Findings from the double-blind placebo controlled community trial suggest that the supplement - known as Instaflex Joint Support - led to significant reductions in joint pain for all of the community-based adults who received supplementation.
The eight-week trial concluded that the supplement containing glucosamine sulfate, methylsufonlylmethane (MSM), white willow bark extract (15% salicin), ginger root concentrate, boswella serrata extract (65% boswellic acid), turmeric root extract, cayenne, and hyaluronic acid "is efficacious and safe to use, with no adverse symptomology or negative effects on general metabolism and liver and kidney function."
"This ... supports the use of Instaflex in reducing joint pain and improving the ability to perform daily activities, especially in subjects reporting knee pain," said the research team - led by David Nieman ofAppalachian State University, USA - who revealed that among the 74% of subjects with knee pain, difficulties performing daily activities were attenuated.
"Joint pain reduction in the Instaflex compared to placebo group was measurable by the fourth week of the study, indicating a relatively rapid response," they added - noting that symptom logs and diagnostic chemistries did not reveal any adverse effects associated with the supplement.
Study details
Nieman and his colleagues randomised 100 participants aged between 50 and 75 with a history of more than three months pain to receive either Instaflex or placebo three times per day for eight weeks.
Primary outcome measures were obtained pre- and post-study and included joint pain severity, stiffness, and function, while secondary outcome measures included health-related quality of life, systemic inflammation, and physical function.
The team reported that joint pain severity was significantly reduced in Instaflex compared to placebo, with group differences emerging by week 4 of the study.
"Improvements in ability to perform daily activities and stiffness scores in Instaflex compared to placebo were most evident for the 74% of subjects reporting knee pain," the team said.
Source: Nutrition Journal
Volume 12, Number 154, doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-154
"A commercialized dietary supplement alleviates joint pain in community adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled community trial"
Authors: David C Nieman, R Andrew Shanely, et al