Much of the latest research into improving cardiovascular health
focuses on plant and herbal extracts, as well as carotenoids,
phytonutrients, and antioxidants. Scientific studies in Italy
have shown that heart function and blood flow of heart failure
patients can both be improved using an extract from French
Maritime Pine Bark and Coenzyme Q10 combined. When 350
milligrams of CoQ10 and 105 milligrams of Pine Bark Extract
(Pycnogenol) were administered daily over the course of 12
weeks, a difference in blood pressure and heart rate was
noticeable when compared with a control group (the control group
received a placebo). The biggest noticeable improvement between
these two groups, noted by researchers at Italy’s Chieti-Pescara
University, was an increase in blood pumping rate of 22%. The
researchers go on to report that tests on Pine Bark Extract
reveal its ability to dilate arteries and increase the strength
of heart chamber wall muscle.Â Coenzyme Q10 has been extensively
trialed and has also been shown to im