Natural Ingredients for Joint Health

Joint pain can be caused by diseases such as arthritis, gout, lupus, fibromyalgia, an injury--or even by the over use of a particular joint. Obesity is also a major contributing factor. In fact, studies show that being obese can increase your risk for joint pain. Considering that nearly 60 percent of Americans are overweight, joint pain is a common occurrence.

Conventional Drugs
Drugs regularly administered for joint pain include Over-The-Counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), Ibuprofen, Aspirin and many others. While these OTC medications do significantly reduce pain, they only treat the symptoms of joint pain, without addressing the real cause. Such treatments may also have side effects that could come with long term or repeated use. Side effects may include gastrointestinal disturbances, which could increase the risk for digestive tract erosion and lead to internal bleeding, liver failure or in extreme cases even death. According to a review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, "Anti-inflammatory drugs contribute to the cause of 16,500 deaths and more than 103,000 hospitalizations per year in the US." At approximately age 45, the ability to repair and restore damage to the body begins to lessen.

People who take NSAIDS regularly to relieve joint pain may want to consider an alternative. There is an increasing amount of research available that supports alternative methods for patients who suffer from all types of joint pain—this research has indicated that many alternative treatments have positive results. Many doctors have also begun prescribing herbals as well, raising the credibility of natural ingredients.

Natural Ingredients
Research exploring herbs and certain botanicals for naturopathic use has been abundant recently. Not only can naturopathic formulas help to relieve pain, but they can also nutritionally assist the body in delaying the progression of most joint pains, by supporting joint health. Unlike OTC and conventional drugs taken for joint pain, herbal supplements have few known side effects.

Stiffness of joints, loss of mobility and joint pains are all symptoms of aging joints. Age may lessen the body’s ability to manufacture and absorb certain nutrients necessary to repair joint cartilage and keep joints lubricated. Supplying these nutrients to the body will help to nutritionally aid joint health and support flexibility. Natural ingredients contain nutrients or compounds that stimulate the body’s natural ability to manufacture these nutrients.

To help you in your search for natural ingredients and to explain how they effect in the body, here are some ingredients you should look for in an herbal joint health supplement.

Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine is a precursor for glycosaminoglycan, which is an important component in connective tissues, especially joint cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate derived from shellfish is believed to nutritionally help strengthen your body’s cartilage and help in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycan. Studies show that Glucosamine sulfate may help to support comfortable joints.. Studies have also pointed to glucosamine sulfate’s ability to help the body in promoting cartilage growth, thereby supporting mobility and flexibility of joints.1-3

The Mayo Clinic states that there is strong scientific evidence to validate the use of glucosamine sulfate in mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. There is also good scientific evidence for its use in arthritis.

MSM
MSM stands for Methylsulfonylmethane. It is a dietary supplement that is commonly used to comfort aching muscles. It works in combination with glucosamine sulfate and may enhance its efficacy, providing dual action support for joint pain. 4

Natto Kinase
Natto Kinase is an enzyme produced from boiled, fermented soybeans. There are promising studies which show that Natto Kinase is safe-to-use. It supports healthy circulation and has no known side effects.5

Boswellin
Boswellin, a natural herb obtained from the gum of the boswellia serrata tree, traditionally used for supporting joint comfort.6

Grape Seed Extract
Grape seeds have rich antioxidant value. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals, the leading cause of inflammation of joints. Grape seeds nutritionally support blood circulation and collagen synthesis. 7

White Willow Bark Extract
White willow bark extract contains an active ingredient called Salicin which is converted to salicylic acid in the intestine. Salicylic acid is an analgesic is known to nutritionally reduce joint inflammation. This natural herb is commonly used by athletes to ease joint pain. White willow bark extract provides joint pain relief without the common side effects of aspirin. 8

Yucca Root Powder
This is a medicinal herb with active ingredients of steroidal saponins and polyphenolics like resveratrol and yuccaols. These help to reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. 9

Curcumin C3
Curcumin is the extract of a spice called turmeric. Traditionally, Curcumin C3 has anti-inflammatory properties and may nutritionally stimulate the production of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone which controls the body’s inflammatory response.10

Hyal Joint
Hyaluronic acid is found in the synovial fluid of joints. It is a gel-like liquid which lubricates the joint and acts as shock absorber. Hyaluronic acid carries essential nutrients to the cartilage that help maintain their elasticity. Those who suffer from joint pains are reported to have less hyaluronic acid in the joints. Hyal joint is the supplementary form of hyaluronic acid made usually from rooster combs. Studies indicate hyal joint supplementation can nutritionally help to reduce joint pain, improve flexibility and may increase range of motion. 11

Green Lipped Mussel Extract
Green Lipped Mussel Extract contains a blend of omega 3 fatty acids including EPA and DHA. These are known to inhibit inflammation in the body. Green lipped mussel extract also contains mucopolysaccharides (another name for glycosaminoglycans), found in synovial fluid. It supports mobility of joints and supports cartilage health. 12

Bioperine
Bioperine is an extract from the fruit of the black pepper plant. This natural herb may enhance your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. 13

Interhealth Collagen Type 2
Interhealth collagen type 2 (UC-II) exhibits the ability to promote joint comfort considerably. It can help to increase range of motion and flexibility.. 14

DL-Phenylalanine
This is a blend of amino acids that supports joint comfort and joint health.15

As you age, your body’s ability to manufacture and/or absorb vital nutrients necessary to keep cartilage lubricated and joints flexible is gradually lost. An insufficiency in any one or more of the nutrients listed above may adversely affect joint health. Stiffness of joints, loss of mobility and joint pain are common complaints caused by aging joints. Supplementing the body with essential nutrients will nutritionally supply the building blocks needed to support the body’s natural ability to support joint health. GoFlex Advanced Joint Health Formula has been carefully formulated to provide the necessary components needed to nourish aging joints.

References:

1. Reginster JY, Deroisy R, Rovati LC, Lee RL, Lejeune E, Bruyere O, Giacovelli G, Henrotin Y, Dacre JE, Gossett C. "Long-term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial," Lancet, 2001 January 27; 357(9252):251-6. PMID 11214126.
2. Pavelka K, Gatterova J, Olejarova M, Machacek S, Giacovelli G, Rovati LC. "Glucosamine sulfate use and delay of progression of knee osteoarthritis: a 3-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study," Arch Intern Med, 2002 October 14;162(18):2113-23. PMID 12374520
3. Herrero-Beaumont G, Ivorra JA, Del Carmen Trabado M, et al. Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator. Arthritis Rheum 2007 Feb;56(2):555-67.
4. Usha, P.R., & Naidu, M.U.R. (2004). Randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study of oral glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and their combination in osteoarthritis. Clinical Drug Investigation, 24, 353-363
5. Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke with Potent Enzyme that Dissolves Deadly Blood Clots in Hours. Health Sciences Institute, March 2002.
6. Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7. Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial.
7. grape seed extract
8. Schmid, B., R. Ludtke, H.K. Selbmann, I. Kotter, B. Tschirdewahn, W. Schaffner, and L. Heide (2001). Efficacy and tolerability of a standardized willow bark extract in patients with osteoarthritis: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Phytother. Res. 15:344–350.
9. Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of yucca schidigera: A review. Journal of Inflammation 2006, 3:6
10. Inhibitory effect of curcumin, an anti-inflammatory agent, on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, Eur. J. Pharmacol. (Netherlands), 1992, 221/2-3, 381-384.
11. Effect of a natural extract of chicken combs with a high content of hyaluronic acid (Hyal-Joint®) on pain relief and quality of life in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Nutrition Journal 2008, 7:3
12. Whitehouse, M.W. "Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Lipid Fraction From the NZ Green-Lipped Mussel" Inflammopharmacology. 1997;5(3):237-46), PubMed 17638133.
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14. Trentham D.E., Dynesius-Trentham R.A., Orav E.J., et al. Effects of oral administration of type II collagen on rheumatoid arthritis. Science, 261, 1727,1993.
15. Walsh NE, Ramamurthy S, Schoenfeld L, Hoffman J. Analgesic effectiveness of D-phenylalanine in chronic pain patients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1986 Jul;67(7):436-9.
16. Balagot RC, Ehrenpreis S, Kubota K, Greenberg J. Analgesia in mice and humans by D-phenylalanine: Relation to inhibition of enkephalin degradation and enkephalin levels. In: Bonica JJ, Liebeskind JC, Albe-Fessard DG, eds., Advances in Pain Research and Therapy, Vol 5. New York: Raven Press, 1983, 289–93.
17. Budd K. Use of D-phenylalanine, an enkephalinase inhibitor, in the treatment of intractable pain. In: Bonica JJ, Liebeskind JC, Albe-Fessard DG, eds., Advances in Pain Research and Therapy, Vol 5. New York: Raven Press, 1983, 305–8.