Arthritis literally translates as “joint inflammation.” A common affliction in the United States, Arthritis is estimated to afflict somewhere between 23 to 45 million Americans at present. Although there is no cure for the many types of arthritis, relieving the symptoms due to the two most common types1, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has become a serious issue to both the pharmaceutical and the supplement industries. We here at Certified Natural Laboratories offer our new product, Flexisyn, with the hope of reducing the discomfort caused by arthritic symptoms.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): Antioxidants are known as cell protectors. During normal cellular respiration, the oxygen involved can create damaging by-products called free radicals. Left unchecked, free radicals may contribute to heart damage, cancer, cataracts and other inflammations, including arthritis. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, has been shown in numerous studies to be particularly effective in binding these free radicals, rendering them harmless2. In a recent study3, Vitamin C intake was shown to be lower in individuals suffering from arthritis, suggesting that this lack of the antioxidant could increase their chances of inflammation.

B-Complex Vitamins: The B-Complex vitamins are used to create healthy cells in every part of the human body–particularly the nerve cells. In this formulas we are using Vitamins B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) and Folic Acid. Research recently conducted at the Parker Research Institute found that a combination of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 reduced pain levels in rats. Low levels of vitamin B6 have been shown to be linked with arthritis flares4. Supplementation of B6 and other antioxidants have been shown to both retard the development of mechanically-induced arthritis as well as increase the antioxidant activity level in knee joints or test animals.5 Another essential B-complex vitamin is B3. Several studies have shown that niacinamide, which converts to niacin in the body, is particularly effective in increasing flexibility of stiff joints.6 Subjects suffering from arthritic flares have been shown to be deficient in their plasma vitamin B2 levels as well.7 As with Vitamin B6, supplementation of Vitamin B2 appears to retard the development of the most common type of Arthritis, Osteoarthritis.⁷ And finally, reduced levels of Folic acid, which has been referred to B9, and B12 in the body have been linked to arthritic flares.2 A report in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (Aug 1994; 13: 351-356) reported that patients taking folic acid and Vitamin B12 could exert greater hand-grip pressure than those taking just a placebo. The participants in the study also reported less pain and stiffness, and less reliance on pain relievers.

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa): Cat’s Claw contains an alkaloid that has been shown in a recent study to reduce the number of painful joints in test subjects with rheumatoid arthritis.⁸

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium): A traditional treatment for both migraines and arthritis, feverfew contains the active ingredient, parthenolide, which has been shown to have antiinflammatory properties.⁹

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): An Ayurvedic herb used for literally centuries in healing, ashwagandha is an Asian member of the potato family. Sometimes referred to as “Indian Ginseng”, this plant is used by traditional healers for numerous ailments pertaining to inflammation. One study even showed that ashwagandha is effective against swelling (edema).¹⁰

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale): Numerous studies have indicated that arthritis sufferers experience various levels of relief from pain and inflammation when taking ginger root. One well-designed study showed that 247 patients experienced relief in their knee joints when they took ginger root capsules.¹¹

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Previously viewed in the West as strictly a spice; in the 1970's, researchers discovered that turmeric contained anti-inflammatory compounds called curcuminoids. The most studied of these compounds is curcumin. Several Indian studies have shown positive results when treating both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis with turmeric and curcumin.¹²

Kelp (Ascophylum nodosum): Kelp is a traditional medicine for arthritis, used by fisherman in Europe for centuries. It is a concentrated source of minerals, primarily iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron.¹³ Adding these minerals to the body increases the function of the thyroid gland, which is one of the main stabilizers of the body’s metabolism. A stable metabolism includes a strong immune system which can more efficiently fight the negative effects of arthritis.

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra): An herbal alternative to the steroids often prescribed by doctors to deal with inflammation due to arthritis, licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, a phytochemical that aids anti-arthritic activity.¹⁴ Even the flavonoids in licorice: Liquiritogenin, liquirtin, quecertin and rutin demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity.

¹ The Arthritis Foundation. Found online at http://www.arthritis.org/.

² Situnayake, R.D., Thurnham, D.I., et al, “Chain breaking Antioxidant Status in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Clinical and Laboratory Correlates.” Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 50: 81-86. 1991.

³ Pattison, D.J, et al. “Vitamin C and the Risk of Developing Inflammatory Polyarthritis: Prospective nested case-control study.” Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 63: 843-847. 2004.

⁴ Chiang, E.P., Bagley, P.J., et al. “Abnormal Vitamin B(6) Status is Associated with Severity of Symptoms in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.” American Journal of Medicine 114(4): 283-287. March, 2003.

⁵ Kurz, B., Jost, B. and Schunke, M. “Dietary Vitamins and Selenium Diminish the Development of Mechanically-induced Osteoarthritis and Increase the Expression of Antioxidative Enzymes in the Knee Joint of STR/1N Mice. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 10(2): 119-126. February, 2002.

⁶ Jonas, W.B., Rapoza, C.P., Blair, W.F. “The Effect of Niacinamide on Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study.” Inflammation Research 45: 330-334. 1996.

⁷ Mulherin, D.M., Thurnham, D.I., and Situnayake, R.D. “Glutathione Reductase Activity, Riboflavin Status and Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases 55(11): 837-840. November, 1996.

⁸ Mur, Erich, Hartig, Frank, et al. “Randomized Double Blind Trial of an Extract from the Penacyclic-Alkaloid-Chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Journal of Rheumatology 29: 678-81. 2002.

⁹ Reuter, U., et al. “Nuclear factor-kappaB as a Molecular Target for Inflammatory Therapy. Annals of Neurology 51: 507-516. 2002.

¹⁰ Al-Hindawi, M.K., Al-Khafaji, S.H., Abdul-Nabi, M.H., “Anti-granuloma Activity of Iraqi Withania somnifera.” Journal of Ethnopharmacy 37: 133. 1992

¹¹ Altman, R.D., Marcussen, K.C. “Effects of Ginger extract on Knee Pain in Patients with Osteoarthritis.” Arthritis and Rheumatism: November, 2001: 2531-2538.

¹² Castleman, Michael The New Healing Herbs. “Turmeric”. Bantam Publishing, New York: 2001.

¹³ Stamford Health System. Complementary Medicine. “Kelp” found online at www.stamfordhospital.org.

¹⁴ Handa, S.S., Chawla, A.S. and Sharma, A.K. “Plants with Anti-inflammatory Activity”. Fitoterapia 63(1): 3-31. 1992.

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