Fibromyalgia is a condition associated with generalized pain, tenderness of the muscles, pain in areas around tendon insertions, and in adjacent soft tissues. This often results in muscle stiffness, fatigue, difficulty using muscles, and poor sleep. Standard management includes exercise, application of local heat on focal pain areas, stress management, other methods to improve rest and sleep, and pain relievers. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol in patients with fibromyalgia and high oxidative stress.
The pilot study included 50 patients, 26 in the Pycnogenol group and 24 in the standard management group. As fibromyalgia is seven times more common in women than in men, all 50 patients were women.
After four weeks, oxidative stress was significantly reduced with supplementation; three patients used pain relievers in the Pycnogenol group and one used corticosteroids, while nine patients used pain relievers in the standard management group and six used corticosteroids. All subjective symptoms decreased for the Pycnogenol group compared with the standard management group, including stiffness, pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, mental cloudiness, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, and perceived stress. No safety issues were observed.
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Next steps, according to the researchers, would involve a study performed on 100 women with a wider spectrum of problems over a greater age range.The researchers conclude: “According to this pilot prevention study, Pycnogenol helps to control and reduce the intensity of the most common symptoms and complaints—particularly pain—associated with fibromyalgia. Pycnogenol also controls the elevated oxidative stress; it could be a soft, safe, supplementary solution for most of these patients even for longer management periods.”
In a press release from Horphag, makers of Pycnogenol, natural health physician Dr. Fred Pescatore stated: “This is important news for those suffering with fibromyalgia. Researchers can continue to build upon these findings. This new research is an encouraging start for fibromyalgia sufferers looking to naturally manage the intensity of their symptoms and reduce the need for drug intake.”
