Methods for Bone and Joint Health Support: What Leads to Joint Problems and How Can I Support Mine?

Millions of men and women in the United States are in need of bone and joint health support as they are at risk for developing joint health concerns involving the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. This commonly occurs in the knees, hips and spine. In fact, statistics from iData Research, a leading international medical market research and consulting firm, show that approximately 1.6 million hip and knee replacements were performed in the U.S. in 2017.

What Leads to Joint Problems?

• Wear and tear on the joints occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in your joints gradually deteriorates.
• Repeated stress on the joint.
• Inflammatory chemicals known as cytokines that come from the immune system.
• Women are more likely to develop joint problems than men.
• Extra body weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints. Fat also produces proteins that can contribute to inflammation around the joints.
• Aging, leading to less lubricating fluid between the joints.
• Certain metabolic diseases can increase risk of joint problems.
• Joint injuries.

Here are our 5 favorite natural compounds and herbs for supporting joint health. Furthermore, you might also find that they help to postpone replacement surgeries.

1. ParActin®

ParActin is a patented extract of the Andrographis paniculata, or green chiretta plant. Aching joints are often a result of nasty inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) within your immune system. ParActin® helps neutralize these cytokines, including COX-2, iNOS, and even NF-kappaB, a particularly nasty pain trigger! As a result, it helps support a healthy inflammatory response while easing minor joint pain and stiffness.

Andrographis paniculate, King of Bitters being it’s common name, has been one of the most widely used herbs in ancient Asian and Ayurvedic medicine for the support of a variety of ailments. Due to scientific research, today it identifies as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published May 2019 in Phytotherapy Research evaluated the impact that ParActin®. ParActin® is a patented, standardized extract of Andrographis. This study examined the effect ParActin® had on 103 men and women with knee pain. At the end of the study, the group that took ParActin® in 300 and 600 mg/day dosages showed less stiffness, more movement, and better quality of life. The researchers concluded that ParActin® in these daily dosages (depending on what each patient needed) were found to be effective and safe in improving the flexibility, mobility, range of motion and overall quality of life for individuals with mild to moderate knee issues.³

2. Boswellia

Boswellia has been the subject of hundreds of studies for its benefits as a natural anti-inflammatory. Research shows that Boswellia helps neutralize the pain enzymes Cox-2 and 5-lox. It also increases blood flow to joints, which helps reduce swelling and inflammation.

Boswellic acids come from the herb Boswellia serrata. This herb has been popular for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to support a wide range of health complaints. Boswellia is one of the most thoroughly studied natural remedies for inflammatory diseases. In addition, Boswellia acids support swelling and discomfort in knee joints.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a standardized oral supplementation of an extract of Boswellia serrata. Forty eight patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were given the extract or placebo for 120 days. The patients who took the supplement had significant reduced pain and stiffness, and improved movement, compared with the placebo group. The extract also significantly reduced the serum levels of C-reactive protein, a potential inflammatory marker associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. Not to mention, no serious adverse events are in relation to this study. Phytotherapy Research, May 2019.⁴

3. Bromelain

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that comes from a plant, specifically the stem of the pineapple plant. It is most notable for its effectiveness in the reduction of inflammation and the decreasing of swelling. Bromelain has also been helpful in reducing the discomfort associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.⁵ A study at the University of Reading, United Kingdom demonstrated that bromelain helped reduce inflammation and acute, mild pain in 77 people with osteo-arthritis in the knee. ⁶

In another study of patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, 45 patients were given an oral enzyme therapy containing bromelain and 45 patients were given an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). At the end of the six weeks, there was virtually no difference in effectiveness between effects with an oral enzyme and an NSAID. Relief from stiffness and ability to move around was also virtually the same. ⁷

4. Devil’s Claw

Native to Southern Africa, the name of this sinister-sounding plant is from the small hooks that cover its fruit. But Devil’s Claw has a long reputation as a natural pain reliever and it’s still prevalent throughout Europe to fight inflammation and ease joint aches. Furthermore, several studies show that taking Devil’s Claw for 8 to 12 weeks can reduce pain and improve physical functioning in people with joint problems.

A 2007 study at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland found that 259 patients who took the herb for 8 weeks had significant improvement in hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and back pain. In fact, 60% of the patients either reduced or stopped taking their pain medication.⁸

5. Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM)

Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM) is a dietary supplement that contains natural glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen and hyaluronic acid. All of these components are essential for maintaining healthy joint and connective tissues. In addition, of all the types of eggshell membranes used in joint supplements, NEM has the best bioavailability, the highest protein levels, and the best human clinical research backing it up.

Two human clinical studies found that patients who took 500 mg. of NEM once a day had significantly reduced pain and increased flexibility, after just seven days, and continuously after 30 days. One study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging, February 2019, evaluated 60 healthy postmenopausal women who took either NEM 500 mg or placebo once daily for two weeks. The women had an exercise regimen of taking 50-100 steps per leg on alternating days. NEM rapidly improved recovery from exercise-induced joint pain on day 8 and stiffness on day 4. The women also experienced reduced discomfort immediately following exercise.⁹

In a second double-blind study, patients were divided into two groups. Half of the volunteers were given NEM®. The other half were given a placebo. At the end of the 4-week study, the NEM® group experienced a 44% improvement in joint mobility. Furthermore, they also experienced a remarkable 76% reduction in their pain within the first 7 days.¹⁰  Millions of people suffer from painful, stiff joints. Substantial evidence now shows that — despite the typical medical response to prescribe medication to reduce symptoms — exercise, a healthy diet, weight management, and nutritional supplementation can support a healthy skeletal system and alleviate the discomfort associated with weak joints and back pain.

Where Can I Find Help?

EffiHealth offers PerformaFlex. This the only joint formula to combine two clinically-studied, patented ingredients: ParActin® and NEM®. In addition, it also includes a proprietary joint-soothing blend of 3 well-researched nutrients. Studies have shown that the patented ingredients in PerformaFlex relieve joint swelling and discomfort dramatically within 7 days!