Ginger-based product to ease joint pain

A new herbal extract based on ginger and greater galangal has been launched by Enzymatic Therapy, which said the product could help ease join pain.

The patented formula is the only one combining ginger (Zingiber officinale​) and greater galangal (Alpinia galangal​) currently available on the US market, the company claimed.

Enzymatic Therapy cited a recent study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism​ which it said had examined the efficacy of the product, called FlexAgility. A total of 247 study participants were evaluated at week two of the study and again at the conclusion of the study on week six. The overall results demonstrated that at both evaluation periods, the FlexAgility group experienced superior joint support compared to the placebo group, the company said.

FlexAgility can reduce pain from occasional overuse without causing gastrointestinal side effects, as the combination formula inhibits the enzymes that cause pain and stiffness but does not significantly interfere with the important enzymes that protect the stomach lining, the company said.

Ginger and ginger extracts have been found to reduce stiffness due to occasional overuse, and it is certain compounds in ginger which are believed to be responsible for inhibition of particular enzymes associated with joint pain and stiffness. Greater galangal acts in much the same way, but using different compounds, which is why the combination of the two is so effective, said Enzymatic Therapy. Greater galangal is said to effectively manage nitric oxide production and activate protein kinase C, a protein which helps strengthen cartilage.

Enzymatic Therapy specialises in products to aid joint health and manufactures and distributes over 200 natural medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins and herbal extracts in the US. It claims to have been the first company to introduce Ginkgo biloba to the United States health market.