According to new research presented at the 2024 annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, found that daily supplementation with 100 mg of a Boswellia serrata extract was associated with improved measures of joint comfort, inflammation, functional mobility, and knee joint cartilage in adult men and women. These findings were published in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association in December.

Compared to placebo, the Boswellia extract, branded as Joint Shield 5-LOXIN Advanced, was associated with these significant improvements over placebo in a six-month clinical study, with significant responses first observed at 30 days.

The extract used in the clinical study is used in a supplement branded as Osteo Bi-Flex, and contains high concentrations of the boswellic acid AKBA which is associated with improvement in occasional joint flare-ups. In prior clinical studies, the herbal ingredient was associated with improvements in joint comfort within seven days, according to the company.

“The new study presented at The American Society for Nutrition adds to the positive research for the benefits of Boswellia serrata for joint health,” said Krysmaru Araujo Torres, MD, head of medical affairs at Nestlé Health Science, maker of Osteo Bi-Flex. “We are impressed to see that this study included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure joint space, cartilage thickness, and cartilage volume. The study showed that the participants supplemented with the novel Boswellia serrata extract experienced a benefit in promoting their cartilage health. In contrast, MRI measurements in participants provided the placebo did not result in any benefit. We’re looking forward to communicating these findings with consumers who are searching for a daily-use, non-drug option to help support their joint health.”

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics at Lakshmi Hospital in India among men and women between the ages of 40 and 75.