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Inflaguard - at the forefront of treatment of Inflammatory Conditions

Infla-guard tablets   

manufacturedby Douglas Laboratories®, contain a synergistic combination of three standardized botanical extracts: Boswellia serrata, turmeric root, and Devil’s Claw. Infla-guard tablets are coated with an acid-resistant enteric coating to protect the integrity of the Devil’s Claw extract which may lose effectiveness when exposed to hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Infla-guard is a blend of three standardized botanical extracts which work together to help support the body’s natural inflammatory responses. The combined actions of these extracts helps support and protect the body’s connective tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Boswellia serrata extract: Purified oleoresin from the Boswellia serrata tree, native to India, contains boswellic acids, which have been shown to be responsible for the tissue-protective actions of this extract.

Boswellic acids appear to act by inhibiting of leukotrienes, a class of mediators of the body’s inflammatory response. Boswellic acids are reported to increase blood supply to joint tissues, thereby preventing decline of cartilage synthesis. The extract from Boswellia serrata resin, standardized to contain a minimum of 65% boswellin, is an integral component of Infla-guard tablets.

Turmeric root extract: Curcumin is the yellow pigment contained in turmeric (Curcuma longa), a popular culinary spice from India. In addition to imparting a characteristic color and flavor to foods, curcumin has potent antioxidant properties and beneficial action on tissue health. Like boswellic acids, curcumin inhibits mediators of the inflammatory response, including thromboxanes and leukotrienes. As an antioxidant, curcumin protects against oxidative damage.

Additionally, there is evidence that curcumin may strengthen the body’s natural antiinflammatory responses.

Devil’s Claw extract: The tubers of this South African plant are rich in iridoid glycosides, in particular harpagosides. The harpagosides benefit connective tissue metabolism by supporting natural immune response to inflammation.

Although each herb may have some action on its own, Ayurvedic medicine traditionally combines herbs for greater effect. A 1991 study conducted in India looked at another combination formula - of Boswellia, ashwagandha, turmeric and zinc. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 42 patients with OA, those receiving the test formula showed a significant drop in pain and disability. Moreover, the combination appeared to only affect the symptoms: X-rays didn't show any changes in the joints of the test group. Again, there were no significant side effects.

While researchers report that the herbs require up to a month to take effect, they say they retain their therapeutic punch over several years without a need to increase the dosage.

While these herbs are often used in combination, each has its own history of study and/or therapeutic use.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) may be among the best-studied of the four. Research suggests ginger root inhibits production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are involved in pain and inflammation. In an uncontrolled 1992 Danish study, 56 patients who had either RA, OA or muscular discomfort took powdered ginger. All of those with musculoskeletal pain and three-fourths of those with OA or RA reported varying degrees of pain relief and no side effects, even among those who took the ginger for more than two years.

Turmeric (Curcumin longa) is used lavishly for color and flavor in Indian cuisine. Studies show it inhibits prostaglandin production and stimulates the creation of cortisol, which relieves inflammation. It seems to act like capsaicin, an active ingredient in cayenne pepper, by depleting nerve endings of the neurotransmitter substance P. When turmeric was taken internally along with cayenne pepper in an animal study, it significantly lowered inflammation. Capsaicin is usually used in ointments that are applied externally to aching joints. One researcher suggests turmeric might also work applied externally, but there are no studies to show this.

Frankincense, also known as boswellia (Boswellia serrata), comes from a tree that yields gum when its bark is peeled away. In animal and test tube studies, it inhibited the production of leukotrienes, which cause inflammation.

Ashwagandha (Withania somniferum) is an Asian plant of the potato family. Its roots have long been used to treat "rheumatism," high blood pressure, immune dysfunctions, erection problems and also to ease inflammation. Because of all this, it's sometimes called the "Indi

Research reported at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual scientific meeting last fall looked at a combination remedy incorporating these four plant extracts. In a randomized, double-blinded trial of 90 people with osteoarthritis (OA), those patients who took the combination experienced significant and sustained pain relief: Fifty percent improved, compared to 20 percent of those who took placebo.

An earlier double-blinded study of the same formula, presented at the ACR meeting two years prior, looked at 182 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Again, those who took the herbs experienced a reduction in the number and severity of swollen joints and noted a statistically significant improvement in pain, stiffness and function compared to those taking placebo. Tests also showed disease-modifying activity such as a drop in the amount of both rheumatoid factor and interleukins, the biological markers that show RA disease activity.

Enjoy browsing Longevity Boutique for Inflaguard and other synergistic herbal compounds which will help alleviate the symptoms of many arthritis aches and pains in the privacy of your home.