Most of us with Fibromyalgia are always looking for a way to relieve our symptoms and have less need for NSAIDs or other meds, so my ears certainly perked when I heard about a recent study that showed improved symptoms from a new Fibromyalgia supplement.
A recent study found that supplementation with French pine bark extract, trademark named Pycnogenol® from Horphag Research, helped in managing many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, including fatigue, stiffness, and migraines.
What is Pycnogenol?
Pycnogenol is a compound of natural chemicals. It comes from the bark of a European pine tree, called French maritime pine bark extract. It’s used as a natural supplement for several conditions, including dry skin and Arthritis. I know, pine bark sounds a bit out there as far as supplements go, but apparently, it contains a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids, and phenolic acids.
Pycnogenol is thought to be a potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, and is now considered a valid Fibromyalgia supplement.
The Study
In this study, 50 female patients with idiopathic fibromyalgia, with an average age of 47, were divided into two groups. One group was assigned to receive Pycnogenol with standard management. “Standard Management” included proper sleep, daily stretching and/or exercise, etc. All of the women participating in the study were shown to have elevated levels of oxidative stress at the start of the study. The women taking Pycnogenol were on a dose of 150 mg per day.
Results showed that the percentage of patients needing to take NSAIDS to reduce or relieve symptoms was significantly higher in the standard management group compared to the group taking Pycnogenol. The same was true for the use of corticosteroids. The women taking Pycnogenol also demonstrated a significant reduction in symptoms and complaints compared to standard management alone.
No safety or tolerability problems were observed during the study.
What This Study Concluded
This study, which was done in Italy, was published in multiple journals including Panminerva Medica 2021 March, stated:
The percentage of subjects with the symptoms/complaints decreased significantly, considering each symptom, with Pycnogenol® after 4 weeks [in comparison with the other group that followed standard management without using the supplement]. Pycnogenol® supplementation appears to control and reduce the intensity of common symptoms and complaints – especially pain-related – associated with FM. Pycnogenol® could be a ‘soft’, safe supplementation and prevention method to manage the symptoms of most of these patients, even for longer periods, reducing the need for drugs.
More specifically, those taking Pycnogenol saw improvements in the following symptoms:
54% decrease in the number of subjects with stiffness pain (vs 17% in the control group)
58% reduction in the number of subjects with widespread pain (vs 38% in the control group)
58% reduction in the number of subjects with pain that worsens with fatigue (vs 14% in the control group)
54% decrease in the number of subjects with fatigue (vs 21% in the control group)
55% reduction in the number of subjects with mental cloudiness (vs 5% in the control group)
71% decrease in the number of subjects with IBS symptoms (vs 8% in the control group)
100% decrease in the number of subjects with interstitial cystitis symptoms (vs 25% in the control group)
64% reduction in the number of subjects with migraines (vs 20% in the control group)
63% reduction in the number of subjects with headaches (vs 13% in the control group)
70% decrease in the number of subjects with occurrences of paresthesia (vs 14% in the control group)
35% decrease in the number of subjects with perceived stress levels (vs 5% in the control group)
Availability
There are multiple brands of this new Fibromyalgia supplement available on Amazon and Supplement Stores at fairly low cost. I’m about to start my daily regimen. I will update this post later with any improvements I experience.
I only wish this will help me the pain and stiffness and also the fog and no one believes how I feel even my family please keep me informed on your progress Good luck
When you’ve suffered for a long time, anything is worth a try, I’ve has FM/CFS for 40 years,
diagnosed just 5 years ago after countless humiliations from my Doctors and even my own family.
Don’t be afraid to try new things Charlotte one day something will work for you, I found CBD oil gave me some relief but there are so many different things with Fibro, but anything that helps is worth a try , god bless and help you with your pains and fog,
Thank you Alan, and I couldn’t agree more!
I only wish you the best of luck I am fed up with the doctors and my family just need people to believe how much I hurt and how some days I can feel ok they just can’t believe it some days I can’t even write this note, confused, fog, pain, freezing cold, I have to go to bed. Keep me informed please.
Thank you Charlotte. I hear you and feel your pain. I will keep you informed. There may also be additional things on my site that could be of help to you. There is a page about pain management, a page about Fibro fog, a page about supplements that help, info on how to calm down a bad flare and more. I wish you the best too.
Any update on the effectiveness of Pycnogenol?
Hi Carolyn, thanks for asking. I don’t have any new news on Pycnogenol. I can tell you that I was able to get this supplement in powder form and have added it into a daily protein drink that I make, into which I put multiple other supplements that help – fulvic acid minerals, boswellia, powdered multivitamins, and more, and it does seem to be helping.