Study finds calcium fructoborate lessens knee pain
The study, conducted by the ingredient supplier VDF Futureceuticals, was published in the open-access journal Clinical Interventions in Aging, looked at the effect of 110 mg of the ingredient over a two week period.
Study details
The double-blind, placebo-controlled study recruited 60 male and female subjects (the sex breakdown was not specified). The study participants were older than 35 but younger than 60, and had Body Mass Index ranges from 21 (low side of normal) to 30 (generally the boundary between overweight and obese). The participants had reported knee pain prior to the study, but were not taking pain relief medication or other supplements prior to the study.
Participants were evaluated the participants at the beginning of the study and again at 7 and 14 days using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). Estimated treatment differences for the MPQ score were -5.8 and -8.9 at Day 7 and 14, respectively. Estimated differences for the WOMAC score were -5.3 and -13.73 at Day 7 and 14, respectively, wiht negative values indicate greater reductions in reported discomfort.
Mechanism unknown
While the outcome of the study is promising, more research is needed to fully understand how the ingredient is exhibiting its effects. The authors said that calcium fructoborate seems to be affecting inflammatory pathways, but exactly which ones and how is not yet fully understood.
“The exact mechanism of action behind these observed and reported effects is not known at this time and requires further investigation. It has been previously reported that CFB may reduce blood levels of CRP (c-reactive protein). CRP, fibrinogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are well-documented markers of inflammation.Elevations in blood CRP levels have been reported in patients with symptoms of osteoarthritis, including pain.Consequently, reduction of CRP could be associated to some extent to improvement of knee conditions,” the authors said.
Science accumulating
"This new study extends our substantial body of peer-reviewed, published clinical work on the unique physiological benefits of FruiteX-B for joint health," said John M. Hunter, FutureCeuticals' Executive Vice President.
FruiteX-B is a a nature identical plant mineral complex produced by Illinois-based VDF Futureceuticals. The company has done a variety of previous studies on the ingredient. An earlier pilot study looked at the ingredient’s effect in 20 subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee, measuring WOMAC and MPQ scores as well as CRP levels and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels. Another study looked at a calcium fructoborate/resveratrol combination and its benefits for angina patients.
Source: Clinical Interventions in Aging
2014:9 895-899
“Short-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.”
Authors: Z Pietrzkowski, M Phelan, R Keller, et al
