The Need to Support Joint Health
Joint issues affect a staggering 24% of adults, or 58.5 million people, in the United States. Considered a leading cause of disability, the annual cost of joint issues in medical care and lost earnings is more than $3 billion. Joint issues can be a painful, degenerative condition. And, despite popular perception, joint issues are not limited to the aged. More than half of US adults experiencing poor joint health are between the ages of 18-64. This points to a large market for supplements that support joint health. Enter boswellia from OmniActive. Our boswellia provides an efficacious dose of boswellic acids in either powdered or gradual form, giving you flexibility in your formulations.
What is Boswellia (Indian Frankincense)?
Boswellia serrata is a tree native to India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. It’s also known as Indian Frankincense. It has been used for its health benefits since ancient times and is a valued herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Boswellia was believed to help manage a variety of illnesses, including skin and blood issues. Modern science points to boswellia potentially having anti-inflammatory actions. Today, boswellia is often used to help support healthy joints. Here are some benefits of using boswellia to help support joint health:
- Boswellia may support a healthy response to inflammation. This may help people with joint issues or it may help keep maintain healthy joints
- Boswellia may help improve joint function with its potential anti-inflammatory effects
- Boswellia may help mitigate the effects of cartilage loss in those with joint issues. Cartilage is a rubbery padding that protects the bones in a joint from rubbing on each other. Cartilage is necessary for healthy joint function
How Does Boswellia Support Joint Health?
The active constituents of boswellia are called boswellic acids. The beneficial compounds in boswellia have been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory effects. For example, many studies have explored how boswellic acids may inhibit 5-Lipoxygenase enzyme activity and leukotrienes by limiting inflammatory mediatos and the release of matrixmetalloproteinases.
According to a study, boswellic acid and its derivatives may work to stop inflammation in two ways: by potentially decreasing the activity of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) and possibly inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase. Leukotriene formation and HLE release are found in a variety of inflammation-based diseases.
This potential dual action of the boswellic acids has excited scientists and researchers. The above study indicates that this double effect is unique to boswellic acids and has potential health applications. The possible anti-inflammatory action of boswellia was studied in rats and mice. A 25-46% inhibition of paw oedema (a build-up of fluid in the body which causes the affected tissue to become swollen) was observed after administering boswellic acids. Boswellia and its active components have been well studied, with more studies expected to come due to their promising results for those with joint issues.
Other Health Benefits of Boswellia
In addition to supporting joint health, boswellia may help support:
- Healthy lung function
Boswellia’s potential action of reducing leukotrienes may help support healthy breathing. Leukotrienes cause the bronchial muscles to contract. A study done in 1998 suggests that boswellia supplementation may improve breathing. Research about this application continues and includes investigating any immune-balancing properties of this promising herb. - Healthy gasterointestinal health
Boswellia supplementation might help support the gasterointestinal system. One study in 2001 experimented with a specialized extract of boswellia and mesalamine, a commonanti-inflammatory medication used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Researchers reported that boswellia showed efficacy in helping with IBD. Some research, like this study, aims to examine Boswellia’s effects on IBDs as well as other inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Formulate With Boswellia From OmniActive
Are you ready to stand out in a crowded marketplace? We support our formulation partners with our science, industry regulations, and marketing research expertise. OmniActive is more than a source of high-quality, scientifically backed ingredients; we are your formulation partners. Our boswellia:
- Contains 65% boswellic acid, the active component
- Sourced from gum/oleoresin from Boswellia serrata
- Shelf-stable for three years
- Available in powder and gradual forms for tablet and capsule applications
- Manufactured in an NSF-certified, GMP, and GFSI-BRC Food Safety-certified facility
- 100% natural, ethanol-extracted, Kosher, and Halal
Please reach out to us with any questions, to request a sample, or to start formulating your new product!