Updated February 25, 2015.
I noticed a supplement on the drugstore shelf recently, called Osteo Bi-Flex Edge. I remembered that I had previously written an article about Osteo Bi-Flex. That made me wonder what was different, if anything, about the "Edge" formulation. Here's what I found after I dug deeper.
Osteo Bi-Flex Product Line-Up
There are two Osteo Bi-Flex Edge formulations which have been added to the line-up of Osteo Bi-Flex products, bringing the number to 11:
- Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health One Per Day (contains 400 IU vitamin D, 1500 mg Glucosamine HCl, 100 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced)
- Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health MSM Formula (contains 1500 mg Glucosamine HCl, 10 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced, 1918 mg MSM/Chondroitin complex, Vitamin C, Manganese)
- Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health Omega-3 Formula (contains 1500 mg Glucosamune HCl, 100 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced, 30 mg MSM-Hyaluronic acid blend)
- Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health Triple Strength (contains 1500 mg Glucosamine HCl, 100 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced, 1103 mg Chondroitin/MSM complex, Vitamin C, Manganese)
- Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health Triple Strength Bone Formula (contains 80 mcg Vitamin K, 1500 mg Glucosamine HCl, 100 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced, 275 mg Chondroitin/MSM complex)
- Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health Triple Strength MSM Formula (contains 1500 mg Glucosamine HCl, 100 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced, 1500 mg MSM)
- Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health Triple Strength With Vitamin D (contains 2000 IU Vitamin D, 1500 Glucosamine HCl, 100 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced, 275 mg Chondroitin/MSM complex)
- Osteo Bi-Flex NutraJoint Gelatin Drink Mix (gelatin, calcium, Vitamin D, protein, zinc, Vitamin K, manganese, Vitamin C and E, phosphorus, and copper)
- Osteo Bi-Flex NutraJoint Joint and Immune Support Formula Drink Mix (gelatin, Glucosamine, Vitamin D, calcium, plus protein, Vitamins C and E, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and manganese)
- Osteo Bi-Flex Edge Joint & Energy (contains 1500 Glucosamine HCl, 100 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced, 300 mg Joint & Energy Complex [MSM, Green tea extract, Panax Ginseng extract, White tea, Chondroitin sulfate], plus B vitamins)
- Osteo Bi-Flex Edge Joint & Muscle (1500 mg Glucosamine HCl, 100 mg Joint Shield/5-Loxin Advanced, 60 mg Coenzyme Q-10, 275 mg Chondoitin/MSM complex)
The marketing for Osteo Bi-Flex Edge Joint & Energy and Osteo Bi-Flex Edge Joint & Muscle suggests consumers "Get an Edge". Both products claim that they strengthen your joints. In addition, one provides energy support and the other supports muscle health.
Marketing campaigns for the new Edge products seem to target a younger consumer demographic (the 30+ group) who are just becoming aware of the importance of joint health. But, while that is good intent, we must remember that dietary supplements are regulated differently by the FDA compared to foods and drugs. Unlike prescription drugs, dietary supplements cannot claim to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent a disease. Supplements can make claims about structure and function. A structure/function claim describes how a product may affect the organs or systems of the body, but it can not mention any specific disease.
While Osteo B-Flex products are considered safe and effective, it is difficult - if not impossible - to find studies that back that up. A search of Pubmed.gov for Osteo Bi-Flex brings up no results. So, the consumer is left to consider the ingredients individually.
About the Ingredients
Glucosamine is a popular dietary supplement that is used primarily to treat osteoarthritis. For years, researchers have debated the benefits of the supplement.
Chondroitin is a component of human connective tissue that is found in joint cartilage and bone. Chondroitin sulfate, a form of chondroitin, is an ingredient in some dietary supplements.
MSM is found naturally in some foods, but it is also marketed as a dietary supplement (a derivative of DMSO [dimethyl sulfoxide]).
Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, reduce inflammation. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are found in fish oil.
Boswellia serrata, also referred to as Indian frankincense, is classified as an ayurvedic herb. It is thought to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Joint Shield/5-Loxin "is a proprietary blend that works to guard against the action of compounds that affect joint health", according to osteobiflexedge.com. Joint Shield™ contains the ingredient known as 5-LOXIN® Advanced, a highly concentrated extract of Boswellia serrata.
Coenzyme Q-10 is a naturally-occuring compound found in every cell in the body. It is an antioxidant and known to have numerous health benefits.
B vitamins are included because they "support energy metabolism and the health of the nervous system", according to the manufacturer.
The Bottom Line
If you want to give Osteo Bi-Flex products a try, be sure you read the label and understand what you are taking. Be sure you have no allergies to the ingredients. Talk to your doctor about what you can realistically expect from the supplement.
Sources:
Osteo Bi-Flex Edge FAQs. Accessed 02/17/15.
http://www.osteobiflexedge.com/faq/
Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases. Klippel et al. Thirteenth edition.