Today, we have a guest blog guest, Dr. Shavon Jackson-Michel, ND. She delves into the effects of Summer time and arthritis.
With the summer months in full swing, most people’s activity index has gone up. For some, however, the push to take advantage of the sunny days and warm nights does not negate the looming aches and pains that will await them. Though enticing, others never fully participate, as warmth and humidity create pressure and water changes in the environment that increase their joint pain. A 200 person study done by Tufts University in 2007 proved that the common complaint of weather changes affecting pain was a true phenomenon. In fact, warmer, more humid days consistently and independently elicited pain in those with joint disease, particularly of the knees. Take heart arthritis suffers; a recent (2018) study on the joint effects of two powerful anti-inflammatory herbs signals hope for sunnier days and more active seasons ahead.
Curcumin and boswellia were the two primary ingredients shown to be effective and safe in the pain and physical function-related outcomes of the 2018 BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal study. The study evaluated the branded version of curcumin, BCM-95® as well as the branded version of boswellia or frankincense, known as BosPure®. Curcumin is the active ingredient from the familiar, bright-yellow Indian spice, turmeric. BCM-95® was studied as a standalone treatment in one group of subjects, as a combination treatment with BosPure® in another group, and both groups were compared to a placebo control. All 201 participants and the researchers involved were blind to who took what and the groups were randomly assigned so that bias was limited. While the standalone BCM-95 group did significantly better after 12 weeks, those in the combination group did substantially better. Pain was reduced while the capacity to perform in functional assessments that tested joint fatigue, flexibility, distance walking and common movements such as sitting and climbing stairs, were improved.
BCM-95®and BosPure® are both primary ingredients, in the Joint Health product by Hallelujah Acres. As branded ingredients, BCM-95® and BosPure® offer profiles uncommon to their generic or branded competitors. Firstly, BCM-95® is backed by science – it is supported by nearly 50 studies! Additionally, BCM-95® is a highly concentrated, 100% turmeric derived ingredient. In the world of curcumin ingredients, this is important as many curcumin products are diluted by either unnatural, or non-native excipients or bio-enhancers. These ingredients are often used to overcome the low bioavailability of curcumin. The composition of BCM-95® however, uniquely enhances curcumin’s bioavailability by 7X by adding back into the extract, the essential oils native to their turmeric root. The essential oils, namely Ar-turmerone additionally add to the benefit profile of the brand, as they are anti-inflammatory as well. BCM-95® has also been evaluated for safety and has a 15 year track record to prove it.
BosPure® is a unique ingredient as well. Its manufacturing concentrates 3 of 6 acetylated boswellic acids (BA) into what we call the ‘Active Core’, as they are proven over the remaining non-acetylated Bas to be the most anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, the most potent of all six boswellic acids, AKBA is naturally concentrated to 10%, or 4X its native amount. BosPure is also clinically studied and proven safe.
BCM-95® and BosPure® offer a synergistic effect in dealing with inflammation and pain. While many mechanisms exist for curcumin’s role as an anti-inflammatory, one of its most common is as a COX-2 inhibitor. The COX pathway is one arm of a fork in which the messaging to trigger pain and inflammation can follow. BosPure is active in inhibiting the other arm, called LOX. Together, as the study showed, there is synergism! Enjoy the fullness of your summer and give fall a friendly welcome with Joint Health.
References:
- McAlindon T, et al. Changes in barometric pressure and ambient temperature influence osteoarthritis pain. Am J Med. 2007 May; 120(5):429-34
- Haroyan A, et al. Efficacy and safety of curcumin and its combination with boswellic acid in osteoarthritis: a comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. BMC Comp Alt Med. 2018; 18(7): DOI 10.1186/s12906-017-2062
