New Chapter, the manufacturers of Zyflamend, produce a range of health supplements that are all presented on their attractive and informative website. The New Chapter company obviously prides themselves on the fact that they are ecologically-friendly and use sustainable, organic ingredients. The site provides a number of different sections that show the company’s mission statement, their commitment to the environment, general health and wellness articles and the research behind their products. Certainly New Chapter appears to have a good reputation in the industry and its products are recommended by several health care professionals.

Zyflamend is widely available and the New Chapter website provides links to retailers that carry the product. While the price of Zyflamend varies from store to store, it seems to average at approximately $35.00 for a 120 capsule bottle which, if taken at the recommended 2 capsules per day would last two months.

Zyflamend – Facts

Zyflamend is a product that is primarily to be used to treat joint pain and inflammation. It is a patented blend of 10 natural herbal extracts that are all included in what the company calls ‘supercritical’ states i.e. they are the purest and most potent concentrations available.

The Zyflamend blend consists of Holy Basil, Turmeric, Ginger, Green Tea, Rosemary, Hu Zhong, Chinese Goldthread and Barberry, Oregano and Baikal Skullcap. The ingredients are accompanied by brief, but rather technical explanations of how they work, and the individual ingredient amounts are shown. Zyflamend is a Cox-2 inhibitor, Cox-2 being the enzyme responsible for causing inflammation in the body. By promoting a healthy inflammation response the user experiences less swelling and soreness, allowing them pain-free movement.

In addition to providing joint support and inflammation reduction, Zyflamend can also benefit the cardiovascular system and recent studies at Columbia University have shown that it may help prevent certain types of cancer by reducing the growth of diseased cells.

Zyflamend is available in a number of different formulas: the original soft gel capsules, liquid, vege-caps and the smaller sized easy-caps.

Zyflamend – Positive Features

• New Chapter is an ecologically-friendly company
• All the ingredients in Zyflamend are natural and organic
• The full ingredient list is provided
• Zyflamend is a patented formula
• The product has undergone extensive clinical testing
• Zyflamend is affordably priced
• Zyflamend comes in several different formulas
• All the ingredients are highly concentrated and pure
• The New Chapter website is informative
• Zyflamend benefits a number of medical conditions
• Hu Zhong contains Resveratrol (equal to the amount found in six glasses of red wine)

Zyflamend – Negative Features

• No free trials are available for Zyflamend
• No money-back guarantee is shown
• Zyflamend contains no Glucosamine, Chondroitin or Hyaluronic acid

Zyflamend – Conclusion

Zyflamend would be a good choice for any consumer who prefers a more natural, alternative and organic product. As well as successfully supporting joint health, the fact that Zyflamend is rich in the anti-aging substance Resveratrol and may also help prevent some types of cancer means that it would be a useful supplement for anyone hoping to maintain good health in middle age and beyond.

While Zyflamend has not been known to have any side effects, as with any natural dietary supplement, it is wise to discuss with a doctor any possible medical complications or interactions beforehand.

The TripleFlex joint treatment is available in a number of various formulas all designed to provide ‘comfort, mobility and flexibility’. The product, manufactured by Nature Made, is marketed through the company website which provides good, basic information on all four formulas. The site includes a video of the TripleFlex commercial and a FAQ section. There is also a link to the main Nature Made website which showcases their whole range of products, articles on health and wellness and information regarding their rewards program, offering points redeemable for discount coupons.

The TripleFlex site is very easy for the consumer to use and all the links and sections are clearly labelled. A one-day sample of the new ‘softgel’ TripleFlex is offered and the customer has the option for signing up for an emailed newsletter and future offers.

TripleFlex – Facts

The information regarding the four different TripleFlex formulas is somewhat confusing, but it appears that the main active ingredients in all products are Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These two proven ingredients are often found together in many joint treatments, and are used to repair existing joint damage while helping rebuild and strengthen new cartilage. Some of the formulas also include Hyaluronic acid, a natural compound that helps lubricate the entire joint and produces thicker synovial fluid, the fluid that provides protection and cushioning.

TripleFlex 50+ formula is designed particularly for those who need the added benefits of Calcium and Vitamin D to help prevent certain degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis while MSM and White Willow Bark are used to support the connective tissues and provide pain relief.

Because the individual product labels are not shown it is not clear of the exact amounts in each formula, although it seems that the Glucosamine and Chondroitin are included in their optimal amounts (1500mg and 1200mg).

All four TripleFlex products are affordable, being in the range of $20.00 to $30.00 depending on the retailer.

TripleFlex – Positive Features

• TripleFlex is available in a range of formulas
• The softgels and caplets are smaller for easier dosage
• A free sample is offered
• TripleFlex is a partner of the Arthritis Foundation
• The Nature Made website provides general health information
• TripleFlex is designed to work within 7 days
• TripleFlex is affordable and widely available
• The website is user-friendly

TripleFlex – Negative Features

• No product label is provided
• No money back guarantee is offered
• The formula ingredients are unclear
• No customer testimonials are provided

TripleFlex – Conclusion

TripleFlex is a very standard joint treatment containing mostly proven ingredients that will provide long-term support for aging joints. Because the majority of consumers who would buy this product are over 50, it would make sense to recommend the 50+ formula over the other three although for some reason, it doesn’t include the beneficial MSM.

Although TripleFlex claims to be fast acting it will take time to reach its full potential meaning that the consumer may still want to use a topical joint pain cream for immediate relief when required.

Joint Advantage Gold is one of a range of products manufactured under the Dr. David Williams brand. There are numerous products for all types of conditions sold on the doctor’s official website, from weight loss aids to skin care and even ‘healthy’ kitchen appliances. As the information for the doctor shows, he is actually an ‘alternative practitioner’ and qualified chiropractor rather than a medical doctor, and in addition to his health products also provides general health articles and an e-mailed newsletter.

The website is very organized and easy to use and the information for Joint Advantage Gold is quite detailed and comprehensive. There are no customer testimonials for the product and no specific FAQ section (although there is one for general product and ordering questions). The ordering section is prominently featured and there are a number of different options for how to purchase the products, with discounts being offered on multiple orders. All products have a 100% satisfaction and money-back guarantee, but it is not stated how long the return period is.

Joint Advantage Gold – Facts

Joint Advantage Gold is designed to treat the main problems associated with sore, stiff joints, whether this is due to arthritis, rheumatism, aging, or injury. Like most other joint treatments, Joint Advantage Gold contains Glucosamine, here in its full potency of 1500mg, and two other glycosaminoglycons, (sugar molecules). Natural Eggshell Membrane and Bovine Cartilage both work together with the Glucosamine to help repair damaged cartilage, rebuilding it to be stronger, more durable and able to prevent further breakdown.

The remainder of the formula, for which all ingredient amounts are provided, includes Boswellian extract, an Australian herbal blend that contains wild rosella, lemon myrtle, aniseed and mountain pepper, and a European blend featuring devil’s claw, white willow bark, yucca, fever few and papaya. The former blend is designed mainly to help with flexibility, and the latter to fight disease causing free radicals.

The dosage for Joint Advantage Gold is 2 tablets twice a day. No information is provided with regards to how long the user must take the product for before seeing results or whether it needs to be taken at a dose to maintain joint health.

Joint Advantage Gold – Positive Features

• Joint Advantage Gold is more affordable than similar brands
• The developer of the product is a qualified chiropractor and alternative health practitioner
• All the ingredient amount are disclosed
• The Glucosamine is included at its full recommended daily amount
• The Dr. David Williams website contains general health information
• The product has a money back guarantee
• Joint Advantage Gold helps build and maintain joint cartilage

Joint Advantage Gold – Negative Features

• No joint lubricants are included in the formula
• There are several complaints regarding Dr. Williams’ products and medical advice
• The money back guarantee is not clear
• No customer testimonials are provided
• No shellfish allergy warning is given for the Glucosamine
• No independent consumer reviews are available

Joint Advantage Gold – Conclusion

Joint Advantage Gold appears to be a beneficial product, particularly for the price of $29.99 per bottle, which is less than many rival brands. Unfortunately, Dr. David Williams has the impression of being someone more interested in making a profit than really concerned about his customers and has also been known to have made some very radical and dubious statements regarding certain health conditions and cures, taking away from his credibility somewhat.

Flexacine is a natural pain reliever specifically designed to treat joints that have been affected by aging, injuries and degenerative conditions like arthritis or rheumatism. The product is manufactured by Chappell’s Health Products, owned by Dr. James Chappell, a chiropractor with 38 years of experience. While Dr. Chappell appears to be genuine, and judging from his own blog, knowledgeable about many aspects of natural health, the website for Flexacine is unprofessional in appearance and over-exaggerated.

The site consists of one page of information, mostly about the ingredients in the product and the ordering process. There is a link to the product label, so all the ingredients are known, but there are no customer testimonials or Frequently Asked Questions. Although the site states that Flexacine is a ‘breakthrough’ product, it provides no clinical studies to prove this, only a comparison chart to a rival brand to show how it contains double the amount of key ingredients.

Flexacine can be purchased directly from this website, which offers an auto-shipping program and discounts on multiple orders, and is also available from independent health retailers which allows for some price variance.

Flexacine – Facts

Somewhat confusingly, Flexacine is labelled as ‘vegetarian’ yet it contains two shellfish sourced ingredients, Glucosamine and Chondroitin, which also makes it unsuitable for anyone with allergies to this particular food. All the ingredients are natural, mostly botanical extracts, and are combined in a proprietary blend. The major active ingredients are Maca and Cat’s Claw. Maca in particular has a number of benefits including being an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hormonal support and even libido-booster. It has been used for centuries by Peruvians and South American Indians and is featured in several brands of joint medications.

Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM help repair damaged cartilage and provide the means for rebuilding it to be stronger, more cushioning and less prone to degeneration. SAMe is an amino acid that benefits joint function, while White Willow Bark is a natural alternative to aspirin and Bioperine, a black pepper, enables nutrients to be absorbed more efficiently.

The dosage instructions for Flexacine are for 3 capsules to be taken daily, and it is assumed that it must be taken continuously to maintain joint health.

Flexacine – Positive Features

• Flexacine contains all-natural ingredients
• The product label is provided
• Many of the ingredients have proved to benefit joint health
• The Flexacine website is informative
• Dr. Chappell is an experienced chiropractor with many products to his name
• Flexacine is available in independent retail stores
• Flexacine has a 30-day money back guarantee
• Discounted prices are available

Flexacine – Negative Features

• The Flexacine website is unprofessional in appearance
• The product wrongly claims to be vegetarian
• Flexacine is more expensive than many brands, costing approximately $30.00 for a month’s supply
• No customer reviews are provided
• No free trial bottle is offered
• The length of treatment is not known

Flexacine – Conclusion

There would really be no reason for a consumer to opt for Flexacine when there are so many similar, but more established products available. While Maca and Cat’s Claw have been used for many years, there is some doubt as to how effective they are as joint medications, although the addition of Glucosamine, Chondroitn and MSM will certainly be of some benefit over time. Until more independent consumer reviews are available, it would not be recommended.

StimTein is a joint pain supplement that the manufacturer’s claim contains a ‘little known FDA-cleared nutrient’.

The official website for StimTein is basically an unprofessional looking page of information that consists mainly of customer testimonials and over-exaggerated statements. The overall impression the consumer gets from reading the website is of a ‘too good to be true’ product of which very little details are given. The site does contain a video testimonial presentation and, as mentioned, numerous written ‘case histories’ where the customers claim to have experienced complete pain elimination in as little as 6 days.

The remainder of the company website explains how this ‘hot-out-of-the-box’ scientific discovery works to actually perform the act of building the stronger cartilage needed for healthy joints, likening the process to building a wall. The manufacturers are so confident that the formula will work that they offer a 100% 60 day money back guarantee.

StimTein – Facts

There is no full ingredient list for StimTein, nor is any product label shown. The only ingredients listed as being in the formula are the ‘Bone Activating Proteins’ which are known in medical terms as ‘morphogenetic’ proteins. Although it is not explained on the StimTein website, these morphogenetic proteins actually induce the formation of bone cartilage, an important component of healthy joints. Another effect of these proteins is to reduce inflammation, redness and swelling, the main cause of pain in these areas.

In the case of StimTein, the ‘Bone Activating Proteins’ are used in the place of the more commonly found ingredients Glucosamine and Chondroitin. The site details clinical studies which showed the proteins to be superior to the Glucosamine/ Chondroitin combination in creating new cartilage, plus, StimTein is suitable for those who cannot take these substances due to shellfish allergies.

No dosage instructions are given on the website, but it is known that the product should be taken on a consistent basis in order to maintain strong joints.

StimTein – Positive Features

• StimTein may actually build new bone cartilage
• The website contains customer testimonials
• The product has a 60-day money back guarantee
• The website details the scientific development of the main active ingredient

StimTein – Negative Features

• The StimTein website is gimmicky and over-exaggerated
• No ingredient list is provided
• No dosage instructions are shown
• There are no positive independent reviews on the internet
• StimTein is expensive costing $58.00 for a one month supply
• The company website looks unprofessional
• No lubricating substances such as Hyaluronic acid are in the formula

StimTein– Conclusion

While it seems as though the use of ‘Bone Activating Proteins’ has a positive effect on the formation of healthy joints, it is unfortunate that the information for StimTein is presented in such an unprofessional manner. There is indeed evidence that morphogenetic proteins are an important part of joint pain medications, although this raises the question of why they are not included in more over-the-counter brands. Until more is known about these proteins, and providing the user has no allergies to shellfish, it would be wiser to take a Glucosamine/ Chondroitin-containing product and preferably one that also contains anti-inflammatories and lubricating substances.