Reduce Joint Pain & Improve Mobility

Joint pain affects many adults, even those without arthritis, making daily activities like walking or bending difficult to perform.^1-4

This reduces quality of life.

Most people suffering from chronic joint pain turn to over-the-counter pain medications for relief. These drugs can have dangerous side effects, including an increased risk of heart problems.^5,6

Two plant extracts, tamarind and turmeric, have been shown to safely and effectively reduce joint pain and increase joint range of motion.

In a clinical trial of adults with non-arthritic knee joint pain following exercise, 400 mg of a blend of these extracts helped sufferers walk an impressive 137 feet farther in six minutes than those taking a placebo.⁷

Those taking 400 mg of the extracts also had greater flexibility, were able to climb stairs faster, and reported a stunning 42.8% decrease in scores on a joint-pain scale.⁷

What Drives Joint Pain?

Joint pain frequently stems from overuse or aging of the joints, which can lead to deteriorating cartilage, limited mobility, and inflammatory changes.^8-13

Over time, this results in decreased range of motion, lower quality of life, and reduced muscle strength near the joints.^14,15

For many suffering from joint pain, conventional pain medication is the only relief available. However, chronic use of these medications can have lasting effects, including heart damage and kidney failure.^5,6,16

Researchers searching for safer alternatives found that two plants, tamarind and turmeric, contain compounds that block inflammation, leading to less joint pain and increased mobility.⁷

Turmeric’s Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Turmeric has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.^17,18

Many of its health benefits come from use of turmeric’s rhizome (underground stem), which is an abundant source of polyphenols called curcuminoids.⁷

The best-known curcuminoid is curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects.^19,20

In animal and human studies, curcumin has demonstrated a number of benefits, including improvements in cardiovascular health, protection against neuro-degenerative diseases, anti-cancer activity, arthritis relief, and more.^21-27

Tamarind Targets Pain

Tamarind is a plant that produces a fruit used in cooking around the world.

It has anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to alleviate pain in the joints, and it has long been used in traditional medicine to treat pain and inflammation.^28,29

Tamarind is rich in another group of polyphenols called procyanidins, which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.^30,31

To test their impact on joint-pain relief, scientists combined these two anti-inflammatory powerhouses.⁷

Testing in Humans

A team of researchers from the U.S., Netherlands, and India conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial to test a blend of extracts of tamarind seeds and turmeric rhizome.⁷

Ninety non-arthritic men and women who experienced knee joint pain and discomfort after physical activity were divided into three groups.

One received a placebo, one received 250 mg daily of the extract blend (in two 125 mg doses), and one received 400 mg daily (in two 200 mg doses).

The study followed participants for 90 days and measured their progress in a few different ways:

• Six-Minute Walk Test: The distance a participant could walk in six minutes.
• Stair-Climb Test: The time it took a participant to walk up and down nine steps.
• Visual Analog Scale: A measurement of pain as described by each participant.
• WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) Scale: A 24-question assessment of pain, stiffness, and physical limitations.
• Range-of-Motion Knee Flexion: The degree at which participants were able to bend their knee.

Improved Walking Speed and Distance

In any clinical trial, the primary endpoint is the measurement that is assessed to determine if the treatment works.

In this study, the primary endpoint was the Six-Minute Walk Test.

After 90 days, on average:

• Those in the placebo group were able to walk 18 feet farther than they could at the start of the study.
• Those taking 250 mg of the extract blend daily could walk 96 feet farther than at the start of the study.
• Those taking 400 mg of the extracts could walk a whopping 137 feet farther than when the study began.

The walking speed, on average, of those taking the extracts also improved over 90 days:

• Those taking a placebo walked just 0.04 mph faster,
• The 250 mg group walked 0.18 mph faster, and
• The 400 mg group increased their walking speed by 0.24 mph (from 2.51 mph to 2.75 mph).

Decreased Pain and Stiffness

The secondary endpoints in a clinical trial are other measurements of the treatment’s effectiveness.

In this study, the secondary endpoints were the Stair-Climb Test, the Visual Analog Scale, the WOMAC Test, and the Knee Flexion.

Both doses of the turmeric-tamarind combination improved all of these measures, with the 400 mg dosage showing the most significant results.

After 90 days, those taking 400 mg could walk up and down nine steps 2.4 seconds faster on average, compared to a 0.3-second improvement in the placebo group.

This shows a marked improvement in overall mobility and an increase in the joints’ functionality.

In the subjective Visual Analog scale, those taking 400 mg reported that their pain rating was decreased by 46%, compared to just 10% in the placebo group.

Results of the WOMAC scale were nearly as impressive, with the 400 mg group reporting a 38% reduction in pain, stiffness, and physical limitations, compared to 7% in the placebo group.

Increased Flexibility

A range-of-motion knee flexion test measures the angle in degrees that the knee can be bent away from a straightened position.

After 90 days, those taking the placebo had their knee flexibility increased by an average 0.82% improvement, compared to a 4.34% improvement in knee flexion from baseline in the turmeric-tamarind group. This represented an improvement in knee flexibility more than five times that of the placebo group.

The secondary endpoints confirm the results seen in the walk test: This extract blend decreases joint pain and stiffness while improving joint function and range of motion.

Summary

Many aging adults experience joint pain, which leads to impaired mobility and reduced quality of life.

Researchers have found that extracts of tamarind and turmeric can improve range of motion and flexibility, and reduce discomfort while also addressing inflammation, without the potentially dangerous side effects of conventional pain medications.

In a study of 90 men and women with non-arthritic knee joint pain following exercise, a combination of these extracts led to improved walking speed and distance, enhanced range of motion, and decreased pain and stiffness after just three months.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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