Pine bark, CoQ10 together improve physical fitness and heart health

NaturalNews)
A new study conducted by researchers from Chieti-Pescara University in Italy has
revealed that taking pine bark extract in conjunction with Coenzyme Q10 helps
improve heart health in heart failure patients by bolstering blood pressure
regulation, strengthening endothelial function, reducing hypertension, and
improving overall physical ability.

For their single-blind,
placebo-controlled study, researchers tested the effects of Pycnogenol, a
branded version of pine bark extract, and Kaneka CoQ10, which are sold in a
combined form as PycnoQ10. The 53 study participants, which were between the
ages of 54 and 68, all had mild to moderate hypertension, and stable
congestive heart
failure. They also had heart ejection fractions lower than 40 percent of
their original capacity, which indicates very poor heart function.

When
given PycnoQ10 as part of their regular treatment regimens, heart failure patients experienced
significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure,
lowered heart rates, decreased respiratory rates, and improved heart ejection
fractions, compared to others taking a placebo. The PycnoQ10 group
was also able to walk 3.3 miles longer than the placebo group, and experienced
an impressive improvement in fitness
levels.

"Coenzyme Q10 has been extensively researched for its ability to
strengthen the heart muscle, specifically in patients with heart failure. Preclinical trials
have suggested that Pycnogenol strengthens heart chamber walls and dilates
arteries," said Dr. Belcaro, one of the study authors. "These preliminary
observations suggest that the respective contributions of Coenzyme Q10 and
Pycnogenol in PycnoQ10 may significantly improve heart
health."

And because both pine bark extract and CoQ10
are not patented pharmaceutical drugs, they are widely
available from a variety of supplement manufacturers. They also cost far less
than prescription drugs, and do not carry with them any dangerous side
effects.

Sources for this story include:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...

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