A wonder drug from the bark of a pine tree could revolutionise treatment of heart disease and slow some effects of ageing, it was claimed yesterday.

The natural chemical Pycnogenol is five times better than traditional drugs such as aspirin at preventing the clustering of platelets in the blood - a major cause of heart disease and strokes.

It also helps the body use vitamin C more effectively and improves the skin's elesticity.

Pycnogenol is derived from the nutrient-rich bark of the European maritime pine, which grows in South West France.

It is already known as a best selling anti-ageing supplement in America and has been available in British health shops for several years. But its ability to protect the body against heart disease and strokes has only recently come to light.

Tests carried out in Germany and America found that a single 100mg dose of Pycnogenol could stop blood from clotting. A patient would need to take 500mg of aspirin to achieve the same effect. And unlike aspirin, the bark extract does not this the blood or increase the risk of bleeding.

Scientists say that, as an antioxidant, Pycnogenol is 50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more powerful than vitamin C. Antioxidants mop up the body's free radicals - the destructive, unstable molecules which damage cells and DNA and are blamed for many diseases.

In America, some doctors claim the drug can help ease 60 medical complaints. People who regularly use the supplement - a complicated mixture of 40 natural ingredients including organic acids such as caffeic and gallic acid - say it restores health and energy, helps fight of colds and flu and improves skin quality.

Dr Lester Packer of the University of California said: 'In experiments, Pycnogenol turns off the production of nitric oxide, one of the major free radicals produced by white blood cells.

'As nitric oxide is also involved in inflammatory diseases, arthritis, diabetes and heart disease, it should have some preventative role in these conditions as well.'

Women will benefit from Pycnogenol pills after child birth, hysterectomy or heavy periods, he said.

Taken from the Daily Mail ©

Phytonol - from Nutrition For Life which has Pine Bark and Grape Seed Extract two of the most powerful antioxidants for

This product is highly recommended from Nutrition For Life