Research has suggested that inflammation could be the cause of all diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune disease and cancer. Inflammation is also the root cause of arthritis pain, which can damage joint surface and the underlying bone. The diseases start with inflammation at the cellular level, which brings about early cell death. FlexC MAX EX is a powerful anti-inflammatory supplement that effectively manage inflammation. This is a crucial in helping to reduce the risk of diseases, protect against further tissue deterioration and reduce joint discomfort.

Study 1:

Human leukocyte elastase (HLE) is known to trigger inflammation, tissue degradation and pain within the joints. Due to its aggressive and destructive properties, it has been suggested to contribute to the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. In this in vitro study, boswellic acid AKBA was found to significantly suppress HLE, thereby reducing joint inflammation and pain.

Study 2:

Proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the up-regulation of inflammatory responses. Numerous evidences have shown that certain proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are involved in the pathological pain. In this in vitro study, Boswellia serrata extract was found to significantly reduce and normalise the production of pro-inflammatory factors, i.e., nuclear transcription factor κB (NF- κB), TNF-α and IL-6 in cartilage cells.

Study 3:

NF-ĸB is the master regulator of inflammation and plays a role in a wide variety of pathological conditions. Activated NF-ĸB has been detected in human knee-joint synovial tissue during the early stage of joint inflammation. In this in vitro study, cells were pre-incubated with curcumin for 60 minutes followed by PMA or H₂O₂ for 30 minutes (which potentiate the activation of NF-ĸB) and then tested for NF-ĸB activation. Curcumin was found to completely block PMA and H₂O₂-induced activation of NF-ĸB, indicating curcumin is a general suppressor of NF-ĸB activation.

Study 4:

IL-6 and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) promotes inflammation and plays a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this in vitro study, anti-inflammatory activity of piperine was tested on interleukin 1β (IL1β)-stimulated synovial cells derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Piperine was shown to suppress the production of IL-6 and PGE₂ in a dose-dependent manner, thereby reducing inflammation.

A large proportion of the world population, especially middle-aged and seniors experience joint discomforts, such as pain, stiffness and swelling. The knees, neck, shoulders, back are all prone to injury, inflammation and pain which can restrict mobility and reduce range of motion. As the chronic pain affects physical movement, it also causes sleep disturbances, fatigue, trouble concentrating and mood changes. By reducing joint discomfort, FlexC MAX EX helps improve physical mobility and quality of life.

Study 1:

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. Osteoarthritis of the knee occurs when the cartilage that covers bones’ surfaces in the knee breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness and swelling.

In this clinical trial, 32 subjects aged 40 to 65 years with clinically diagnosed osteoarthritis of the knee, were orally administered formula containing 272 mg Boswellin^®, 250 mg Curcumin C3 Complex^® (curcuminoids) and 100 mg gingerol, twice a day for 56 days. They showed a significant reduction in WOMAC scores for pain (p < 0.0001), stiffness (p < 0.0001) and physical disability (p < 0.0001), as well as a significant reduction in the pain visual analogue score, improvement in 6-minute walk distance and hsCRP levels. HsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is produced when the blood vessel walls are inflamed. The higher the levels of hs-CRP, the higher the levels of inflammation. These findings suggest the beneficial of Boswellin^® and Curcumin C3 Complex^® (from which Curcumin C3 Reduct^® was derived) in relieving joint discomforts in osteoarthritis.

Study 2:

In this clinical trial, 49 subjects with knee osteoarthritis were orally administered with either 1.125g MSM or placebo 3 times daily for 12 weeks. Taking MSM for 12 weeks showed an improvement in pain, stiffness and physical function in the subjects.

Study 3:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a destructive joint disease that is caused by inflammation of the synovium, which is the tissue that lines the joints. The damage and pain can spread to other tissues around the joints, including cartilage, bones, tendons and ligaments, leading to deformity. Targeting inflammation can help prevent further deterioration and facilitate the joint tissue repair process which is crucial to break the chain of discomfort.

In this clinical trial, rheumatoid arthritis patients with knee pain were orally administered 100 mg Boswellin^® Super or placebo daily for 8 weeks. Compared to baseline (week 0), patients administered with Boswellin^® Super showed significant improvements in knee pain after 8 weeks, as evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Higher VAS, JKOM and WOMAC scores indicate greater pain, stiffness and physical disabilities. Compared to placebo group, patients in Boswellin^® Super group also showed lower serum hyaluronic acid levels. Hyaluronic acid is usually higher in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. These findings suggest the beneficial effect of Boswellin^® Super on patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Boswellin Super^® reduced knee pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Study 4:

Boswellia extract has been used for centuries for its anti-inflammatory effects. In this animal test, Boswellia serrata extract (50mg/kg) was administered to subjects for 21 days after the induction of arthritis (joint inflammation). Compared to control, Boswellia-treated group was found to be significantly decreased in edema (swelling) volume (p < 0.01). The study suggests that Boswellia serrata could be an effective adjuvant for arthritis management

Study 5:

Muscle soreness typically begins within a few hours and peaks one to two days after a vigorous exercise or intensive workout. This delayed muscle soreness may represent injuries or damage in the muscle and connective tissues. Joint aches after exercise could be a warning sign of early arthritis. Controlling inflammation is one of the key approaches to relieve joint and muscle soreness.

In a clinical trial, 22 healthy adults were randomised to take either OptiMSM^® or a placebo at 3g/day for 21 days before running a half marathon and two days after. Pain levels were recorded using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for both joint and muscle pain. Compared to placebo, OptiMSM^® supplementation for 3 weeks remarkably reduced post-exercise joint and muscle pain.

Cartilage, tendons and ligaments are connective tissues found in a joint. Cartilage is found at the end of the bone. It cushions the joints and helps it move smoothly. Ligaments attach bone to bone and gives joints stability. The tendons attach muscles to the bone. When any of these connective tissues is damaged, it can cause severe pain, inflammation and some degree of disability. Formulated with multi-potent ingredients, FlexC MAX EX helps repair, restore and maintain healthy connective tissues in the joint.

Study:

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who experienced joint pain showed higher levels of serum hyaluronic acid, suggesting an outflow from cartilaginous tissue. In this study, healthy adults with knee pain who consumed 100 mg/day of Boswellin^® Super for 8 weeks showed lower levels of serum hyaluronic acid than those in the placebo group. This suggests the potential use of Boswellin^® Super in protecting cartilage and alleviating pain in rheumatoid arthritis.

Synergistic interaction is observed when the final biological effects are greater than the sum of the effects of the individual active ingredients. Combining 3 herbal extracts and OptiMSM^® in a single formula, the synergistic effects of these multiple potent ingredients at functional dosage makes FlexC MAX EX one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory formula in the market.

a) Curcumin and Boswellia extract

Study 1:

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 201 patients with osteoarthritis were orally administered placebo, curcumin (Curcuma longa), or its combination with boswellic acid (Boswellia serrata) daily for 12 weeks and their conditions were evaluated at baseline and week 12. Both resulted in a reduction of pain-related symptoms, but a combination of curcumin and boswellic acid was more effective. This is likely due to the synergistic effects of curcumin and boswellic acid.

Synergistic effects of curcumin and boswellic acid in reducing pain-related symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA)

Study 2:

A combination of turmeric and boswellia extracts were also shown to be more effective in reducing pain than NSAID, a medicine widely used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

In this clinical trial, osteoarthritic patients (age 18 – 65 years) were orally administered a CB formulation consisted of 350mg Curcuma longa (turmeric) extract (containing 70% curcumin, 17% demethoxycurcumin, 3.5% bisdemethoxycurcumin and 7.5% turmeric essential oils) and 150mg Boswellia serrata extract (containing 75% boswellic acids and 10% AKBA) in 500mg hard gelatin capsule twice daily or NSAID 100mg capsule twice daily for 12 weeks. The turmeric + Boswellia formulation was found to outperform NSAID in symptom scoring and clinical examination.

b) Curcumin and BioPerine^®

Following oral administration, curcumin has been found to have very poor bioavailability with very low or even undetectable concentrations in blood. This could be due to its poor absorption, rapid metabolism, chemical instability and rapid elimination in the stools. However, several studies have shown that the presence of BioPerine^® (an extract from black pepper fruits Piper nigrum) helped increase the bioavailability of Curcumin.

Study 1:

In this test, curcumin concentration in blood serum was shown to increase significantly at 1- and 2-hours following administration of a combination of curcumin and BioPerine^®.

Study 2:

In this clinical trial, 10 healthy volunteers were first administered 2000 mg curcumin, followed by a 2-week break before a second administration of 2000 mg of curcumin and BioPerine^® (20 mg) combination. BioPerine® was shown to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin with curcumin serum concentration increased by 20-fold or 2000% compared to curcumin alone. BioPerine® suppressed metabolism and elimination in intestine and liver and thus, increasing the bioavailability of curcumin.

Although inflammation is an imperative part of the immune’s response to injury and infection, if the inflammatory process takes place in places where it is not required, it can become detrimental. Chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s, cancer and many others. Chronic inflammation usually does not have any obvious symptoms and it is known as a “silent killer”. To keep inflammation under control, taking a powerful anti-inflammatory formula, such as FlexC MAX EX is indispensable for optimal health and well-being.

a) Support healthy blood glucose

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) helps stimulate pancreatic β-cells. It plays a vital role in the production and secretion of insulin hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. Research has shown that oral administration of THC (80 mg/kg body weight) to diabetic rats for 45 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose and a significant increase in the insulin hormone that regulates blood glucose levels, suggesting the beneficial effects of THC in managing diabetes.

b) Support healthy blood lipids

High blood lipid or hyperlipidemia is an associated complication of diabetes. In this study, oral administration of THC (80 mg/kg body weight) to diabetic rats for 45 days resulted in a significant reduction of serum and liver cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids, HMG-CoA reductase activity, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, as well as an increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Compared to same dose of curcumin, THC was shown to have greater efficacy in improving blood lipid profile.

c) Support anti-aging by anti-glycation

Glycation is a chemical process in which sugar, such as glucose is attached to human proteins or lipids, leading to the formation of high reactive Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) (proteins or lipids that become glycated). AGEs are harmful compounds which contribute to aging or worsening of many diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, kidney disease or Alzheimer’s disease and others.

In this study, THC reduced the extent of glycation and AGEs formation measured in tail tendon of diabetic rats, suggesting its potential as an anti-glycation compound.

d) Protect liver health

Chronic liver inflammation leads to liver cirrhosis, which is the irreversible scarring of the liver and loss of liver cells caused by liver disease. In this study, oral administration of THC was found to significantly hinder the occurrence of liver damage as observed from reduction of levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin. These findings suggest that THC could effectively protect against liver damage. Besides, THC provides better protection when compared to the reference drug Silymarin, which has been used for centuries to treat liver conditions.

e) Support healthy and radiant skin

MSM is an organic sulfur that has long been associated with skin health. It is involved in skin physiological processes, including the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid. The anti-inflammatory properties of MSM reduces damage caused by (due to) inflammatory cascades, which could lead to skin cell deterioration and signs of premature aging, such as wrinkles. In this clinical trial, 63 female participants aged 35 to 59 years old were orally administered 1000mg OptiMSM® every morning with or without food for 16 weeks. Data was collected before treatment (baseline) and every 4 weeks during the course of the study. Compared to baseline, oral administration of OptiMSM® resulted in significant improvement of facial wrinkles, skin texture, firmness, elasticity and hydration. These findings suggest that OptiMSM® could potentially protect against premature skin aging.