Way to cool inflamed joints
WHEN choosing a supplement for joint relief, do make sure you choose an authentic treatment from a reputable supplier, to ensure you get effective quantities of the active ingredient.
Inflamed joints — resulting from a range of conditions, including arthritis — can cause an unpleasant, hot sensation.
Published clinical studies from leading institutions show that boswellic acids, found in Indian frankincense
(Boswellia serrata), can have a cooling effect, giving hope to people who want to maintain joint health.
The latest research supports traditional uses for Indian frankincense.
The sap has been harvested for more than 5,000 years, for use in religious ceremonies and traditional medicine.
Frankincense consists of essential oils, polysaccharides and resin. The essential oils are responsible for the pleasant aroma, while the resin contains boswellic acids — the main pharmacologically active components.
These acids are responsible for the cooling, comforting effects that Indian frankincense has on the joints. However, boswellic acids are only effective if you can get enough into your system.
A report by Dr Allison McCutcheon for the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program analysed commercially available boswellia products, finding that 18 per cent had been adulterated. It concluded that some suppliers are intentionally adulterating their products to cut costs. Other suppliers are substituting
Boswellia serrata resin with less-researched alternatives.
For this reason, people who want to look after their joints should purchase only from a reputable supplier.
A firm based in the international research hub of Cambridge has created a
Boswellia serrata supplement to tackle the adulteration issue head on. A spokesman says: ‘Supplements can have a powerful impact on your system, so it’s important to ensure that the effect is a positive one.
‘Our aim is to show people that well-sourced, scientifically proven ingredients can make a real difference to quality of life. ‘Our supplement combines
Boswellia serrata extract with soy lecithin, which protects boswellic acids in the digestive tract so that more of these useful compounds can reach your bloodstream.
‘It is easy to absorb and maximises the effectiveness of the active ingredient.’