Did you know that some plants are actually really good for joint health? These plants are researched for their excellent medicinal properties to improve joint mobility, reduce pain and inflammation.
In a series of 4 articles, let us discover 4 plant-based ingredients that are most beneficial for your joints!
Let us start with the first plant, Indian Frankincense.
If you search “what is resin” on Google, you may see images of thick, sticky substances oozing out from tree barks. This substance is known as “tree resin”, which is widely used for multiple purposes, such as in the making of perfumes and cosmetics. Tree resins are also used for medicinal purposes, and in today’s article, we will exploring a particular plant resin beneficial for the joints ⎼ Indian Frankincense, or Boswellia Serrata.
Boswellia Serrata is a tree that grows in the dry mountainous regions of India, Northern Africa and the Middle East¹. The resin from the stem of Boswellia Serrata is known as Indian Frankincense, which has been clinically shown to help protect joint cartilage, slow down the wear and tear of our joints and reduce inflammation².
Indian Frankincense protects the joint cartilage
We use our joints every single day for movement. This results in the gradual wear and tear of the cartilage at our joints as our bone ends rub against each other. Our joints may also become inflamed as a result.
Indian Frankincense helps to protect our cartilage from these inflammatory damage hence allowing the cartilage to recover and rebuild. It is also able to increase the production of a substance called Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) which improves our joints’ ability to carry weight, including the weight of our own body³. Overall, Indian Frankincense protects our cartilage from damage and improves GAG production to improve joint function², helping our joint cartilage to rebuild and recover effectively.
Indian Frankincense slows down wear and tear of joints
Our joints undergo wear and tear over time due to our daily movements and this results in the gradual loss of joint cartilage essential to cushion the bones. This results in a viscous cycle as the loss of joint cartilage leads to symptoms such as pain and inflammation of the joints.
Under such inflammatory conditions, our joint cartilage responds by producing a substance called “MMP-3” that unfortunately causes further joint degradation, adding on to the usual wear and tear. Indian Frankincense stops MMP-3 production, slowing down the wear and tear of our joints².
Indian Frankincense reduces joint inflammation
Joints can be inflamed due to several reasons such as injuries, swelling, arthritis, etc. During inflammation, inflammatory cells are transported to the joints and this can lead to further joint damage.
Indian Frankincense is able to stop the transportation of these pro-inflammatory cells to the joints, preventing potential inflammation⁴.
The Achilles heel of Indian Frankincense
Indeed, Indian Frankincense possesses great medicinal effects in managing joint issues, but its effectiveness is unfortunately limited due to its poor bioavailability – it is poorly absorbed and thus, difficult to be used by the human body.
As a result, researchers have tried to come up with new formulations of Indian Frankincense that have increased bioavailability, one such improved formulation being AFLAPIN™.
AFLAPIN™ differs from the normal Indian Frankincense as it contains Boswellia Serrata non-volatile oil. The addition of this non-volatile oil helps to increase its absorption and confer higher bioavailability. AFLAPIN™ also contains more of the active compound in Indian Frankincense, hence increasing its medicinal effects and leading to more beneficial health effects.
Hence, AFLAPIN™’s therapeutic effects are more potent than your usual Boswellia Serrata extracts. Clinical studies also show that AFLAPIN™’s effects are seen as early as 5 to 7 days⁴'⁵. This provides a quick relief of joint symptoms.
AFLAPIN™ is also able to synergize with other natural ingredients to bring about greater benefit to the joints. In this manner, these plant extracts can work together to maximize their medicinal benefits in relieving joint pain and inflammation.
AFLAPIN™ can be found in supplements such as Ginflex™ which is scientifically formulated with 4 plant based ingredients to optimize joint health
Stick around for next week’s article where we talk about other plant based ingredients that can help you with your joints!
References
Siddiqui, M.Z. (2011). Boswellia Serrata, A Potential Antiinflammatory Agent: An Overview. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, [online] 73(3), pp.255–261.
Sengupta, K., Kolla, J.N., Krishnaraju, A.V., Yalamanchili, N., Rao, C.V., Golakoti, T., Raychaudhuri, S. and Raychaudhuri, S.P. (2011). Cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effect of Aflapin: a novel Boswellia serrata extract. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 354(1-2), pp.189–197.
Sharma, A., Wood, L.D., Richardson, J.B., Roberts, S. and Kuiper, N.J. (2007). Glycosaminoglycan profiles of repair tissue formed following autologous chondrocyte implantation differ from control cartilage. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 9(4), p.R79.
Sengupta, K., Krishnaraju, A.V., Vishal, A.A., Mishra, A., Trimurtulu, G., Sarma, K.V., Raychaudhuri, S.K. and Raychaudhuri, S.P. (2010). Comparative Efficacy and Tolerability of 5-Loxin® and Aflapin® Against Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Clinical Study. International Journal of Medical Sciences, pp.366–377.
Vishal, A.A., Mishra, A. and Raychaudhuri, S.P. (2011). A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Clinical Study Evaluates the Early Efficacy of Aflapin® in Subjects with Osteoarthritis of Knee. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 8(7), pp.615–622.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. The disclaimer also provides that no warranties are given in relation to the medical information supplied in the article, and that no liability will accrue to Miraco Nutripharm Pte Ltd or any affiliated authors in the event that a user suffers any loss as a result of reliance upon the information.