Pycnogenol®, an antioxidant plant extract, in combination with vitamin C and zinc has proven effective in shortening duration of the common cold and lessening the seven common symptoms, including runny nose, nasal obstruction, sore throat, sneezing, high temperature, cough and general discomfort, according to a new study published in the journal Otorinolaringologia.
Researchers at the Chieti-Pescara University in Pescara, Italy, evaluated the effect of Pycnogenol on the signs and symptoms of an established cold in four variations: Pycnogenol alone; Pycnogenol + vitamin C; Pycnogenol + Gluconate Zn (zinc compound) and a trio combining all three. These groups were compared to each other and to a control group only using leading over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products.
The study focused on two phases. The first phase followed 73 healthy volunteers with no history of serious illness. At the first sign of a cold, 40 subjects supplemented with 50mg of Pycnogenol two times daily while 33 subjects only used OTC treatment. Results concluded the duration of the cold decreased significantly in comparison with controls.
The second phase followed 196 patients with colds, divided into three groups and given the three separate variations of supplementation for five days or more. Both phases of the study evaluated subjects between the ages of 25 and 70 years and conducted a follow-up examination after three days.
The trio (100mg Pycnogenol + 200mg vitamin C + 30mg Gluconate Zn per day) showed the most success in shortening the duration of symptoms to four days, as compared to the average of seven days. The other three variations also out-performed the control group in daily regression of the common cold symptoms. The combination also controlled excess inflammation and swelling in the nasal mucus membrane.
Pycnogenol has been linked to an array of additional health benefits, including improvement of kidney damage and heart function.
