Osteoarthritis Support

Dear Friends

Rosehips and boron provide significant reduction in pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA).

Through improved detection methods, OA is proving to be an inflammatory condition where inflammatory pathways are up-regulated with low-level increases in C-reactive protein (Spector, 1997; Abramson, 2004).

Therapeutic Food recipe to support the reduction and prevention of Osteoarthritis:

• Fructo Borate Complex: 1-2 capsules daily
• Phyto Power: 2 capsules daily
• No. 7 Systemic Booster: 1 tsp daily

Food Science

Fructo Borate Complex:  In their inital 2011 pilot study research from Scorei et al. sought to determine whether 15 days of dietary supplementation with fructo borate could acutely modulate inflammatory and lipid blood markers in individuals with primary OA.

Out of 116 initial sujects 60 completed the study as designed.  The aim was to compare the effects of fructo borate to placebo.  The inflammatory biomarkers looked at were C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FBR) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

These inflammatory markers were convincing because in all the boron-supplemented participants levels of CRP, FBR and ESR were reduced but not in the ones receiving the placebo.

If you click on the Fructo Borate Complex link above it will take you to our monograph on this product and the original research conducted on it in Yugoslavia by Miljukovic et al., where they demonstrated significant reduction in pain, swelling and in an increased mobility in affected arthritic joints.  They utilized the WOMAX Index and the Newnham Criteria.

Phyto Power:  contains three species of wildcrafted Alaskan Rosehips (the whole fruit and seeds), four species of wildcrafted dandelions (aerial parts 90% w/w, roots 10% w/w and flower), and four species of wildcrafted blueberry (fruit >95% w/w and leave and stems < 5% w/w).

Christensen et al, in their meta-analysis, looked at three studies of 287 OA patients over a 3-month trial and concluded that rosehip powder consistently reduced pain scores and that patients taking the rosehip were twice as likely to respond as the placebo group. In contrast to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin, rosehip has anti-inflammatory actions that do not have ulcerogenic effects and do not inhibit platelets nor influence the coagulation cascade or fibrinolysis. (Christensen, 2008).

Wintheri et al. (2005) studied 94 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee to ascertain the effectiveness of rosehip (Rosa canina or dog rose). They conclude rosehip helps to reduce pain, swelling and suffering; alleviate sympotoms of osteoarthritis, and reduce the consumption of rescue medication. The dosing was 5 capsules (500 mg per capsule) BID for 3 months.  (Note: the dog rose is not a strong rosehip, hence the large dosage.)

High levels of the carotenoid lycopene are found in the Alaska rosehip.  Lycopene has gained attention for its strong antioxidative capabilities and for its potential to play a protective role against a number of chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis (Rao, 2007).

No. 7 Systemic Booster: contains a higher potency proprietary blend of our pedigreed Bulgarian probiotic bacteria, plus an important fusion of organic whole fruits, berry extracts, chicory root soluble fiber with carefully selected complimentary nutriceuticals (including Vitamin D-3).

A healthy GI tract microbiome is essential to reducing chronic inflammation throughout the body including in conditions associated with OA (Vitetta, 2013).

Bibliography

• Abramson SB. (2004) Inflammation in osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol Suppl; 70: 70-76.
• Christensen et al. (2008).  Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? — a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritic and Cartilage; 16(9): 965-972.
• Cohen M. (2012). Rosehip- an evidence based herbal medicine for inflammation and arthritis. Aust Fam Physician; 41(7): 495-8.
• Miljkovic et al. (2009). Calcium Fructoborate:  plant-based dietary boron for human nutrition. J Diet Suppl;6:211-226.
• Rao AV, Rao LG. (2007). Carotenoids and human health. Pharmacol Res; 55: 207-216.
• Scorei RI, Rotaru P. Calcium fructoborate—potential anti-inflammatory agent. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011
• Spector et al. (1997).  Low-level increases in serum C-reactive protein are present in early osteoarthritis of the knee and predict progressive disease. Arthritis Rheum; 40(4): 723-727.
• Vitetta et al. (2013).  The Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Musculoskeletal Diseases:  A Beneficial Role for Probiotic and Prebiotics. Pathogens; 2(4); 606-626.
• Winther K et al. (2005). A powder made from seeds and shells of a rosehip subspecies (Rosa cnina) reduces symptoms of knee and hip asteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Scnd J Rheumatol; 34(4): 302-8.

Sincerely yours,

Seann Bardell

We have developed our products based on scientific research and/or the practical experience of many healthcare practitioners.  There is a growing body of literature on food based nutrition and supplements and their application in support of our health. Please use our products under the advisement of your doctor.

Green Facts:

Newnham RE. (1991) Agricultural Practices Affect Arthritis. Nutrition & Health; 7:89-100.