Supplementing with a 2:1 blend of Tamarindus indica seeds and Curcuma longa rhizome marketed by NXT USA as TamaFlex resulted in significant improvements to several markers of joint function in a cohort of 150 men and women, with clinical significance achieved in five days.
 
The findings, published in Food & Nutrition Research, concluded that supplementation led to improved joint comfort, function, aerobic capacity, and lower body strength. The study is the third of its kind to conclude that TamaFlex may have a beneficial role in joint health, and most recently follows a trial which was published in January this year.
 
“This study is especially relevant for our TamaFlex ingredient,” said Eric Anderson, managing director at NXT USA. “Where our previous studies focused on identifying that joint relief was fast-acting and long-lasting, this third study provides concrete data supporting our novel approach to joint health and the impact it has on improving participants’ quality of life and physical capabilities. The study is large and comprehensive, with the physician assessment, physical tests and biomarkers providing subjective and objective evidence of efficacy. This is truly unique.”
 
In the 30-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the men and women, all between the ages of 40 and 70, supplemented with either a placebo, 250 mg of TamaFlex, or a 1,000 mg active comparator of Boswellia and Curcumin.
 
The primary endpoint was changes over time in total WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) scores. Secondary changes included WOMAC pain, stiffness, and physical function scores, 30-second chair test, six-minute walk test, stair climb test, VAS score, LFI score, primary knee flexion, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and urinary C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type II collagen.
 
“The study demonstrates the potential of TamaFlex in improving joint health by reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving physical function in subjects with mild to moderate knee OA. After 30 days of supplementation with 250 mg of TamaFlex, participants showed a significant reduction in pain, joint stiffness, and improvement in their physical function,” the authors wrote. “Further, significant reductions in ‘VAS pain’ scores following the 30-day supplementation of TamaFlex indicate the improvement in joint comfort. In line with ‘VAS pain’ scores and scores of WOMAC subscales, the total WOMAC score was significantly improved from day 5 itself. Improvements in LFI scores indicate the improvements in joint flexibility of the participants in the TamaFlex group.”
 
Tamaflex also improved aerobic capacity and knee endurance according to the six-minute walk test, and at 30 days, lower body strength, power, and physical function improved significantly compared to other groups, as measured by the stair climb test and chair stand test.
 
No adverse events were linked to supplementation, and normalized uCTX levels were significantly lower in the TamaFlex group while levels increased in placebo.
 
While the active comparator arm saw some benefits, onset took significantly longer and was not nearly as significant as TamaFlex at 250 mg, the authors noted.
 
“This study affirms the potent and fast benefits of TamaFlex supporting joint health,” Anderson commented. “What is also important is that in addition to physician assessment, this trial shows performance benefits with participants being able to walk farther, faster, and ascend and descend stairs with more alacrity. And the biomarkers show physiological changes are actually happening, which is purely objective.”