AOR - Advanced Joint Support

Understanding Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease of the joints that affects a huge proportion of the population. Up to 85% of people over the age of 70 and 20% of the general population are affected by this painful disease. Healthy joints are protected and cushioned by layers of connective tissue called cartilage that allows them to move freely without any grinding or contact between the bone surfaces themselves. A special fluid in the joint capsule, called synovial fluid, is also extremely important for joint function. It acts as a natural lubricant and cushions joint movement. In patients with osteoarthritis there is a reduction in synovial fluid and a loss of cartilage that eventually leads to cartilage degeneration. This results in severe joint pain, inflammation, stiffness and an eventual loss of mobility.
 
The most common treatment for osteoarthritis involves anti-inflammatory drugs that treat the symptoms, but do not target the root cause of arthritis. These drugs are also associated with a large number of unpleasant and potentially serious side-effects and adverse reactions involving the gastrointestinal system, the skin, the nervous system, liver, kidneys and bone marrow. AOR's Advanced Joint Support is a formula containing a combination of natural herbs and compounds that work together to reduce the symptoms of arthritis and to improve joint function without the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is an essential component of the synovial fluid, which is required for proper joint lubrication and function. It also has anti-inflammatory effects. Patients with osteoarthritis have been shown to have reduced hyaluronic acid content in their joints.

Pine Bark Extract
Pine Bark extract has been shown to have beneficial effects on the symptoms of osteoarthritis through its anti-inflammatory action. In one clinical trial involving 156 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, supplementation with pine bark extract resulted in an impressive 55% decrease in pain, an overall improvement of osteoarthritis symptoms by 56% and a 58% decrease in the intake of standard pain medications.

Boswellia serrata
Extracts of the plant Boswellia serrata have been noted for their anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic properties. Boswellia extracts have even been shown to be more effective than the anti-inflammatory drug valdecoxib for improving arthritis symptoms over a six month period. Furthermore, unlike anti-inflammatory drugs, the positive effects of Boswellia persist even after intake of the herb is stopped. This suggests that Boswellia may be targeting the source of osteoarthritis, not just controlling the symptoms.

Devil's Claw
Extracts from the African plant Devil's Claw contain harpogasides - active compounds with potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-arthritic actions. Clinical trials with devil's claw have had very promising results. Devil's claw has been shown to significantly reduce the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. It reduces inflammation, helps promote cartilage regeneration and increases the production of hyaluronic acid. In one study, 171 out of 222 patients taking devil's claw reported a beneficial effect, and showed significant improvements in pain, function and stiffness scores.

Mechanisms of Action
The ingredients contained in Advanced Joint Support work via a variety of mechanisms to improve the symptoms and debilitating effects associated with osteoarthritis. Devil's claw, Boswellia serrata, and pine bark extracts all act to decrease inflammation by blocking key enzymes, like cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase, and molecules, like leukotrienes, that are involved in the inflammatory process. Boswellia serrata and devil's claw have an even broader mechanism of action, inhibiting signaling molecules and enzymes that break down collagen and proteins called glucosaminoglycans (GAGs). Collagen and GAGs are both critical components of cartilage. Devil's claw has even been shown to increase GAG synthesis, promoting the formation of new cartilage.