Arth-Support Formula™
Supporting healthy joint function
DESCRIPTION
Arth-Support Formula™, provided by Douglas Laboratories, is a synergistic and comprehensive combination of natural ingredients, including glucosamine sulfate, shark cartilage, and bromelain, carefully formulated and specifically designed to support normal inflammatory processes while maintaining and restoring the structure and function of healthy joints.
FUNCTIONS
Studies show that a high percentage of adults in North America and other developed countries eat less than the minimum daily allowance of 10 or more essential nutrients. Adequate amounts and proper balance of these nutrients are needed not only for maintaining good health, but also for the dietary management of the body’s structure as well as the optimum functioning of its various systems, including its joints. Arth-Support Formula™ has been carefully developed to contain the right proportions of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and other nutrients without danger of toxic build-up or of side effects. Each ingredient is selected in consideration of its absorbability, competitive relationship with other nutrients, allergenic potential, and long-term safety. Certain nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and B-complex vitamins are included in high-potency amounts because of the vital roles they play in antioxidant protection, energy production and maintenance of healthy blood cells, nervous system, hormonal balance, and more. Minerals and trace elements are provided in their safest and most bioavailable forms.
The Arth-Support Formula™ contains not only the base formula of Douglas Laboratories’ Ultra-Specific Nutrition 2000 Series™ that offers intensive support for the healthy functioning of the body in general, but also a blend of herbs and additional nutrients specifically formulated for maintenance of healthy joint structure and function.
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring amino sugar found in glycosoaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides),
integral components of the proteoglycans found in joint cartilage. Proteoglycans are large carbohydrate rich structures that provide resiliency, load distribution, shock-absorbing, compressive and lubricating properties to joints and connective tissues. Dietary glucosamine serves as an immediate precursor for glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and also stimulates incorporation of other precursors into the connective tissue matrix.
The availability of glucosamine is an integral part of the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans that are necessary during the constant remodeling that aging cartilage undergoes. Thus, the maintenance of healthy aging cartilage may be improved with enhanced deposition of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. Bioavailability of oral glucosamine sulfate is excellent. It is absorbed intact, and utilized very quickly by all tissues, including connective tissues. Glucosamine sulfate is more efficiently used for connective tissue metabolism than other glucosamine sources, such as cartilage extracts or chondroitin sulfate. Glucosamine sulfate is a well recognized, highly effective source of glucosamine for glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan synthesis in all connective tissues, such as cartilage, ligaments, tendons, skin, and bone.
Bromelain, a protease from the pineapple plant, can reduce the production of proinflammatory prostaglandins by modulating the arachidonate cascade. Other herbs in Arth-Support Formula such as licorice, feverfew, devil’s claw, and turmeric, also provide support for normal inflammatory processes.
INDICATIONS
Arth-Support Formula™ may be a useful dietary supplement for those who wish to maintain healthy functioning of their joints.
FORMULA (#4547)
Four Tablets Contain:
500 mg Proprietary Blend of:
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa), Pancreatin 8X
(providing Protease, Amylase and Lipase activity), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Quercetin, Betaine HCl/Glutamic acid HCl, Shark Cartilage Powder, Glucosamine Sulfate, Pepsin, Bromelain (minimum 2,000 m.c.u.), SOD/Glutathione Peroxidase (Young Wheat Sprouts), Feverfew, Devil’s Claw, Proanthocyanidins (Red Wine Grapes), Ginseng (Panax), Skullcap, N-Acetyl-L Cysteine/L-Cysteine HCl, L-Methionine,
Beta-Carotene (Vitamin A Activity)....... 15,000.. I.U.
Vitamin A (Palmitate, Water Dispersible) 5,000.. I.U.
Vitamin D-3......................................................... 50.. I.U.
Vitamin E (Succinate)..................................... 200.. I.U.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).......................... 1,000.. mg
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine HCl)........................... 50.. mg
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin).................................. 25.. mg
Niacin................................................................... 20.. mg
Niacinamide...................................................... 100.. mg
Pantothenic Acid (as d-Calcium Pantothenate) 150 mg
Vitamin B-6......................................................... 25.. mg
(as Pyridoxine HCl/Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate Complex)
Vitamin B-12.................................................... 100.. mcg
Folic Acid........................................................... 800.. mcg
Biotin.................................................................. 300.. mcg
Choline(from Choline Citrate/Bitartrate)...... 20.. mg
Inositol................................................................. 25.. mg
Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex....................... 100.. mg
PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid)................... 50.. mg
Calcium (Citrate/Ascorbate Complex)........ 300.. mg
Magnesium....................................................... 300.. mg
(Aspartate/Ascorbate Complex)
Potassium (Aspartate Complex)..................... 75.. mg
Zinc (Aspartate Complex)................................ 50.. mg
Copper (Amino Acid Chelate)............................ 2.. mg
Manganese (Aspartate Complex)................... 15.. mg
Chromium GTF................................................ 200.. mcg
(Organically bound with GTF activity-low allergenicity)
Selenium............................................................ 300.. mcg
(Organic Selenium in Krebs† Cycle and Kelp)
Molybdenum (Krebs†)....................................... 50.. mcg
Vanadium (Krebs†)............................................ 25.. mcg
Boron (Aspartate/Citrate Complex)................. 1.. mg
Trace Elements (Sea Vegetation).................. 100.. mcg
†Krebs=Citrate, Fumarate, Malate, Glutarate and Succinate Complex
SUGGESTED USE
Adults take 4 tablets daily with meals or as directed by physician.
SIDE EFFECTS
No adverse effects have been reported
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.
References
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Gottlieb MS. Conservative management of spinal osteoarthritis with glucosamine sulfate and chiropractic treatment. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1997;20:400-14.
Kelly GS. The role of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfates in the treatment of degenerative joint disease. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:27-39.
Leffler CT, Philippi AF, Leffler SG, Mosure JC, Kim PD. Glucosamine, chondroitin, and manganese ascorbate for degenerative joint disease of the knee or low back: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Mil Med 1999;164:85-91.
Lotz-Winter H. On the pharmacology of bromelain: an update with special regard to animal studies on dose-dependent effects. Planta Med 1990;56:249-53.
McCarty MF. Enhanced synovial production of hyaluronic acid may explain rapid clinical response to high-dose glucosamine in osteoarthritis. Med Hypotheses 1998;50:507-10.
Qiu GX, Gao SN, Giacovelli G, Rovati L, Setnikar I. Efficacy and safety of glucosamine sulfate versus ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Arzneimittelforschung 1998;48:469-74.
Setnikar I, Cereda R, Pacini MA, Revel L. Antireactive properties of glucosamine sulfate. Arzneimittelforschung 1991;41:157-61.
Shankland WE, 2nd. The effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on osteoarthritis of the TMJ: a preliminary report of 50 patients. Cranio 1998;16:230-5.
Taussig SJ, Batkin S. Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol 1988;22:191-203