Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Probiotics wins 1 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
100-200mg daily
Morning with food, Can be divided into two doses
Pycnogenol (standardized extract)
10-20 billion CFU
With or without food (strain-dependent), Same time daily for consistency
Capsules with multiple strains
4-8 weeks
6-12 weeks
4-8 weeks
Initial use
2-4 weeks
4-8 weeks
4-8 weeks
First 1-2 weeks
Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020) · Meta analysis · n=7690
Pooled data suggest that phlebotonics probably increase adverse events slightly, compared to placebo (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.27; 37 studies; 5789 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
Pine bark (Pinus spp.) extract for treating chronic disorders
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020) · Meta analysis · n=1641
In a mixed group of participants with type 1 and type 2 DM we do not know whether pine bark extract decreases HbA1c (MD -0.20 %, 95% CI -1.83 to 1.43; one study; 67 participants; very low-certainty evidence).
Effect of pycnogenol supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020) · Meta analysis · n=922
Pooled analysis suggested that pycnogenol supplementation can reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) of (-3.22 mmHg; 95% CI [-5.52, -0.92]) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; -1.91 mmHg; 95% CI [-3.64, -0.18]).
Preventive Effect of Probiotics on Oral Mucositis Induced by Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
International journal of molecular sciences (2022) · Meta analysis · n=708
Three trials using Lactobacilli-based probiotics reported that the incidence of oral mucositis in the probiotic group was significantly low (risk ratio [RR] = 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77−0.93, p = 0.0004).
Probiotics for treating acute infectious diarrhoea
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020) · Meta analysis · n=12127
Effect size was similar in the sensitivity analysis and marked heterogeneity persisted.
Probiotics to prevent infantile colic
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2019) · Meta analysis · n=1886
There is no clear evidence that probiotics are more effective than placebo at preventing infantile colic; however, daily crying time appeared to reduce with probiotic use compared to placebo.
Probiotics has a higher evidence score (9/10 vs 9/10) and wins in 1 of 3 categories.
For reduce inflammation, Probiotics has a higher relevance score (95 vs 75).
No known interactions between Pine Bark Extract and Probiotics have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.