Enzogenol® Pine (Pinus Radiata) Bark Extract

Enzogenol® is a standardised pine bark extract derived exclusively from New Zealand radiata pine (Pinus radiata) that is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) with potent antioxidant, cognitive, and anti-inflammatory benefits — making it a premium botanical for women over 35 seeking evidence-based support for brain health, cardiovascular function, and stress resilience. In element³ RISE (AM Formula), Enzogenol® is dosed at 60mg to support cognitive performance, mood stability, and healthy inflammatory responses. If brain fog has become your afternoon companion and your ability to focus feels diminished, Enzogenol® targets the cerebrovascular and neuroinflammatory pathways that may be driving these changes.

Enzogenol® Pine (Pinus Radiata) Bark Extract

[ 01 ] Key Facts

Dose in element³ 60mg
Form Enzogenol® — standardised OPC extract from NZ Pinus radiata bark; water-extracted, no solvents
Signs you may need more Declining concentration, brain fog, increased anxiety, slow recovery, persistent low-grade inflammation
Safe range 20–450mg daily. Clinical studies have used doses from 50mg to 480mg with no significant adverse effects. element³ uses 60mg as part of a multi-ingredient formula.

Food sources

  • Grape seeds
  • Cocoa

[ 02 ] Rationale

Why this ingredient is in element³

OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) are a class of polyphenol compounds with exceptional antioxidant potency — in vitro assays estimate OPC radical-scavenging activity at 20–50 times that of Vitamin C and Vitamin E, though in vivo activity reflects the broader complexity of human metabolism. Enzogenol® concentrates these OPCs from NZ radiata pine bark through a water-only extraction process (no chemical solvents), preserving the full spectrum of proanthocyanidins and related polyphenols in their native state.

Enzogenol®’s cognitive benefits have been the subject of multiple clinical trials conducted in New Zealand. At doses of 50–480mg, it has been shown to improve cognitive performance in areas including memory recall, processing speed, and attention. The mechanism involves improved cerebral blood flow (increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain tissue) combined with direct antioxidant protection of neural membranes and reduction of neuroinflammatory markers.

The cardiovascular dimension is equally significant. OPCs support endothelial function — the health of blood vessel linings — by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability, which promotes healthy blood flow and vascular flexibility. This has implications for everything from blood pressure regulation to exercise recovery to skin appearance (microcirculation influences skin radiance and healing).

Within the RISE formula, Enzogenol® is element³'s standout New Zealand botanical antioxidant. Its OPCs support cerebrovascular function and provide antioxidant protection that complements the broader formula. Together with the vitamin antioxidant network (C, E, Selenium) and the longevity core (NMN, PQQ, Resveratrol), these botanicals contribute to a comprehensive approach to healthy ageing that addresses both oxidative damage and systemic inflammation.

Enzogenol® is exclusively sourced from New Zealand, developed and studied by NZ researchers using NZ-grown pine bark.

[ 03 ] At 35+

Relevant at 35+

Cognitive function is one of the most sensitive indicators of ageing, and the changes often begin earlier than expected. Declining cerebral blood flow, increasing neuroinflammation, and cumulative oxidative damage to neural tissue all contribute to the brain fog, reduced concentration, and memory difficulties that women start reporting in their mid-to-late 30s. Enzogenol®’s ability to improve cerebral blood flow and reduce neuroinflammation directly addresses these specific mechanisms.

During perimenopause, oestrogen’s neuroprotective effects diminish. Oestrogen supports cerebral blood flow, promotes synaptic plasticity, and has direct antioxidant activity in neural tissue. As these protective effects fluctuate and decline, the brain becomes more vulnerable to the oxidative and inflammatory changes that Enzogenol® helps mitigate. HPA axis dysregulation and chronic cortisol elevation further impair cognitive function by increasing neuroinflammation and reducing hippocampal neurogenesis.

The anxiety-reducing properties of Enzogenol® are also relevant to this demographic. Clinical research has demonstrated improvements in mood and anxiety markers alongside cognitive benefits. For women managing the dual challenge of cognitive decline and increased anxiety during hormonal transitions, Enzogenol® provides support across both dimensions simultaneously — addressing the neurobiological underpinnings rather than masking symptoms.

[ 04 ] Your Questions

Your Questions

What is Enzogenol® NZ Pine Bark and what does it do?
Enzogenol® is a standardised extract of OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) from New Zealand radiata pine bark. It supports cognitive function, cardiovascular health, and healthy inflammatory responses through its potent antioxidant activity, improved cerebral blood flow, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Enzogenol® vs Pycnogenol® — what is the difference?
Both are pine bark extracts rich in OPCs, but they come from different species. Enzogenol® is extracted from NZ Pinus radiata using water-only extraction, while Pycnogenol® comes from French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). Both have clinical evidence, but Enzogenol® is NZ-sourced with NZ-conducted clinical trials.

Is Enzogenol® NZ Pine Bark extract safe to take daily?
Yes. Enzogenol® has been studied in multiple clinical trials at doses from 50mg to 480mg daily with no significant adverse effects. The 60mg dose in element³ RISE is well within the researched safe range.

OPC supplement — what are OPCs?
OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) are a class of polyphenol antioxidants found in pine bark, grape seeds, and cocoa. They are estimated to be 20–50 times more potent than Vitamin C in certain antioxidant assays and support vascular health, cognitive function, and healthy inflammatory responses.

[ 05 ] The Research

2 studies

The Research

Study Key finding Why it's here
Improved cognitive performance after dietary supplementation with a Pinus radiata bark extract FormulationPipingas, A., Silberstein, R. B., Vitetta, L., Rooy, C. V., Harris, E. V., Young, J. M., Frampton, C. M., Sali, A., & Nastasi, J. (2008). Improved cognitive performance after dietary supplementation with a Pinus radiata bark extract formulation. Phytotherapy Research, 22(9), 1168–1174. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2388
Five weeks of Enzogenol® supplementation significantly improved spatial working memory and reaction time in middle-aged adults compared with placebo.
Supports cognitive performance, attention and antioxidant defence.
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Article Effects of flavonoid extract Enzogenol((R)) with vitamin C on protein oxidation and DNA damage in older human subjectsSenthilmohan, S. T., Zhang, J., & Stanley, R. A. (2003). Effects of flavonoid extract Enzogenol with vitamin C on protein oxidation and DNA damage in older human subjects. Nutrition Research, 23(9), 1199–1210. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0271-5317(03)00126-3
Enzogenol with vitamin C significantly reduced markers of protein and DNA oxidative damage in older adults relative to placebo.
Supports antioxidant defence and healthy aging.
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[ 06 ] In the Protocol

Where Enzogenol® Pine (Pinus Radiata) Bark Extract sits in the element³ Protocol

In RISE (AM Formula), Enzogenol® at 60mg delivers NZ-sourced OPCs that support cognitive performance through improved cerebral blood flow and neuroprotection, cardiovascular health through endothelial function support, and mood stability through neuroinflammation reduction. It pairs with NZ Blackcurrant Extract (anthocyanin-pathway antioxidant) for dual-mechanism botanical support, and complements the vitamin antioxidant network (C, E, Selenium) and longevity core (NMN, PQQ, Resveratrol) for comprehensive cellular defence. Taken in the morning, Enzogenol® supports mental clarity and focus throughout the day.

You can learn more about the full element³ ingredient philosophy at element3.co.nz.