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25/02/2022

How to keep your bones & joints healthy

Life Extension, a woman in training outfit lifting weight with focus on the elbow joint, only torso is showing


Well-known nutrients for bone and joint health are calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin. This is an introduction to some “lesser-known” nutrients that can help keep your bones strong and your joints comfortable as you age.


Micronutrients and bone health

Scientific advancements have revealed that the etiology of osteoporosis – a weakening of the bones – stems not only from hormonal imbalances but also from micronutrient deficiencies, oxidative stress, elevated blood sugarinflammation, low physical activity, and components of the metabolic syndrome as well. (1-3)

The critical role that micronutrients play in bone health is often overlooked by mainstream medicine: 

  • For instance, an abundance of human clinical data reveals that vitamin K plays a major role in maintaining healthy bone density by facilitating the transport of calcium from the bloodstream into the bone. (4-8)
  • While most people are familiar with calcium deficiency in association with bone density loss, the insufficient intake of other nutrients including magnesium (9,10) and vitamin D3 (11,12) can also contribute to this process. 
  • In addition, research has established the beneficial effects of the trace mineral boron on the strength of bones. (13-16)

Advanced bone support formulas incorporate the latest scientific findings and knowledge about the interplay of bone-healthy nutrients.


Joints: Going beyond glucosamine

For several years now, the supplement industry has been educating people on how to ease joint discomfort and protect joint function. 

Glucosamin and chondritin

Two of the best-known nutrients are glucosamine and chondroitin which have been shown in clinical studies to support healthy joint structure and function. (17-19) Both can help with fluid balance within the joints, cartilage production, and joint repair. (20-25)

Glucosamine is a compound naturally found in cartilage that keeps it healthy. Chondroitin sulfate is also found in cartilage and is another important part of connective tissue. Moreover, chondroitin can also support a healthy inflammatory response.

A meta-analysis of three studies found that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin offered significant benefits in inhibiting discomfort. A separate study identified that, when taken separately, glucosamine helped inhibit joint stiffness, and chondroitin effectively relieved joint discomfort. (26)

Boswellia and collagen

Recently it has become possible to target further factors implicated in joint health such as inflammation. Did you know that the typical western diet consists of foods that can actually destroy joints? 

Foods like eggs, red meat, poultry, cheeses, and dairy products all contain the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid which the bodily enzyme 5-LOX converts into pro-inflammatory compounds that can affect the joints.

Boswellia extracts are known to inhibit this inflammatory enzyme. There is a new Boswellia extract on the market called AprèsFlex™ that has been shown to aborb 52% better into the bloodstream. This can translate into healthier joints for people who supplement with AprèsFlex™. (27-30)

Easing joint inflammation by inhibiting 5-LOX is a major first step toward protecting your joints. However, another problem people face is maintaining healthy levels of collagen, the main component of their joint cartilage.

Undenatured – or natural – type II collagen – is exactly what is needed for proper joint health and function. UC-II®, a patent-protected form of undenatured collagen is supported by clinical studies and has been shown to promote joint flexibility and mobility by helping the body maintain healthy levels of collagen and joint cartilage. (31,32)

We all agree that a key component of longevity is staying active. In order to do this, don’t neglect your bones and joints. Keep them healthy and you’ll increase your odds of staying healthy too. 


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