A new study published in the journal Nutrients finds that Valensa International’s patented joint health formula, FlexPro MD, may have a beneficial effect on joint deterioration through an animal study looking at osteoarthritis models.
 
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, currently has no known cure or pharmaceutical treatment known to actually slow its progression. While analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are known to alleviate symptoms, they don’t slow down the progression of the disease itself, and furthermore, chronic use of these drugs is associated with severe adverse side effects.
 
Rats were given monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in order to induce an osteoarthritic model. For seven days prior to the administration of MIA, the rats were given FlexProMD, a mixture of krill oil, Valensa’s branded natural astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid with a specific molecular weight, and were found to exhibit significantly lower frequencies of behavior indicative of joint pain. Surprisingly, it was also found that the formula decreased the joint destruction in rats that received FlexProMD, and serum levels of biomarkers indicating joint damage were significantly reduce.
 
“Using dosages that would correlate to humans, the study shows that that FlexPro MD significantly ameliorated joint pain and decreased the severity of articular cartilage destruction after 21 days in the animal model,” Valensa’s chief science officer, Margaret H. Dohnalek, PhD, said. “WE know that Zanthin natural astaxanthin is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which is important in pain management, and these data from the Korean team would suggest that Zanthin also plays an important role in joint health. Certainly, the published literature continues to strengthen our appreciation of the power of astaxanthin, and this study further emphasizes the role a naturally-sourced joint health solution like FlexPro MD can bring to healthy aging and mobility.”
 
The study was sponsored by Novarex Co., Ltd. In collaboration with researchers from the Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Ewha Woman’s University and the College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center at Chungbuk National University. The study used an animal osteoarthritis pain model to build upon a previous human clinical study that found FelxProMD to be three to five times more effective in relieving joint discomfort than a commercial formulation of glucosamine and chondroitin, two well-established ingredients used in dietary supplements for joint pain.
 
“Through this research study, Drs. Dong Ju Son, PhD, Jae Chul Jung, PhD, and fellow collaborators have added new insights to the science of FlexPro MD to support the South Korean authorities in their regulatory review of these ingredients, opening a door for this population to find relief through natural means,” Dohnalek continued.