Aflexa Glucosamine – Joint Relief Is Only Three Weeks Away
Written: Aug 02 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Helps to ease joint pain and inflammation, contains no pain relievers.
Cons: Takes a few weeks for noticeable results and relief.
The Bottom Line: A great product if you can find it on sale or clearance, otherwise, stick with the straight glucosamine – you'll save money and get the same results.
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| Freak369's Full Review: Aflexa Glucosamine |
I'm slowly starting to feel the effects of years of weightlifting, mainly in my knees and lower back. In the past I used a home made treatment of DMSO [dimethyl sulfoxide] and over the counter pain relievers [BC Powder and naproxen] to curtail joint pain and general aches that are commonly associated with heavy lifting. The DMSO / naproxen compound might have been messy and had an odd smell to it, but it did work. It required mixing, getting it to a certain viscosity then applying it and allowing it to soak in. It was something that always gave me relief and was well worth the effort. When Aflexa came on the scene a few years ago it was something that was considered "new" even though glucosamine had been around for a long time.
People with arthritis, joint problems and general aches associated with aging raved about its healing powers however those who were already aware of what the supplement could do had to snicker. When it first hit the shelves it had a hefty price tag, about $17.00 for a medium sized bottle, even with coupons that were available you were still looking at a price of at least $13.00. As much as I hate to say it, you could get the same results from purchasing straight glucosamine from a health food store or sport supplement dealer. This does have an advantage or two over straight glucosamine – it's easy to swallow and contains just the right dosage for most people to use and benefit from it if taken regularly.
Aflexa Glucosamine
Marketed as the second coming of Christ for those with minor joint pains, this was a product that never really caught on with most people. I would have to say that the price was the biggest factor and was the true downfall of Aflexa Glucosamine. For those that weren't aware of glucosamine and what claims people had made about it, this product was viewed as a non-prescription way to take care of joint pains, aches and minor irritation. Being someone that has been into weight lifting, bodybuilding and aerobic training, I have had more than my share of body aches, pains and cramps as a result of exercise. What I didn’t plan on was having knees that creaked and cracked, lower back pain and degenerative joint issues from all these years of keeping my body healthy and active. In the past I’ve taken glucosamine as a stand alone product or with DMSO as a rub in / leave on cream and when I came across the bottles on clearance for about $3.00 I couldn’t pass up getting them – especially since I had $1.00 off coupons.
Aflexa Glucosamine is pushed to keep joint fluid at a healthy level but in all honesty you can get the same results from a non flavored gelatin or straight glucosamine supplement. The levels that are in each tablet are enough to provide you with relief from minor irritations but I can’t see this doing much for chronic arthritis or, in my case, degenerative joint troubles – it will help with the pain and possibly prevent further injury but it will not cure any permanent damage. I've seen this recommended for older pets as well, especially ones that are having trouble getting around. You should check with your veterinarian to see if this would be a good alternative to steroid shots as well as what the dosage amount which can greatly vary depending on breed and size.
Ingredients
Each tablet contains 300 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate and 200 milligrams of glucosamine hydrochloride. Other ingredients include cellulose, hydroxpypropyl methylcellulose, silicone dioxide, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide and polysorbate 80. These are mostly inert ingredients that are using to bind the supplements together, give them their unique color and prevent break down while on the shelf and during transit. If you are wondering what the difference between the glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate is – the long and short of it is that once it’s been ingested and processed by your body the end result is the same – it breaks down to the basic form of glucosamine. The glucosamine hydrochloride is usually used for arthritic pain and is often touted as being stronger and more effective for treating inflammation of the joints. The glucosamine sulfate is added for the sole purpose of supply additional sulfate to the body to help the glucosamine to be more effective in keeping the joint tissue that is in place healthy as well as aiding in regeneration of lost fluid. But, as I said, once it has been ingested and absorbed, both forms are utilized by the body in the same fashion.
Dosage Amount
It’s suggested that you take one tablet three times a day with some type of meal. Normally I take one when I get up, one around 3:00 p.m. and then another before bedtime. While there are no warnings about overdosing or taking too much of the product on the level, you shouldn't exceed the recommended daily allowance. The bottle is not safety sealed so you should keep this out of the reach of children. Be sure to check the safety seal on the box as well as the bottle before you start taking this and if either are not present or seem tampered with, please return them to the store you purchased them from for a refund or exchange.
Results
I am not going to lie here, it takes at least three weeks to start feeling any type of difference. This is one of the things that probably killed the product and prompted McNeil Pharmaceuticals to discontinue production of it. That doesn't mean that you can't still find it at stores everywhere, they've just taken it off the production line. The bottles that I have are stamped with an expiration date of November of 2003 but I know that they won't lose much of their potency as long as the bottles aren't opened. Considering I ended up paying $2.00 per bottle [clearance price plus $1.00 off coupon] if they do lose their potency or need to get tossed in the trash, it isn't a huge loss. If you aren't in a tremendous amount of pain and are looking to do some mild maintenance on your joints, this is a good pick if you can find it at a reduced price.
Things To Know
If you are allergic to any type of shellfish you should not take this product. While an allergic reaction may not happen, there is a chance that if you take this you could experience some type of reaction [swelling, shortness of breathe, hives, anxiousness etc] from it. If you are unsure about whether or not you can safely take this supplement, you should consult with your physician or primary health care provider before you start taking this.
The Bottom Line
If it seems that I am stuck in the middle about this product, it's because I am. On one hand it is a great product that could benefit a lot of people who aren’t supplement savvy and want one product to take instead of having to deal with liquids or powders to mix. On the other hand I have to admit that it is less expensive to make your own mix of the various types of glucosamine that are available. Since this is no longer produced you should check bottles that are still on the shelves for the expiration date and know that it will lose a little of its potency after the expiration date but it is still safe to take. Since I stocked up on these when they were tagged with the sale / clearance stickers and used coupons, I'll take what I have on hand until I run out. So far I've seen a little bit of relief from the knee and joint pain but nothing that I consider miraculous.
It remains to be seen if McNeil will revamp this product, give it a new name and put it back on the shelves. If they do they should consider a lower price and more information on the package. As it stands, the claims that they are making about the product haven't been evaluated or approved by the FDA. If you are having chronic joint problems you might want to ask your doctor if you can try a prescription medication for inflammation and joint discomfort.
As always, thanks for the read!
^V^ Freak ^V^
© 2003 Freak369
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Recommended:
Yes
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