Osteo Bi-Flex Review: Is it good for joint pain?
Osteo Bi-Flex looks like an extremely over-priced and under-powered joint supplement to us. The only positive to this formula is the generous glucosamine dose. However, it is unlikely that doses over 500mg add any extra benefits. Most of the formula is taken up by a proprietary blend – always a MAJOR RED FLAG. This blend could be mostly collagen, which is useless when consumed orally! Better joint supplements are available for sure. You can also split the dose up and take it twice per day.
What Is Osteo Bi-Flex?
Osteo Bi-Flex is a dietary supplement for optimal joint health.
There are several product variations, but all Osteo Bi-Flex formulations contain glucosamine and “Joint Shield 5-Loxin Advanced,” which is the brand’s trademarked moniker for Boswellia serrata extract.
The ingredients are credited with helping to strengthen joints, soothe occasional joint stiffness and aches, and support flexibility and mobility.
The product claims that by improving joint health, users will experience a more comfortable movement.
Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength also contains vitamin C, manganese, and a complex of chondroitin, MSM, collagen, boron, and hyaluronic acid.
There are four other Triple Strength variations that are differentiated by the addition of vitamin D, MSM, turmeric, or magnesium.
Osteo Bi-Flex should help with joint pain, as it contains glucosamine and chondroitin. These are key ingredients that are proven to help decrease joint symptoms. They exist naturally in the cartilage and can help to repair the damage. It is rich in antioxidants, in ingredients such as Vitamin C, which help repair damage to the joints and promote immunity. It’s high in anti-inflammatory properties which may lessen pain and swelling.
Osteo Bi-Flex provides nourishment to the joints and cartilages and repairs any damage. The ingredients rebuild them, so they are healthier, and this lessens pain and swelling in areas like the back, neck, and knees. It improves the flexibility and mobility of the joints. The product can lessen the chance that athletes will get injured while engaging in their sport.
- The product may lessen pain and inflammation in the joints, particularly the knees.
- It helps diminish arthritis pain in the back and neck.
- The supplement may prevent athletes from incurring injuries.
- This product nourishes the joints.
- It aids in the rebuild of cartilages.
All things considered, Osteo Bi-Flex is a product with too many downsides, mainly the inclusion of proprietary blend and usage of untested, ineffective ingredients.
We can talk about the benefits all we want, but the most important question about Osteo Bi Flex Triple Strength reviews to answer is: are the ingredients actually effective and backed by science?
Here is a list of Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength Ingredients:
- Glucosamine HCl (1500mg)
- Chondroitin/MSM Complex (1103mg)
- Joint Shield 5-LOXIN ADVANCED (Boswellia serrata extract) (100mg)
- Hyaluronic acid (unknown amount)
- Chondroitin sulfate (unknown amount)
- MSM (unknown amount)
- Boron (unknown amount)
- Collagen (unknown amount)
- Boswellia serrata (unknown amount)
As shown on the label:
At first look, Osteo Bi-Flex’s formula doesn’t look bad at all. It contains some of the most researched natural joint supplements available, and the doses in some cases are within optimal ranges. But there are also some issues with the ingredient profile – namely, the proprietary blend. The doses of many important ingredient are hidden, making it difficult to asses their overall effectieness.
We’ll now inspect the ingredients in more detail, explaining how they work and what the current evidence says. Obviously, we have skipped past vitamin C and manganese as they are not really worth going over when talking about joint supplements.
Glucosamine HCl
Glucosamine is an excellent natural joint health compound; it is the main ingredient in many of the best joint stacks on the market, and for a good reason. It is an amino acid and a core building block for many of the proteins which your body uses to make connective tissues. Glucosamine is therefore found naturally in large amounts in the tissues within and around your joints; at least that is the case in people with healthy joints!
Research suggests that glucosamine supplementation strengthens joints and lowers the risk of injury and joint pain.
Osteo Bi-Flex contains a large 1500mg dose of Glucosamine HCl. Most of the studies showing good results from Glucosamine supplementation used 500mg daily, so this is a lot more than we need (explained later in the side effects section).
Chondroitin/MSM Complex
As we mentioned, Osteo Bi-Flex doesn’t show the exact amounts for many of its ingredients. Instead, you can see a total dose of a proprietary blend of ingredients. This is a red flag for us, as manufacturers tend to only hide specific dosages when they are using mostly cheap and low-quality ingredients.
Needless to say, the ingredients that we will cover below all need to be dosed correctly to have any benefits (if they’re proven to work in the first place). Keep this in mind as we talk about them in detail below!
Joint Shield 5-LOXIN ADVANCED (Boswellia serrata extract)
The Boswellia serrata extract in Osteo Bi-Flex comes in a branded, highly potent form. Boswellia is packed with boswellic acids. One of these, AKBA, is shown to reduce the enzyme 5-LOX, which is what destroys your cartilage over time. By blocking the full effectiveness of this enzyme, Boswellia serrata extract can help enhance your cartilage, preventing the gradual age-related wear and tear and keeping your joints healthier.
In several human trials, volunteer’s joint strength improved within 28 days when given 100mg of high-quality extract of Boswellia Serrata per day. The 100mg in Osteo Bi-Flex is therefore more than enough to yield significant positive effects.
Chondroitin sulfate
Chondroitin is a molecular complex that sits suffused within your cartilage. It works by attracting water molecules with its potent negative charge. As a result, chondroitin helps lubricate your cartilage along with increasing its ability to absorb impacts and shocks.
The result? Stronger joints and less joint pain over the years. It is a huge disappointment that we can’t see the dose of this ingredient in Osteo Bi-Flex here, as very low doses of Chondroitin don’t have an effect.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring compound in the human body. You will see hyaluronic acid being used in lots of products, from supplements intended to improve joint function to cosmetics promising more youthful skin.
However, very little evidence shows that hyaluronic acid can actually strengthen bones/joints as it is so often said. In fact, there is no strong evidence at all that hyaluronic acid boosts joint mobility, flexibility, or health in any way.
This ingredient could easily make up the most f Osteo Bi-Flex’s proprietary blend, which is a really concerning thought as it does nothing for bone health (despite what the ads would want you to think).
MSM or Methylsulfonylmethane is a nutrient essential for the synthesis of proteins, fluids, and other integral components which make up your joints. We can’t overemphasize the role of MSM in the maintenance of healthy joints and reduction of joint pain. Our body needs MSM to make glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and other important proteins in cartilage and synovial fluid.
Unfortunately, Osteo Bi Flex has decided to keep MSM dosage a secret. Low doses aren’t shown to be effective.
Boron
Boron is not the most common joint supplement ingredient you’ll see these days. Boron is not used in every version of Osteo Bi-Flex; for example, you will find it in Triple Strength, but not in Triple Strength + Vitamin D.
In any case, the reason boron isn’t a typical joint stack ingredient is that there is very little evidence that it actually improves joint strength, flexibility, or health. Some rat studies show that Boron helps reduce joint pain and connective tissue breakdown, but human evidence is next to nonexistent at the moment. Strontium would have been a far superior choice here!
Collagen
This is an extremely misleading ingredient. Yes, collagen is a core building block of your joints and connective tissues. In fact, it is the main structural protein of your connective tissues – and the most abundant protein in mammals in general. Without collagen, you’d basically fall apart!
So, all of this means that collagen is a good supplement for joint comfort? No, not at all actually!
Collagen supplements are not absorbed by our digestive system. Most orally consumed collagen passes through the body without being utilized. Osteo Bi-Flex could be wasting you a lot of money here depending on how much of the proprietary blend consists of pointless collagen!
Our Commentary on Osteo Bi-Flex’s Ingredient Profile
Osteo Bi-Flex’s formula isn’t terrible at all. It is far better than some other joint stacks out there.
But is it the best joint supplement you can buy right now?
Not by a long shot.
To give it credit where credit is due, the supplement does have some good ingredients.
Glucosamine is highly effective at increasing cartilage strength and density, resulting in healthier joints in the long run.
The Boswellia serrata extract found in Osteo Bi-Flex is also excellent bone/joint health enhancer. In numerous clinical trials subjects given a potent Boswellia serrata extract (like the one in Osteo Bi Flex) rated their joint pain and joint health as notably bettered.
In some cases, their joint health improved within 7 days (which is where Osteo Bi-Flex’s claim about “improvement in 7 days” might be coming from).
However, there are also some major issues with Osteo Bi-Flex’s formula.
For beginners, some of its ingredients don’t work at all for joint health.
Collagen is not effective when taken orally; it merely passes through our body undigested, with only tiny amounts being absorbed.
Hyaluronic acid is common in cosmetics, but it is rarely seen in the best joint supplements because of the fact it doesn’t work!
Boron deficiency has never been shown to cause joint pain or fragile bones. Other nutrients, like magnesium and vitamin D3, have been shown to affect joint health and bone strength. Why Osteo Bi Flex uses boron is not clear to us.
As a whole then, Osteo Bi-Flex is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it contains good doses of some effective, well-researched ingredients. But on the other, it contains a lot of pointless junk that you’re paying for.
If you want to get the most value for your money, better joint supplements can be found on the market.
To take Osteo Bi-Flex triple strength with vitamin D or magnesium, you will take two tablets per day with food according to the product’s directions.
Osteo Bi-Flex Review: A Detailed Look at Effectiveness and Safety
Osteo Bi-Flex is a dietary supplement alleged to provide a proprietary blend of ingredients to support joint health, bone health and decrease muscle cramps.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is also known as degenerative joint disease, wear-and-tear arthritis, or age-related arthritis. OA is also the leading cause of disability in the United States and worldwide.
Arthritis is a term that means inflammation to the joints, occurring most commonly in the knee and hips. While OA is a common joint disorder, the number of people being affected by OA is likely to increase because of aging and obesity.
Dietary supplements like Osteo Bi-Flex are popular over-the-counter products. They are believed to support joint health that includes ligaments and cartilage.
In this article, we will review the available research to help you determine if there is any merit to the alleged benefits that Osteo Bi-Flex provides in supporting joint health.
Ingredients of Osteo Bi-Flex
Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength with Vitamin D:
- Vitamin D (as D3 Cholecalciferol) 2000 IU
- Glucosamine HCl 1,500 mg
- Joint Shield ™ 5-LOXIN Advanced® Boswellia serrata Extract (Resin) 100 mg
- Chondroitin/MSM Complex 275 mg
Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength with Magnesium:
- Magnesium 420 mg
- Glucosamine HCl 1,500 mg
- Joint Shield ™ 5-LOXIN Advanced® Boswellia serrata Extract (Resin) 100 mg
- Chondroitin/MSM Complex 275 mg
Osteo Bi-Flex One a Day:
- Vitamin D (as D3 Cholecalciferol) 400 IU
- Glucosamine HCl 1,500 mg
- Joint Shield ™ 5-LOXIN Advanced® Boswellia serrata Extract (Resin) 100 mg
How Does Osteo Bi-Flex Work?
Osteo Bi-Flex triple strength and one per day supplement utilize vitamin D to support joint health and bone health.
Osteo Bi-Flex also has a triple strength version with magnesium to help with cramps experienced in the leg.
To take Osteo Bi-Flex triple strength with vitamin D or magnesium, you will take two tablets per day with food according to the product’s directions.
With the Osteo Bi-Flex one per day supplement, you will take one tablet per day, preferably with food.
Will It Help to Improve Joint Health?
In Osteo Bi-Flex, vitamin D is provided in both their triple strength and one per day version.
Vitamin D is well-known for its ability to support healthy bone metabolism.
A study in mice found that vitamin D3 supplementation of 20,000 IU/kg during early adulthood leads to stronger bones than mice supplemented with vitamin D3 of 8000 IU/kg.
The dose contained in both the triple strength and one per day version of Osteo Bi-Flex is much less than what was used in animal studies. Likely, the amount used in Osteo Bi-Flex may not provide the same results.
Osteo Bi-Flex triple strength uses Chondroitin sulfate (CS), which is an important material that makes up the components responsible for the integrity of connective tissues, including cartilage, bone, skin, ligaments, and tendons.
CS consumption is suggested to reduce pain and the breakdown of the joint.
A review of studies to determine the effectiveness of CS has on decreasing the age-related osteoarthritis (OA) changes found that dosages of 1200 mg per day had more of an effect on pain reduction than dosages that were lower than 1000 mg per day.
While the data suggests that CS has a small to moderate efficacy in reducing OA-related pain, there was a minimal effect on joint space narrowing and no effect on cartilage volume.
Glucosamine is another ingredient in Osteo Bi-Flex and, like CS, has benefitted patients with OA. However, therapeutic use in the clinic continues to be debatable.
A review of studies found that oral supplementation of glucosamine reduced pain in adults with knee OA.
Included in the Osteo Bi-Flex vitamin D blend is methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which is reported to slow the rate of degeneration in knee OA.
However, a randomized study found a decrease in knee OA and progressive degenerative changes in the joint was more effective when glucosamine, CS, and MSM were combined.
Osteo Bi-Flex contains Boswellia in its proprietary blend of ingredients. Boswellia is suggested to play a role in inflammation associated with worsening symptoms and progression of OA.
A review of studies confirmed that Boswellia formulations are a valuable addition to knee OA treatments by relieving symptoms.
However, the review also suggests that the current body of evidence does not provide adequate size or quality to make a meaningful clinical practice recommendation.
Will It Provide Relief from Cramping in Legs?
Osteo Bi-Flex contains magnesium, which is involved in countless reactions in your body. As deficiency is thought to be associated with muscle cramping, treatment with magnesium is available in various forms.
The support for leg cramp relief through orally administered magnesium is mixed, suggesting that Osteo Bi-Flex efficacy is inconclusive.
Is Osteo Bi-Flex Safe to Take?
Osteo Bi-Flex should not be consumed if you have an allergy to shellfish as glucosamine is obtained from shellfish.
Even over-the-counter options for joint pain (Tylenol, for example) can be associated with unwanted effects when used chronically or incorrectly. In contrast, nutraceuticals typically offer a favorable safety profile.
That seems to be the case with all of Osteo Bi-Flex products. The dosages associated with Osteo Bi-Flex are also much less than what was used in studies for safety and efficacy.
While the safety profile of this extract is favorable, your joint pain may require medical care. Always speak with your doctor about your symptoms before starting a new supplement.
Further, you should also contact your physician to determine an underlying cause for your cramps to ensure you are on the best treatment plan.
How Much Does Osteo Bi-Flex Cost?
Osteo Bi-Flex Joint Health is available for purchase on Amazon.com. One bottle of 80 tablets of Osteo Bi-Flex triple strength costs $12.44 and comes with free shipping.
Various pricing exists for other versions of Osteo Bi-Flex through Amazon.
Osteo Bi-Flex does not have a money-back guarantee; however, Amazon’s purchases can also be returned to them.
The Bottom Line
Osteo Bi-Flex is an affordable supplement available as an over-the-counter strategy to help with joint health.
However, the evidence supporting the proposed benefits provides mixed reviews, and dosages in Osteo Bi-Flex are lower than those used in studies.
Adults with joint pain and those who experience muscle cramps should consult with their physician to determine if there is an underlying cause to their condition to ensure you obtain the most appropriate treatment plan.
While Osteo Bi-Flex contains ingredients that can be obtained naturally through diet, it can be a formidable strategy to prevent further degradation of joint surfaces due to increased aging, especially if combined with activity modification and improving hydration.