Comparison
Omega-3 (DHA/EPA) vs Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark)
Omega-3 (DHA/EPA)
Essential fatty acids critical for brain structure and function. DHA comprises ~40% of brain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark)
Branded extract of French maritime pine bark. Procyanidin and flavonoid complex with cardiovascular, cognitive, and ADHD benefits.
| Field | Omega-3 (DHA/EPA) | Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) |
|---|---|---|
| Category | neuroprotective | neuroprotective |
| Dose range | 1000–3000mg | 100–200mg |
| Half-life | 24h | — |
| Onset | — | — |
| Evidence | EVIDENCEA | EVIDENCEB |
| Safety | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Legal (US) | USOTC | USOTC |
| PubMed refs | 5200 | 580 |
The comparison in plain English
Auto-generated from dataOmega-3 (DHA/EPA) and Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) are both in the neuroprotective category respectively. Omega-3 (DHA/EPA) Essential fatty acids critical for brain structure and function. Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) Branded extract of French maritime pine bark.
Bottom line
Omega-3 (DHA/EPA) (evidence A, safety 5/5) has a weaker evidence base than Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) (evidence B, safety 5/5). Omega-3 (DHA/EPA) has the slightly cleaner safety profile. For users new to either, the higher-evidence option is the safer first try.
Choose Omega-3 (DHA/EPA) if
Omega-3 (DHA/EPA) is the better fit when your goal aligns with its mechanism (DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a structural component of neuronal cell membranes, maintaining fluidity and supporting receptor function) and the dose range (1000–3000mg) suits your protocol. Half-life is 24h.
Choose Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) if
Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) is the better fit when your goal aligns with its mechanism (A complex of procyanidins (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), bioflavonoids, and organic acids) and the dose range (100–200mg) suits your protocol. Half-life is —h.