Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Herbalife Korea offers supplement for women experiencing menopause
Herbalife Korea's Pycno Plus, a health functional food containing Pycnogenol which is beneficial to women experiencing menopause, is seen in this file photo. Courtesy of Herbalife Korea
By Lee Min-hyung
Herbalife Korea’s functional health supplement for menopause is gaining growing traction amid the aging population and increasing number of women with premature menopause in Korea, the company said Monday.
Menopause refers to the period when ovarian function declines due to aging, resulting in associated psychological and physical changes. The advent of an aging society and Westernized dietary habits push more women to experience early menopause, according to the company.
The Korean subsidiary of the U.S. nutrient product maker also launched Pycno Plus, a health functional supplement containing Pycnogenol, which is an extract from French maritime pine bark. This is widely recognized in Europe as a natural ingredient with significant benefits, so much so that it is often referred to as “Western ginseng,” according to Herbalife Korea.
Pycno Plus contains 60 milligrams of Pycnogenol in a capsule, which is convenient for consumption. In addition to the ingredient, the product also includes essential vitamins and minerals — such as vitamin B2 and niacin for energy, and vitamin B6 for protein and amino acid utilization. It also contains pantothenic acid and biotin needed for fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism and energy production, and vitamin B12 for normal folate metabolism.
Pycnogenol is known to be a precious raw material — 1 kilogram can be extracted from 1 ton of French coastal pine bark that has grown for more than three decades. In Korea, it has been recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a functional ingredient helpful in removing harmful active oxygen and aiding in menopausal women’s health.
French maritime pine trees endure strong sea winds and sunlight along the Atlantic coast, developing thick bark with a characteristic red hue. Furthermore, they produce powerful antioxidants, one of them being Pycnogenol, to survive the harsh conditions.
Globally, interest in managing menopause is growing particularly due to the inductive effects of stress on premature menopause, as compared with previous generations of women. Given its potential effects on physical and mental health, proactive and consistent management of menopausal symptoms is necessary from the early stages. Particularly, women in their 40s and 50s are showing growing interest in Pycnogenol for such positive effects.
Products from Herbalife Korea, including Pycno Plus, are available through independent distributors of the company.