Frequently Asked QuestionsHow is Cortaflex different from other Chondroitin and Glucosamine products on the market?
Cortaflex is beyond Glucosamine and Chondroitin ! Molecules of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, even in their purest form, are simply too large to travel efficiently to the soft tissues of the joint.
View the Chondroitin and Glucosamine problem - and the Cortaflex solution
Instead of loading Cortaflex with thousands of milligrams of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, it has been specially formulated using their key isolates:
Glutamine - Glutamic Acid - Glucuronic Acid - Glycine - Proline
The unique formulation of Cortaflex allows these building blocks, assisted by MSM, to be more readily absorbed by the body. Only pharmaceutical grade ingredients are used in Cortaflex, so you are assured of getting a safe, natural, quality product.
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How does Cortaflex work?
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are produced naturally by the body. These two substances provide the building blocks for cartilage and cushioning joint fluid.
Cortaflex, a nutritional dietary supplement, relies on the bloodstream to deliver key nutrients throughout the body; it is formulated with the key isolates of Chondroitin and Glucosamine:
Glutamine - Glutamic Acid - Glucuronic Acid - Glycine - Proline
The key isolates used in Cortaflex stimulate the body to produce its own Glucosamine and Chondroitin !
These smaller molecules travel efficiently from the bloodstream to the soft tissues of the joint. The larger molecules of Chondroitin and Glucosamine, are not processed as effectively by the body, as their movement from the bloodstream is restricted.
View the Chondroitin and Glucosamine problem - and the Cortaflex solution
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How was Cortaflex formulated?
Background and History of CortaFlex
CortaFlex was invented, formulated and produced by a fascinating American called Bruce Snipes. Bruce, who is a nutritionist, founded a company 28 years ago called Horse Health Products. His leading brand at the time was a product called Red Cell (now the property of Farnham Companies Inc.) which is known, used and respected in the international equestrian world.
Bruce first formulated a liquid product for horses and dogs containing Chondroitin Sulphate and a complex array of highly efficient Glucosamine-like Amino Saccharides. The reports back from satisfied customers were staggering. Bruce himself suffers terribly from arthritis in his hands and thought "why am I taking powerful anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers that are certainly not doing my stomach any good?" The result was that he formulated a special version of the Chondroitin Sulphate product for himself. Then he got a company in North Carolina that specialises in manufacturing nutritional supplements for humans to make the formula for him.
The resulting product is CortaFlex and Bruce can now ‘make a fist’, which he certainly couldn’t manage before, his knuckles have returned to a more normal size, and he is back to playing golf again.
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How would Cortaflex help in the treatment of arthritis, joint mobility and injury repair?
Arthritis, Joint Mobility and Injury Repair Treatment
The aims of any treatment regime in patients suffering from arthritis or lack of mobility in joints are to relieve the symptoms of pain and discomfort, prevent further degradation and restore as much joint function as possible.
Mainstream medicine tends to treat arthritis patients with cortisteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). These drugs can be of benefit in the short term; but may produce serious side effects such as gastric ulceration along with liver and kidney damage. More seriously, long term use may result in complete joint immobilisation as these drugs fail to treat the underlying cause of most forms of arthritis. These drugs exacerbate catabolic cartilage breakdown and prevent the expression of natural anabolic repair.
In practice, patients may have to be switched from one conventional arthritis drug to another in an attempt to alleviate pain and inflammation or to avoid adverse side effects that a particular drug may have caused.
The current focus of much medical interest are substances capable of slowing the process of cartilage degradation and promotion of cartilage matrix synthesis. These compounds have been termed "chondoprotective agents" (chondro – a prefix that denotes a relationship to cartilage) and provide the following attributes:
stimulate chondrocyte synthesis of collagen* and proteoglycans
stimulate production of hyaluronic acid (hyaline cartilage is firm and elastic and found covering the ends of long bones)
inhibit cartilage degradative enzymes
Sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) such as Chondroitin Sulphate are found in the matrix of cartilage and have shown to achieve some of the above objectives. No single macromolecule appears capable of accomplishing all the stated objectives. However, a recent approach combining compounds with complimentary effect may provide a more effective therapy, products containing multiple monosaccharides, including chondroitin sulphate, as orally bioavailable food supplement. CortaFlex contains super oxide dismutase in addition to monosaccharide precursors of proteoglycans (PG) and hyaluronic acid, which are found in synovial fluid, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. These soluble precursors have high absorption from the gut. These sugars stimulate GAG and hyaluronic acid production and have been shown to improve the clinical signs of degenerate joint disorder (DJD) in humans. Chondroitin sulphate (CS) is the predominant monosaccharide precursors of GAGs found in articular cartilage. CS stimulates GAG synthesis whilst also being a competitive inhibitor of PG degradative enzymes. One of the most potent group of degradative mediators in DJD are thought to be oxygen derived free radicals. Superoxide dismutase is a potent anti-inflammatory agent capable of neutralising these oxygen metabolites. There is strong evidence that oral chondoprotective agents containing chondroitin sulphate are extremely valuable in the medical management of arthritis, joint mobility problems and may also be of benefit in the repair phase of injuries to musculoskeletal soft tissues such as tendon or ligament.
European doctors have been using non-toxic, natural therapies (such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulphates) to treat arthritis with great success for many years. These natural therapies work because they treat the underlying degenerative process affecting the linings of the joints and/or improve the autoimmune disorder that is destroying the joint linings.
*collagen – protein that is the main constituent of connective tissue. Collagen is present in skin, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Bones are made up of collagen, with the mineral calcium phosphate providing increased rigidity.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Chondroitin Sulphate and Amino Saccharides together stimulate cartilage cells to maintain healthy joints and cartilage; it also helps muscles by lubricating the muscle sheaths. Superoxide dismutase is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. The unique CortaFlex formula simply boosts the body’s natural production of the essential ingredients (collagens and hyaluronic acid) for healthy cartilage and strong joint structure. These powerful ingredients function as a natural lubricant for cartilage connecting tissue by helping to produce collagen, the primary "glue" that keeps connecting tissue and bone together.
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How long does cortaflex need to be taken?
Cortaflex is a nutritional dietary supplement - not a medicine. As such, Cortaflex can be taken indefinitely ! We believe taking Cortaflex on a regular basis can help to protect joints from the stress and strain of modern daily life.
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I don't actually have any pain or trouble with my joints; is it helpful for me to take Cortaflex anyway?
Cortaflex is safe for people of all ages and physical conditions ! It is a supplement for natural joint health - not a medicine. If you are eager to maintain an active lifestyle, doing the things you love to do for as long as possible, then Cortaflex is for you.
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Do I need to take Cortaflex at a specific time of the day, or with food?
Many people take Cortaflex at the same time every day, simply because it is easier to remember to take it ! It is not necessary to take it at a specific time of day, nor is it necessary to take Cortaflex with food.
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I am on other medication, can I still take Cortaflex?
Cortaflex is not a medicine - it is an all-natural dietary supplement. There are no known side effects of Cortaflex, and there are no known contra-indications. We always advise you to consult your doctor if you have any concerns about prescribed medication.
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What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a long string, gel-like disaccharide responsible for the viscoelastic behaviour of synovial fluid.
Traditionally HA has been derived from type II collagen taken from Rooster comb, which has a very high molecular weight of up to more than six million Daltons. This form of HA has been shown to be effective when injected, but it is not considered to be able to achieve a good rate of absorption when given orally.
For this reason the HA used in Canine & Feline Cortaflex is of vegetable origin and has a molecular weight of less than fifty thousand Daltons, allowing efficient absorption when given orally, providing an extra boost to the joint fluid.
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Is there any scientific evidence concerning Glucosamine and Chondroitin?Scientific evidence for glucosamine
Glucosamine and Arthritis
Evidence there is that glucosamine is an effective treatment for arthritis from the
University of Oxford Clinical School Infomation Management Services Unit
Conclusion/summary
"The bottom line is that there is a body of evidence supporting the
efficacy of oral and intramuscular glucosamine in arthritis."
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A search of PubMed at the National Library of Medicine reveals hundereds of scientific trials... here is a random selection..
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Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates in the treatment of osteoarthritis: a survey
de los Reyes GC, Koda RT, Lien EJ.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
For more than 30 years, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used as standards in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). Serious and often life-threatening adverse effects due to these agents are common. Clinical findings have revealed that glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are effective and safer alternatives to alleviate symptoms of OA. Experimental evidence indicates that these compounds and their low molecular weight derivatives have a particular tropism for cartilage where they serve as substrates in the biosynthesis of component building blocks. This paper is a literature review of the chemistry, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and safety of these two nutraceuticals.
Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial
PMID: 11127967 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Effect of glucosamine on interleukin-1-conditioned articular cartilage
Fenton JI, Chlebek-Brown KA, Caron JP, Orth MW.
Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
Glucosamine inhibits recombinant human interleukin-1 stimulated cartilage degradation in equine cartilage explants. Recently, recombinant equine interleukin-1 has been cloned and purified. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterise the effects of glucosamine on indices of cartilage degradation in recombinant equine IL-1beta-stimulated equine articular cartilage explants. Cartilage discs were harvested from the weight-bearing region of the articular surface of the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joints of horses (age 2-8 years) and cultured under standard conditions. Explants were exposed to recombinant equine interleukin-1beta (reIL-1beta) on Days 1-4 in the presence or absence of glucosamine (0.25, 2.5 or 25 mg/ml), with appropriate controls. Nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, sulphated proteoglycan, stromelysin and gelatinase/collagenase activity released into conditioned media and total tissue proteoglycan content were measured as indicators of cartilage catabolism. Glucosamine inhibited cartilage catabolic responses in a dose dependent manner that was statistically significant at a dose of 0.25 mg/ml for stromelysin activity and 2.5 mg/ml for collagenase/gelatinase activity. At 25 mg/ml glucosamine also prevented IL-1beta-induced increases in nitric oxide production, prostaglandin E2 and proteoglycan release to media. Glucosamine prevents equine articular cartilage degradation experimentally induced by reIL-1beta in vitro. These data provide further support for the use of glucosamine in treatment or prevention of cartilage loss in athletic horses.
PMID: 12405690 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Glucosamine sulfate use and delay of progression of knee osteoarthritis: a 3-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
Pavelka K, Gatterova J, Olejarova M, Machacek S, Giacovelli G, Rovati LC.
Department of Medicine and Rheumatology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. pavelka@revma.cz
Over a three year period... 200 patients, 100 were given a supplement containing glucosamine the other 100 were given a placeboand the results monitored. Conclusion: Long-term treatment with glucosamine sulfate retarded the progression of knee osteoarthritis, possibly determining disease modification.
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Glucosamine. A nutraceutical in osteoarthritis
Phoon S, Manolios N.
Westmead Hospital, New South Wales.
BACKGROUND: Glucosamine is an amine-sugar that has been marketed as a natural product for the treatment of osteoarthritis. It has been popularized in the complementary section of pharmacies as a safe over-the-counter treatment for osteoarthritic pain. OBJECTIVE: We review the literature on the efficacy and safety of glucosamine in osteoarthritis. DISCUSSION: Recent research suggests that it may not only provide symptomatic pain relief, but may have a role in chondroprotection.
Publication Types:
Review
Review Literature
PMID: 12154601 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Glucosamine therapy compared to ibuprofen for joint pain
Ruane R, Griffiths P.
Primary Care and Community Pharmacy, King's College London.
To determine the effectiveness of oral glucosamine with ibuprofen for the relief of joint pain in osteoarthritis a mini-review (Griffiths, 2002) of double-blind randomized controlled trials comparing the two was undertaken. The population was adult patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis at any site. The outcome was arthritic pain reduction. Searches on Medline, Embase, AMED, the Cochrane Library and the Merck index identified four trials. Of these, two studies were obtainable and were included in the review. Both compared 1.2 g ibuprofen daily with 1.5 g glucosamine sulphate daily, in three divided doses. The combined number of participants in the studies was 218. The results of these studies showed glucosamine to be of similar efficacy to ibuprofen. The conclusion is that glucosamine is effective in relieving joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine's pain-relieving effects may be due to its cartilage-rebuilding properties; these disease-modifying effects are not seen with simple analgesics and are of particular benefit. In practice glucosamine can be used as an alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics or as a useful adjunct to standard analgesic therapy.
Publication Types:
Review
Review Literature
PMID: 11904551 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis of the knee
Noack W, Fischer M, Forster KK, Rovati LC, Setnikar I.
Department of Orthopedics-Evangelisches Waldkrankenhaus, Berlin, Germany.
Glucosamine sulfate is a drug used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), based on its pharmacological and metabolic activities on the cartilage and chondrocytes, complemented by mild anti-inflammatory properties and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. The aim of this study was to define the activity and safety of glucosamine sulfate on the symptoms of patients with OA, using a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study design. The study included 252 outpatients with OA of the knee (Lequesne's criteria), radiological stage between I and III, and Lequesne's severity index of at least 4 points and symptoms for at least 6 months. Patients were treated with either placebo or oral glucosamine sulfate 500 mg t.i.d. for 4 weeks, with weekly, with weekly clinic visits. Responders to treatment were defined as patients with a reduction of at least 3 points in the Lequesne's index with a positive overall assessment by the investigator. The Lequesne's index was 10.6 +/- 0.45 S.E.M. points in both groups at the start of the study. This decreased to 7.45 +/- 0.5 points in the treatment group (average 3.2) and 8.4 +/- 0.4 points in the placebo group (average 2.2) (P < 0.05, Student's t-test). The responder rate in the evaluable patients was 55% with glucosamine (N = 120) vs 38% with placebo (N = 121). These proportions were 52% vs 37% in an intention-to-treat analysis (P = 0.014 and 0.016, respectively; Fisher's Exact Test). The medications were well tolerated throughout the study, with no difference between the glucosamine and placebo treated groups. It is concluded that glucosamine sulfate may be a safe and effective symptomatic Slow Acting Drug for OA.
Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Multicenter Study
Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 11548224 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Glucosamine sulfate
Thorne Research
Glucosamine sulfate's role in halting or reversing joint degeneration appears to be directly due to its ability to act as an essential substrate for, and to stimulate the biosynthesis of, the glycosaminoglycans and the hyaluronic acid backbone needed for the formation of the proteoglycans found in the structural matrix of joints. Successful treatment of osteoarthritis must effectively control pain and should slow down or reverse the progression of the degeneration. Biochemical and pharmacological data combined with animal and human studies demonstrate that glucosamine sulfate is capable of satisfying both of these criteria.
PMID: 10383484 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Cortaflex in the Treatment of Degenerative Joint Diseases in Horses
By David Platt BVSc., PhD., DEO., FRCVS
RCVS Specialist in Equine Orthopaedics
Conclusion
There is strong evidence that oral administration of chondroprotective agents containing CS GlAm - such as Cortaflex - can be extremely beneficial in the medical management of cases of equine DJD and may also be of benefit during the repair phase of musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries such as tendon or ligament strains.
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