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Jetlag, also called desynchronosis, is a temporary disorder that causes avariety of temporary mental and physical impairments as a result of air travelacross time zones -- common in flights to Asia and Europe, but also observedin travelers between West and East coast. It is caused due to the body'sinability to immediately adjust to the time in a different zone whiletravelling. As the body struggles to cope with the new schedule, temporaryconditions such as insomnia, fatigue, irritability and an impaired ability toconcentrate may set in.
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"This study could not have come at a better time for the upcoming holidaytravel season," said Dr. Gianni Belcaro, a lead researcher of the study.Belcaro attributes Pycnogenol's(R) combined activities for better circulationand antioxidant potency to such remarkable results. "Previous Pycnogenol(R)flight studies have shown a reduction in jetlag; however this was the firststudy to solely focus on the condition."
The study, conducted at the G. D'Annunzio University in Pescara, Italy,consisted of 133 passengers who took flights that were seven to nine hours inlength. Fifty mg of oral Pycnogenol(R) was administered three times daily, forseven days, starting two days prior to the flight.
Patients in the first part of the study were evaluated with a rating scaleconsisting of a scoring system. Thirty-eight Pycnogenol(R)-treated and 30control patients were rated on the most common complaints of jetlag:dehydration and loss of appetite; headaches and/or sinus irritation; fatigue;disorientation and/or grogginess; nausea and/or upset stomach; insomnia and/orhighly irregular sleep patterns; irritability; irrational behavior;alternation in mental performance (easy crossword); alternations in generalwellbeing; hours of duration of any signs/symptoms; and nights ofaltered/disturbed sleep. Observations were measured and taken within 48 hoursafter the end of the flights. Results showed a significantly lower score (56percent) in the Pycnogenol(R) group for all items rated, amounting in asignificant reduction of all jetlag signs and symptoms. Moreover, symptomslasted only for an average of 18.2 hours in the Pycnogenol(R) group ascompared to 39.3 hours in the control group.
In a second group of flight passengers, a brain CT scan was performedafter the flight in order to assess brain alterations after flights. The studyconsisted of 34 Pycnogenol(R)-treated patients and 31 controlled patients.Jetlag symptoms were evaluated using a rating scale providing scores accordingto the severity. The first observation was performed within 28 hours from theend of the flight. Sleep alterations, short-term memory alterations,disorientation, neurological signs/symptoms of instability, anxiety, minorcardiac alterations (heart rate, blood pressure), lower limb swelling, fatigueand other, a-specific signs/symptoms (cramps, joints/muscular pain, blurredvision, vertigo, mild sickness, increase in body temperature, appetite loss,headache, mild tongue swelling) were all significantly lower by in average61.5% in the Pycnogenol(R) group compared to the untreated control group.
"This is the first study describing diffuse subliminal swellings of thebrain after long haul flights, which we found to be reduced to less than halfin the Pycnogenol(R) group," said Dr. Belcaro
"I'm encouraged by the results of the study as Pycnogenol(R) was effectivein preventing jetlag related effects without any side-effects," said Dr.Belcaro. While more research needs to be conducted on this topic,Pycnogenol(R) is emerging as natural, yet safe option for long distancetravelers.
Pycnogenol(R) has been shown to be beneficial for flight travel inprevious studies pertaining to edema, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and bloodcirculation improvement. A study published in Clinical AppliedThrombosis/Hemostasis recorded passengers supplementing with Pycnogenol(R) onlong distance flights lasting 7-12 hours were significantly protected fromthrombotic events, complications resulting from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) andsuperficial vein thrombosis (SVT). In 2005, a study published in Clinical andApplied Thrombosis/Hemostasis showed Pycnogenol(R) to be effective in reducingleg and ankle swelling (edema) during long airplane flights lasting seven to12 hours.
About Pycnogenol(R)
Pycnogenol(R) is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of themaritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found tocontain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids,which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widelystudied for the past 35 years and has more than 220 published studies andreview articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today,Pycnogenol(R) is available in more than 600 dietary supplements,multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visithttp://www.pycnogenol.com.
Natural Health Science Inc. (NHS), based in Hoboken, New Jersey, is theNorth American distributor for Pycnogenol(R) (pic-noj-en-all) brand Frenchmaritime pine bark extract on behalf of Horphag Research. Pycnogenol(R) is aregistered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd., Guernsey, and its applicationsare protected by U.S. patents #5,720,956 / #6,372,266 and other internationalpatents. NHS has the exclusive rights to market and sell Pycnogenol(R) inNorth America and benefits from more than 35 years of scientific researchassuring the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol(R) as a dietary supplement.For more information about Pycnogenol(R) visit our Web site athttp://www.pycnogenol.com.
SOURCE Natural Health Science Inc.
