comorbidities. Heck, even in the last week, I did a podcast on a study involving 1000 lipedema patients that showed a strong number of patients had migraines, a common vitamin D deficienncy, and other co-morbidities outside of the standard ones we hear that go with lipedema like hypermobility.
Lipedema is a condition I have, and one of the conditions where patients feel like there aren’t too many effective non-surgical options. So seeing something that might help with symptoms and quality of life kind of intrigues me, personally. And I yet, I’m always suspicious of new supplements and plan extracts that show up with hype and always someone trying to sell me something.
Do you or someone you know with lipedema actually use Pycnogenol? Has it helped? Drop me a line at legslikemine@gmail.com or reply here to share your side of the story. I’d also like to know what side effects you had, if any. Also, where are you getting it? I noticed on the manufacturer website that they partner with a ton of brands, including GNC, and brands sold on Amazon and Walmart, and that it’s offered in varying doses.
OK that’s about it. I’ll let you know if I decide to try it and give it the old 60 day trial. Until then, I’m going to keep moving by swimming and using resistance exercises while I think about it.
Stay healthy, and stay curious, friends,
Susan
PS: The link I have for Amazon is an affiliate link, so if you use that one, I do receive a commission on sales. Again, I’m not recommending anything because, I’m a patient, not a doctor. ; )
