+ Joint-Ease - Science

Unlike many therapies that usually limit themselves to affecting one or two specific parts of the joint, Joint-Ease is a unique, scientifically designed blend of ingredients that provides nutritional support to the entire joint. One of the reasons this is the patented special enzyme pre-treatment process. This causes the protein structure to remain practically unchanged and to become active when applied orally.

Joint-Ease also stands above traditional methods because it supplies joints with the two essential protein groups – collagen and non-collagen. Proteins from the non-collagen portion become active during the acute stages and collagen proteins, as well as minerals and vitamins, are necessary for long term care of the affected areas. Because of this, Joint-Ease can help improve the protein structure of the cells, optimize the joint matrix and increase the supply of minerals and vitamins to the cells enormously.

Joint-Ease contains several ingredients that have been shown in biomedical journals to have a positive effect on joint pain and injury. Among the ingredients Joint-Ease are Glucosamine HCl, Chondroitin Sulphate, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Microcrystalline Hydroxy Apatite Complex, Shark Cartilage, Sea Cucumber, Synermune™ Colostrum and a herbal blend (Yucca Root Extract, Turmeric Root Extract, White Willow Bark, Devil's Claw, Boswellia serrata, Kelp Lead, Burdock Root Extract, Cayenne Pepper, Valerian Root and Papaya Leaf Extract).

Glucosamine HCl

Glucosamine HCl is derived from specially processed chitin, the principle component of the exoskeleton of crabs, shrimp and lobster. Glucosamine is vital to the synthesis of collagen, prostaglandins and hyaluronan. Furthermore, it provides the building blocks and the regulatory stimulus for the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Studies indicated that glucosamine is transported into the intestinal cells from the gastrointestinal tract and is well-absorbed when taken orally.

Clinical evidence shows that glucosamine can be effective in relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, glucosamine has been shown to prevent inflammation and provide pain relief. In fact, one study concluded that glucosamine was more effective than ibuprofen at providing pain relief.

Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is a complex made up of several mucopolysaccharides that vary in length, notably chondroitin-4-sulfate and chondroitin-6-sulfate. Chondroitin sulfates are classified as glycosaminoglycans, which in humans are normally found as protein complexes called proteoglycans. Proteoglycans, in conjunction with the collagen network, are responsible for cartilage’s capacity to absorb mechanical stress and strain. Therefore, Chondroitin Sulfate provides one of the key ingredients in maintaining healthy cartilage in joints. This has led to scientific testing that has concluded that it can be useful in managing the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Chondroitin is derived from cartilage sources, such as green-lipped mussels and oysters.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane, dimethyl sulfone, DMSO2) is a metabolite of DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide. MSM is a naturally-occurring sulfur compound found in the human body as well as in many common beverages and foods, including milk, coffee, tea and green vegetables. In its purified chemical form, it is an odorless, essentially tasteless, white, water-soluble crystalline solid. It is one of the least toxic substances in biology, similar in toxicity to water. It is a normal oxidation product of DMSO and may be part of the natural global sulfur cycle. MSM may provide a source of sulfur for essential animal methionine by mechanisms not yet elucidated. However, studies have demonstrated that microorganisms of the intestinal lumen are responsible for the incorporation of MSM sulfur into the sulfur found in amino acids. Since amino acids are needed for virtually all functions in the body, it is beneficial in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions.

Some of MSM's essential functions in the body include maintaining the structure of the proteins in the body, helping the formation of keratin which is essential for hair and nail growth, aiding in the production of immunoglobulin which maintains the immune system, and catalyzing the chemical reactions which change food into energy. Many years of clinical use at Oregon Health Sciences University has demonstrated that MSM provides the following pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits without serious side effects:

Microcrystalline Hydroxy Apatite Complex

Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite complex is a whole bone preparation that contains bone minerals in their natural ratios, as well as residues of the osteroid matrix, proteins, and glycosaminoglycans. This product is prepared by a patented, computerized freeze-drying process and is then released by a proprietary enzyme treatment.

The mineral component of bone is 95% hydroxyapatite. It is therefore not surprising that studies have shown that supplementation with Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite can enhance absorption of bone and increase bone density.

Shark Cartilage

Dried shark cartilage contains protein, glycosaminoglycans (primarily chondroitin sulfate) and calcium salts. In addition to providing chondroitin sulfate, shark cartilage has shown to contain analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Colostrum

To further maximize absorption of the ingredients, Joint-Ease has been fortified with Synermune™ bovine colostrum. Colostrum is a specialized pre-milk secretion of the mammary gland. It is produced by all mammals during the last weeks of pregnancy, and is the first food available to the newborn. Its most important function in nature is to boost and stimulate the immune system. Colostrum is an incredible source of immunoglobulins, nutrients, vitamins and minerals, nucleotides, immunoenhancing molecules and growth-stimulating factors, and is vital to the newborn’s health, nutrition, and development. Colostrum has been called ‘White Gold’ because of its critical role in maintaining and enhancing the health and immunity of vulnerable newborns. Synermune colostrum uses bovine rather than human colostrum as it is richer in immune-enhancing factors. The structures of the immunoglobulins, nutrients, immunoenhancing molecules and growth factors in bovine colostrum are nearly identical to those found in human colostrum. The molecules are, therefore, able to function very effectively in the human body. The benefits of supplementation with bovine colostrum have been proven in studies published in peer-reviewed biomedical journals.

Due to the many growth factors it contains (including epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor I) colostrum promotes intestinal health and growth of the brush border. This greatly increases the surface area for absorption thereby facilitating nutrient uptake. Also, the immune enhancing components of colostrum (including immunoglobulins and lactoferrin) will prevent invading pathogens from causing damage to the intestinal cells which would also decrease digestive and absorptive function.

Herbal Blend

The Joint-Ease herbal blend is a synergistic combination of anti-inflammatories, vaso-dilators and pain relievers. It includes Green Papaya Leaf extract, Valerian Root, Cayenne Pepper, Burdock Root extract, Kelp leaf, Boswellia serrata, Devil’s Claw, White Willow Bark extract, Tumeric Root extract and Yucca Root extract.

Safety

This product is not meant for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those who may become pregnant. As with all products containing herbal ingredients, consult a health care professional prior to use if you are taking any prescription drugs; have a history of, are at risk of, or are predisposed to liver or kidney disease; have a serious infection or infectious disease; are an organ transplant recipient; have had recent major surgery; or consume more than two drinks of alcohol per day.

References

• Anderson, et al., 1995. Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein intake on serum lipids. N Engl J Med 333:276-282.
• Ballard, F.J., Nield, M.K., Francis, G.L., Dahlenburg, G.W., and Wallace, J.C. 1982. The Relationship Between the Insulin Content and Inhibitory Effects of Bovine Colostrum in Protein Breakdown in Cultured Cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 110:249-254.
• Bucci LR. Chondroprotective agents. Glucosamine salts and chondroitin sulfates. 1994. Townsend Lett Doct 126:52-4.
• Dickinson, E.C., Gorga, J.C., Garrett, M., Tuncer, R., Boyle, P., Watkins, S.C., Alber, S.M., Parizhskaya, M., Trucco, M., Rowe, M.I., and Ford, H. 1988. Immunoglobulin A supplementation abrogates bacterial translocation and preserves the architecture of the intestinal epithelium. Surgery 124:284-290.
• Drovanti, A, Bignamini AA, Rovati AL. 1980. Therapeutic activity of oral glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthrotis: a placebo-controlled double-blind investigation. Clin Ther 3(4):260-72.
• Fontenele JB, Araujo GB, de Alencar JW, et al. 1997. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effedts of shrark cartilage are due to a peptide molecule and are nitric oxide (NO) system dependent. Biol Pharm Bull 20(11):1151
• Greenberg, P.D., and Cello, J.P. 1996. Treatment of severe diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum with oral bovine immunoglobulin concentrate in patients with AIDS. J. Acquir. Immune Defic, Syndr. Hum. Retrovirol. 13:348-354.
• Harmsen, M.C., Swart, P.J., de Bethune, M.-P., Pauwels, R., De Clercq, E., The, T.H., and Meijer, D.K.F. 1995. Antiviral Effects of Plasma and Milk Proteins: Lactoferrin Shows Potent Activity against Both Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Human Cytomegalovirus Replication In Vitro. J. Infect. Dis. 172:380-388.
• Holt s. Bone and joint health. Part 2 – Dietary supplements. 1998. Altern Complement Ther 4(3):195-205.
• Inglot, A.D., Janusz, M., and Lisowski, J. 1996. Colostrinine: a proline-rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum is a modest cytokine inducer in human leukocytes. Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp. (Warsz) 44:215-224.
• Janusz, M., Wieczorek, Z., Spiegel, K., Kubik, A., Szewczuk, Z., Siemion, I., and Lisowski, J. 1987. Immunoregulatory properties of synthetic peptides, fragments of a proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) from ovine colostrum. Molecul. Immunol. 24:1029-1031.
• Kerzberg Em, Roldan Ej, Castelli G, et al. Combination of glycosaminoglycans and acetylsalicylic acid in knee osteoarthrosis. Scand J Rheumatol 16(5):377-80.
• Okhuysen, P.C., Chappell, C.L., Crabb, J., Valdez, L.M., Douglass, E.T., and DuPont, H.L. 1998. Prophylactic Effect of Bovine Anti-Cryptosporidium Hyperimmune Colostrum Immunoglobulin in Healthy Volunteers Challenged with Cryptosporidium parvum. Clin. Infect. Dis. 26:1324-1329.
• Opleta-Madsen, K., Hardin, J., and Gall, D.G. 1991. Epidermal growth factor upregulates intestinal electrolyte and nutrient transport. Am. J. Physiol. 260:G807-G814.
• Opleta-Madsen, K., Meddings, J.B., and Gall, D.G. 1991. Epidermal Growth Factor and Postnatal Development of Intestinal Transport and Membrane Structure. Pediatr. Res. 30:342-350.
• Pakdaman, R., Petitjean, M., and El Hage Chahine, J.-M. 1998. Tranferrins: A mechanism for iron uptake by lactoferrin. Eur. J. Biochem. 254:144-153.
• Pipitone VR. 1991. Chondroprotection with chondroitin sulfate. Drugs Exp Clin Res 17(1):3-7. Setnikar I, Pacini MA, Revel L. 1990. Antiarthritic effects of glucosamine sulfate studied in animal models. Arzneimittelforschung 41(5):542.
• Tapadinhas MJ, Rivera IC, Bignamini AA. 1982. Oral glucosamine sulphate in the management of athrosis:report on a multi-centre open investigation in Portugal. Pharmatherapeutica 3(3):157-68.
• Yamauchi, K., Wakabayashi, H., Hashimoto, S., Teraguchi, S., Hayasawa, H., and Tomita, M., 1998. Effects of orally administered bovine lactoferrin on the immune system of healthy volunteers. Adv Exp Med Biol 443:261-265.
• Vaz AL. 1982. Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthrosis of the knee in out-patients. Curr Med Tes Opin 8(3):145-9.