PLT Health Solutions has received an updated licence from Health Canada’s Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) to market its AprèsFlex 5-Day Joint Support Ingredient for joint health in Canada.
AprèsFlex, a patented, low-dose Boswellia serrata gum resin extract, has been the subject of four randomised, double-blind clinical trials.
It can be used alone or combined with other ingredients in joint health products and is featured in some joint health brands worldwide.
AprèsFlex is now approved for providing long-term joint health benefits, supporting improvements to joint comfort, stiffness, and function, and maintaining joint space and cartilage.
It is also now cleared to protect the knee, reduce cartilage breakdown, lower key biomarkers of cartilage breakdown, and increase mobility.
Other claims include protection against deterioration of cartilage and maintaining healthy cartilage and joint health, among others.
PLT Health Solutions president and CEO Seth Flowerman said: “The combination of fast acting experiential improvements in joint comfort with demonstrated long-term efficacy, and now with the newly demonstrated claims on cartilage health – both preservation and protection – offers the industry never-before available messaging opportunities for consumer products benefiting people of all ages – and all in a single, low daily dose of 100mg.”
In a recent clinical trial, 80 men and women aged 40-75 took either 100 mg/day of AprèsFlex or a placebo for six months.
The individuals taking AprèsFlex saw a significant improvement in joint comfort, with pain reduced by up to 70% and stiffness reduced by 25% in the first month and by 72% by six months. In addition, physical function also improved by 71% after six months.
MRI scans showed that while cartilage thickness decreased in the placebo group, it was maintained or slightly improved in the AprèsFlex group.
Additionally, AprèsFlex users had lower levels of markers indicating cartilage degradation and inflammation compared to the placebo group.
In April, PLT Health Solutions secured an NNHPD licence to market its Nutricog Cognitive Performance Complex to support cognitive health in Canada.
Last month, the ingredient maker launched the Vanizem ingredient to lower stress, enhance mood, and improve sleep in the North American market.
