AR-Encap

Thorne AR-Encap supplies the recommended daily dose of glucosamine sulfate in combination with other effective anti-inflammatory and joint-protecting nutrients and botanicals such as curcumin, MSM, and boswellia.

Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), also known as dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) and methyl sulfone, is an organic sulfur-containing compound that occurs naturally in a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and animals including humans. MSM possesses anti-inflammatory activity.

Curcumin, the principal polyphenol in the Indian spice turmeric, exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects. Mechanisms of action include inhibition of proinflammatory eicosanoid formation by its inhibitions of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase. Curcumin has the potential to positively impact autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis by regulating inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and associated signaling pathways, including NF-kappaB, in immune cells. Curcumin exhibits direct anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid and neutrophil function. This extract from turmeric has been found to be as effective as cortisone and phenylbutazone in acute inflammation, one-half as effective as these drugs for chronic inflammation, and more potent than ibuprofen as a stabilizer of lysosomal membranes.

Glucosamine can provide relief from pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. In trials where glucosamine sulfate has been compared to NSAIDS, long-term reductions in pain are greater in patients receiving glucosamine sulfate. In addition to symptom relief, glucosamine supplementation may actually retard progression of joint disease by rebuilding damaged cartilage.

In addition to glucosamine sulfate, MSM, and curcumin, AR-Encap contains the potent anti-inflammatory botanicals Boswellia and devil’s claw. Boswellia appears to specifically inhibit pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase activity. Extracts of devil’s claw have been found to exert significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in animal studies. In a double-blind study of patients with osteoarthritis, an herb/nutrient formula, whose main anti-inflammatory ingredients were Boswellia and curcumin, resulted in significant pain reduction in the active treatment group compared to placebo.