A Novel Cure for Jetlag
Dr Carlos  Health Expert

I haven't met anybody who at some time in his or her life has not experienced the horrors of jetlag. You know, that yucky, hung-over feeling you get anytime you cross times zones by air. Oh, the fogginess, the insomnia, the irritability, the zombie-like state that lasts for days at a time.

But there appears to be some help on the natural front.  A recent Italian study piqued my interest. It says a nutritional supplement commonly found in most health foods stores is highly effective at treating jet lag. See if this makes sense to you.

Using both the means of a medical imaging (CT) scan of the brain along with a detailed survey, Italian researchers studied 133 passengers who had taken a flight of seven to nine hours. Participants were given 50mg of Pycnogenol, an extract of the Maritime Pine Tree, three times daily, beginning two days before the flight.  The results were impressive to say the least.

Compared to the control group that had not received anything prior to or during the flight, those fed the powerful supplement experienced a 56% reduction in jet lag symptoms. Moreover, symptom duration was cut from 39.3 (typical for most people) to 18.2 hours. Now that is impressive - not only did most people have fewer symptoms, but they lasted less than half as long!

What is this tree bark product anyway?  Pycnogenol is a widely studied plant extract that has powerful antioxidant circulation-enhancing properties. Its active ingredients include bioflavonoids (also high in citrus fruits and known to reduce allergy symptoms) and procyanidins (which also give red wine and chocolate their healthy reputation). Pycnogenol is found primarily in capsule form (50-100mg strengths are most common) and doses vary according to advice from a health practitioner.

The most hopeful item of all from this study was that no participants reported any negative effects from the supplement. The impressive improvement in leg swelling, brain edema (which accounts for the headache, nausea, and out-of-it feeling so many of us experience) would certainly lend to the curiosity of this promising nutrient extract. I know I will be using it prior to my next flight.

Healthiest regards