TamaFlex is combination of a tamarind seed extract with a turmeric extract. The ingredient has previously been studied to provide joint comfort, flexibility, and function in healthy participants. This new study puts the ingredient on a competitive footing with many other joint health ingredients, said Eric Anderson, managing director of NXT USA, the multinational group that developed the ingredient.
“The first study we did was with a healthy population. But the vast majority of joint health supplements today are based on studies done with patients that have some amount of osteoarthritis,” Anderson said.
Osteoarthritis is the catchall term for the progressive wearing of joints, especially the knee joint, and the body’s inflammatory response to that situation. It is distinct from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune condition. OA is to some extent a natural symptom of aging for many people.
Comparing apples to apples in joint space
“With our new study we were looking at a population that may already be experiencing joint discomfort and are exhibiting mild knee OA,” Anderson said. “It is not a diseased population per se, but one that is showing signs of aging.”
In this latest study 90 participants were randomized and equally assigned into one of three groups to receive either placebo, 250 mg of TamaFlex or 300 mg of TamaFlex Plus for 56 days. TamaFlex Plus is a more recent product development that adds a mangosteen extract to the mix.
The primary outcome of the study was the change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score, a common measuring stick in joint health studies. Improvements in the functional scores, such as range of motion measurements, serum pro-inflammatory modulators, and a cartilage degradation product in urine samples were secondary efficacy measures.