Update 4/4/20. Have you heard of Cissus (Cissus quadrangularis)? I didn’t, until recently when someone told me they were taking this medicinal herb for arthritis. After I did some digging I found there were a lot of reasons why people were taking Cissus. So, what Id like to do is briefly cover what is Cissus and what the Cissus research seems to be showing so that you can make a more informed decision about whether this herb is right for you. Cissus quadrangularis is actually a vine that grows in various areas of Asia and Africa. It has several ingredients such as vitamin C, quercetin, which are antioxidants.
Other Names
In the US it's often called cissus or cissus quadrangularis (pronounced “sis-sus quad-drang-u-lair-us”). Like most herbal supplements, it has many other names. A few others include you might also see include:
- Asthisonhara
- Veldt-grape
- Winged Treebine
What Does The Research Say?
Let's look at the evidence for the supplement. To make this easier the reasons people would take this supplement are broken down into different sections.
Cissus And Arthritis
Cissus quadrangularis is popular with weight lifters because they think it helps arthritis. Lab animal studies suggest that it might reduce joint swelling.
But what about people?
One study noted that the supplement reduced joint pain in men who exercised regularly. In this study, 29 healthy men (29-46 years of age) who regularly exercised strenuously, said they had chronic joint pain. They were given 300 mg for 8 weeks. After the study, the men said they had less joint pain.
Study problems
There was no placebo group. Another issue was that it doesn't appear that the researchers actually checked to see if the men actually had arthritis. Just saying you have “joint pain” may or may not mean you have arthritis. I also noticed the study only included men. What about women?
See the glucosamine review for more on that supplement.
Cissus does appear to have some anti-inflammatory properties and this seems to be where people got the idea that it may help arthritis pain. My guess is that speculation about it helping arthritis may have started because of its effect on hemorrhoids.
Cissus And Ulcers
The supplement has been tested to see if it helps ulcers. So far, most of the research involves lab animals. The human proof is lacking.
Cissus And Weight loss
So can it help weight loss? In one randomized placebo-controlled study, the supplement promoted weight loss more so in overweight people who did not receive it.
The problem with this study was that the product studied (called, Cylaris) didn’t only contain Cissus. It had soy, chromium, green tea extract, caffeine, and other ingredients.
In another investigation, Cissus AND Irvingia gabonensis (African Mango) were combined to promote more weight loss than Cissus alone. In this 10 week study of 72 obese people, those treated with Cissus alone lost 8.82 lbs after 10 weeks while those treated with Cissus and African mango lost 11.86 lbs. Those in the placebo group lost about 2 pounds.
See the African Mango review.
In another weight loss study, a Cissus extract (CQR 300) was compared to another supplement (called “CORE”) in overweight people. Both supplements resulted in more weight loss compared to placebo over the course of 6-8 weeks. People took the CQR 300 extract for 6 weeks and the CORE Cissus supplement for 8 weeks.
- People taking the CORE supplement 6.9 lbs without dieting and 8.5 lbs with dieting (2100 cal/day).
- People who took the Cissus extract (CQR300) lost 4 lbs without dieting and 5 pounds while dieting.
Cissus And Osteoporosis
Preliminary studies hint that the nutrient may help build bones –in rats and maybe in people. So far, the research is mostly limited to lab animals and test tubes. No study to date has demonstrated that the supplement can rebuild bone or reverse osteoporosis in humans.
What About Fractures?
Some speculate the supplement may help bones heal faster after they are fractured. The evidence stems from the early 1960s. In a more recent study of 8 dogs, researchers broke the right forelimb of dogs to create a fracture (I know, very cruel!). Dogs given the supplement healed their fractures faster than those not given it.
What about ligament and tendon injuries? The proof is lacking.
See the BPC 157 review.
Cissus And Testosterone
So, does this supplement have an anabolic effect? Can it raise testosterone or androstenedione levels? The human proof is lacking. This doesn't mean it doesn't work, but rather that nobody appears to have done any research on Cissus and anabolic hormones or exercise.
Like all hormone boosting supplements to know if it really works is to get your hormone levels checked first. Then try a supplement for a month and then retest hormone levels again.
Cissus And Cortisol
Some websites make the claim that supplement suppresses cortisol levels. Cortisol is to bodybuilders what crosses and sunlight are to Dracula. So does it? There's no human proof.
Does It Detox The Liver?
Preliminary research -lab rats- appears to show the supplement helps protect against liver damage. That doesn't necessarily mean it cleanses or detoxes the livers of humans. Research is lacking.
Cissus Quadrangularis Side Effects
Does Cissus have any side effects? Studies usually report it's generally safe in healthy people who take it for short periods of time. In lab animals, high levels have been reported to produce side effects including hemorrhaging of organs, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and loss of balance. most human studies report no serious side effects. Here is a short list of things to consider. This list is not complete:
- Start with less than recommended for the first week
- talk to your doctor if pregnant or nursing
- stop taking at least 2 weeks before surgery
- talk to your doctor if you take any medications
Does Cissus Work?
Preliminary research so far is interesting. The health effects experienced may depend on what you were taking it for, the severity of the condition, and the quality of the supplement used. People have told me Cissus has helped their arthritis pain but without better research, it's hard to know how significant an effect it might have.
Here it is on Amazon if you want to learn more.
So there is a review on this supp. I May give it a 2-3 month trial.
yeah people told me about it and I got interested. If you try it, let me know what you think.
I started using Cissus a few months ago when I was in agony with what had been diagnosed, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. I did receive much relief and took it for quite awhile. It was a Vitamin Shop formula. When I needed more my daughter picked some up for me (a Vitamin Shop brand). It didn’t work. I noticed the bottle was different. It has “weight management” on the label (the first I used didn’t say that). I did notice my appetite diminished with the earlier formula, but saw no difference with last.
Anyway, I took it back to The Vitamin Shop to see if I could get the one I had first bought. They told me it had been replaced with the Weight Management formula. Very disappointed. I haven’t been taking it, but I may try to find another formula..
Speakupit, next time Im in vitamin shoppe, I’ll take a look at their brand to see if anything else is in it. Maybe try another brand and see if it works for you? There are many brands of cissus out there.
speakupif, I see that you’re correct about the cissus from Vitamin Shoppe. I had used it in the past and I looked at my online order confirmation email from them and the one I used from them was item #VS-2607 and when I searched their website for that item it wasn’t available anymore. I switched to using the whole herb cissus from Swanson Vitamins. It’s reasonably price and they regularly have 20% off coupons for their site (check retailmenot) and free shipping if you spend a certain amount of money.
Sam, thanks for the heads up. I also found Swanson Cissus on Amazon I agree its pretty reasonable.
As stated earlier, I know Cissus has been a huge help to my wife and I. It most likely will be dismissed and doubted until a pharmaceutical company can figure out how to synthetically manufacture it and get a patent. Then it will be a miracle drug.
Cissus helped me recover for a joint sprain in my wrist after doing a one arm hang in a trapeze harness incorrectly. I am a massage therapist so that was NOT a good thing to go through. I recovered quickly and effortlessly so it has been a big help for me as well. I wrote a previous reply also mentioning Celadrin and systemic enzymes. I swear by these supplements especially when I need to recover quickly from injury
Thoughts?
Cissus Quadrangularis has been a staple of traditional Indian medicine for centuries. USPlabs researchers discovered the power of this unique herbal remedy and have now made it available to Western athletes and bodybuilders, or anyone else who wants to strenghthen muscle and bone.
Its unique blend of vitamins, minerals, and steroidal compounds not only build and strengthen muscle and bone, but actually promote and speed the healing process of tendon related injuries, while at the same time soothe the pain of sports related injuries.
Common painkillers like aspirin only mask the pain of injured muscles, bones, and tendons and can damage the stomach lining and even cause ulcers. Scientific studies have shown Cissus Quadrangularis actually speeds the healing process and prevents ulcers by strengthening the gastric mucosa, the stomach’s protective lining.
Cissus quadrangularis is an ancient medicinal plant native to the hotter parts of Ceylon and India. It was prescribed in the ancient Ayurvedic texts as a general tonic and analgesic, with specific bone fracture healing properties.
Modern research has shed light on Cissus’ ability to speed bone healing by showing it acts as a glucocorticoid antagonist (1,2). Since anabolic/androgenic compounds are well known to act as antagonists to the glucocorticoid receptor as well as promote bone growth and fracture healing, it has been postulated that Cissus possesses anabolic and/or androgenic properties (1,3).
In addition to speeding the remodeling process of the healing bone, Cissus also leads to a much faster increase in bone tensile strength. In clinical trials Cissus has led to a fracture healing time on the order of 55 to 33 percent of that of controls.
That cissus exerts antiglucocorticoid properties is suggested by a number of studies where bones were weakend by treatment with cortisol, and upon administration of Cissus extract the cortisol induced weakening was halted, and the healing process begun.
With studies showing that hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women may increase the risk of breast cancer and heart disease, many women are looking at alternatives to estrogen to help prevent osteoporosis.
Although there appears to be no published research showing that Cissus increases bone density in osteoporosis, or helps prevent the disease, the fact that the herb speeds recovery of fractures suggests that may increase bone density as well.
It would almost certainly help speed the recovery of fractures that are a common occurrence with osteoporosis.
Chronic glucocorticoid therapy is a high risk factor for the development of osteoporosis. Glucocorticoids are believed to interfere with the action of osteoblasts, the cells that are responsible of the deposition of new bone material.
The drug mefipristone (RU-486), an antiglucocorticoid as well as progesterone antagonist, has been successfully used to treat osteoporosis but the side effects, such as endometrial hyperplasia, are serious enough to preclude its routine use for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Cissus seems to be devoid of such side effects and may prove to be a viable compound in osteoporosis treatment.
While the increased rate of bone healing may be of great significance to persons suffering from chronic diseases like osteoporosis (4), the antiglucocorticoid properties of Cissus are likely of much more interest to the average bodybuilder or athlete, since endogenous glucocorticoids, particularly cortisol, are not only catabolic to bone, but catabolize muscle tissue as well.
Numerous studies over the years have suggested that glucocorticoids, including the body’s endogenous hormone cortisol activate pathways that degrade not only bone, but skeletal muscle tissue as well.
A recently published report documented exactly how glucocorticoids (including cortisol) induce muscle breakdown: They activate the so-called ubiquitin-proteasome pathway of proteolysis (5). This pathway of tissue breakdown is important for removing damaged and non-functional proteins. However, when it is overactive during periods of elevated cortisol (e.g disease states, stress, and overtraining) excess amounts of normal tissue are broken down as well.
By exerting an anabolic, antiglucocorticoid effect cissus helps preserve muscle tissue during times of physical and emotional stress.
Although the bulk of the research on Cissus centers around bone healing, the possibility exists that Cissus may act to improve bone healing suggests it may improve the healing rate of connective tissue in general, including tendons. If this were the case it would be of even greater benefit to bodybuilders and athletes.
Besides the above-mentioned properties of Cissus, the plant is also rich in the vitamins/antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene. As analyzed, Cissus quadrangularis contained ascorbic acid 479 mg, and carotene 267 units per 100g of freshly prepared paste in addition to calcium oxalate (6).
The typical recommended daily dosage of Cissus extract is between 100 and 500 mg, depending on the concentration of the extract and the severity of symptoms. For the powder of the dried plant, the Ayurvedic texts recommend a dosage of 3 to 6 grams to accelerate fracture healing. Safety studies in rats showed no toxic effects at dosages as high as 2000 mg/kg of body weight. So not only is Cissus efficacious, it is also quite safe, in either the dried powder form or the commercially available extract.
Cissus also possess analgesic properties on a mg per mg basis comparable to aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Cissus quadrangularis constitutes one of the ingredients of an Ayurvedic preparation, `Laksha Gogglu’, which has been proved to be highly effective in relieving pain, reduction of swelling and promoting the process of healing of the simple fractures as well as in curing the allied disorders associated with fractures (7).
The mechanism through which Cissus exerts its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties has not been well characterized. It may act centrally, but the anti-inflammatory features suggest that it acts by preventing the conversion of arachidonic acid to inflammatory prostaglandins.
1) Chopra SS, Patel MR, Awadhiya RP. Studies of Cissus quadrangularis in experimental fracture repair : a histopathological study Indian J Med Res. 1976 Sep;64(9):1365-8
2) Chopra SS, Patel MR, Gupta LP, Datta IC. Studies on Cissus quadrangularis in experimental fracture repair: effect on chemical parameters in blood Indian J Med Res. 1975 Jun;63(6):824-8.
3) PRASAD GC, UDUPA KN. EFFECT OF CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS ON THE HEALING OF CORTISONE TREATED FRACTURES. Indian J Med Res. 1963 Jul;51:667-76.
4) Shirwaikar A, Khan S, Malini S. Antiosteoporotic effect of ethanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. on ovariectomized rat. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Dec;89(2-3):245-50.
5) Combaret L, Taillandier D, Dardevet D, Bechet D, Ralliere C, Claustre A, Grizard J, Attaix D Glucocorticoids regulate mRNA levels for subunits of the 19 S regulatory complex of the 26 S proteasome in fast-twitch skeletal muscles. Biochem J. 2004 Feb 15;378(Pt 1):239-46.
6) Chidambara Murthy KN, Vanitha A, Mahadeva Swamy M, Ravishankar GA. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Cissus quadrangularis L. J Med Food. 2003 Summer;6(2):99-105.
7) Panda, J Res Ayurv Siddha, 1990, 11, 7
Seth, I guess you copied that stuff from another website (USPlabs website?). Regardless, I looked up the studies that were used as references to support the positions and here are my thoughts on them. I’ll list them in order that the refernces are mentioned
Reference 1. This is a decades old study (1976). That doesn’t make it a bad study. I just found it interesting whoever wrote all that had to go back to the 1970s to prove a point. Since I saw the title “experimental fracture” I believe this is a lab animal study.
Reference 2. This is also a decades old study (1975). Like the first study, I’m unable to see the summary of the study so I can’t comment on how it was done.
Reference 3. This study goes back to 1963 – even before I was born! I can’t find the summary/abstract of it so I can’t comment on it.
Reference 4. This is a rat study
reference 5. This is a rat study
Reference 6. This is a test tube study
Reference 7. This reference has no title so I cant tell what it is about.
I noticed that what you posted stated “USPlabs researchers discovered…” If they discovered something, did they publish a study on what they discovered? If yes, why was it not mentioned in the list of references that accompanied this summary on the power of cissus?
Where do USPlabs researchers do their lab work? In other words, is there a laboratory facility called “USPlabs?”
Regardless of all this, I do hope cissus helps you.
All i will say is Ciissus helped me a lot after my shoulder surgery along with Ibuprofen. I’m unable to take pain killers and that combination took just enough of the “edge” off that I was quite comfortable. I’ve also noticed when i use it, I am much less sore from workouts or other strenuous activity. Maybe it’s just me but I love it.
Effect of Majja Basti (therapeutic enema) and Asthi Shrinkhala (Cissus quadrangularis) in the management of Osteoporosis (Asthi-Majjakshaya).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3456847/
Yigal
I looked at the study. Ive honestly never seen or heard of enemas helping osteoporosis so this was a first for me. A few things I noticed about the study whcih I think is important to keep in mind
1. out of the 12 people in the study, only 8 completed it. So this is a very small study
2. It appears some people in the study had osteopenia, not osteoporosis because they mention people in the study had a BMD of “less than 1.” As I understand DEXA scan interperation, a BMD of “-1 to -1.5” is osteopenia (not osteoporosis). As such, their BMD loss is not as great as those with osteoporosis (that is, having a BMD of less than “-2.5). lumping osteopenia improvements with those of people with osteoporosis could skew the results of the study.
3. It appears the study lasted 3 months. In that time they report almost a 31% increase in BMD. That is indeed impressive and its more than I would think is possible in such a short period of time. That said, was it the cissus or the enamas that caused this? I think this study would have been better if it just looked at cissus.
4. If I understand the study, appears the people used 3000 mg cissus per day. something to keep in mind for those who are considering cissus to help osteoporosis.
its an interesting study but because it had such a small number of people Id like to see a larger study done that only looked at cissus and lets see what happens.
Thanks for passing this along to me!
I know it is quite long time after you wrote after that nice article I could say. There is no real evidence for anything, from what I see. From a personal opinion, would you believe it would do anything of the above?
ps: I found by luck the name of Cissus and decided to make a search about that, if it would really benefit in any level.
Michail, when it comes to arthritis, I’m on the fence right not about cissus because some people do tell me its helped them feel better. Just because I couldn’t find any evidence doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t work but rather that maybe nobody has taken the time to take a good look at it yet. Given the lack of evidence, the best I can say is if you try it and it helps – or doesn’t let me know. I’d think you should know in a few weeks either way.
I take the powder with grapefruit in the morning and with cranberry in the evening. It has helped me with my acid reflux, my joints won’t hurt anymore ( I am a weightlifter), I have gained a nice muscle tone gradually and it also helps me have more stamina. I have not gotten injured so far in my training.
It has been almost a year and cissus has helped me not to feel too sore after tough workouts. I would not change it for anything. Like I mentioned, I only take the pure powder, no pills with other additives. It has changed things for the better. I highly recommend.
Core, thanks for the feedback!
I just started taking it yesterday and can already tell a difference. I deal with chronic pain in my joints from inflammation. I have had open heart surgery in the last year and my sternum has not completely fused together. I have been trying so many different things to help both of these issues. I am using calcium supplements, Vit. D, Osteo-Bi-Flex, and a host of other supplements to affect my overall health and recovery. I ran across this stuff simply by accident and started using it.
Yesterday, I didn’t have the energy to hardly do anything. Today, my joints feel much better, my appetite is reduced, and my general pain level is significantly lower. I know this is really soon, but I am hoping to have found what I have been looking for. My heart surgery was because of an aneurysm and genetic heart valve issue and not my weight, which is about 150 over where I should be, but I am loving the idea that this stuff can get me back on the right track. So many people can’t exercise because of the pain from the inflammation. Many of us live is a catch 22 situation, and I am praying to break free!
Kerry, I also hope it continues to help you feel better. please keep me posted on your progress.
Hi. Did any of the research highlight a concern taking CQ with an enlarged prostate?
Elliott, I dont think so. I did a fast search on pubmed for cissus and prostate and cissus and BPH and didn’t see any research appearing. Double check with your urologist and pharmacist just to be on the safe side.
I was abreviating cissus quadrangularus, CQ as another ingrediant not cq10. I know it has nothing to do with joint help. I’m the one who uses joint juice the 2000 mg glucoseamine hcl, 1200 chondrointin and 500 mg MSN. It helps only my knees I’m hoping first to get glucosamine sulfate instead I suppose it will have to be in some sepatate other formulation, without the chondrointin ( because of the prostate risk). Any suggestions on a product that has glucosamine sulfate and maybe some other promising ingredient that has the clinical trials with people to back it up..? Thanks
John, Id say pick a product from a company you have heard of. if they have been around for a while, they likely have a reputation and would want to take pride in their products by putting quality ingredients in them. Many of the studies look at knee arthritis. one of the issues with glucosamine etc is helping knee pain doesnt always mean it helps pain elsewhere in the body. There are a lot of people commenting on my anatabloc review that its helping their pain. I think the science leaves a lot to be desired but Id guess that may be something to consider. no promises on that though.
Oh and CQ as well..
I dont think Coenzyme Q10 does anything for joints but it might help blood pressure and other things.
I wonder why not use both glucosamine sulfate and Beneflex you would think the combination of all would be a benefit???
John, hard to say. maybe. glucosamine has more research than hyloronic acid. Id say start with glucosamine and see if that helps. then if not maybe add its other ingredients one at a time – boswellea, tumeric (save money on the other stuff in it)
Joe, have had friends put off knee surgery, because Boswellia alone, reduces arthritic joint pain quickly. really good safe anti inflammatory.
John, Thanks for sharing. I’m happy it has helped your friends.
Anti-inflammatory agents may reduce pain but there is research showing real supplements to actually aid in repair. According to Daniel Bourassa, D.C., NO plays a significant role in breakdown of articular cartilage through the catabolic effect of IL-1. By supplementing with Niacinamide the effects of IL-1 can be reduced.
They go as far as to claim that the progression of collagen II-induced arthritis is inhibited by Niacinamide. And I still hold that Cissus works wonders. My mother who is 86 now with rotator cuff pain has taken it for three weeks and no longer cries when she lifts her arm above her head.
Kent, I’m really happy your mom is doing well with Cissus.
So why do you think so few people have heard of it when almost everyone that tries it vouches for it’s effectiveness. We told a Chiropractor about it and they said they couldn’t find anything on it. Hello . . . Its all over the internet.
Kent, I honestly could not say why.
I haven seen your review of this one Joe.
.Rather “dissing” glucosamine & chondroitin.. its called BENEFLEX JOINT RELIEF. Main ingredients UC-II® is a new form of denatured type II collagen and Aprèsflex® a highly concentrated form of boswellia serrata, a rare tropical plant. Boswellia serrata they say has been shown to ‘switch off’ the pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators that can lead to joint discomfort so they claim.
Here is the google Ad: Or I would like to see your review if you already have one? Anyway… the ad:
“Goodbye” to Glucosamine and Chondroitin…
Glucosamine has been around for years and if it hasn’t worked for you before now is the time to try something new. The active ingredients in Beneflex can start relieving joints in as little as 7 days. relief starting in 7 days…
If you’re looking for joint relief, a massive change is taking place. And it’s vital you know about this important news. New joint relief ingredients are finally available and provide a powerful alternative to ‘old school’ solutions.
For decades, two words have dominated the market for joint relief supplements: glucosamine and chondroitin. And with good reason.
Glucosamine is a natural compound that’s present in healthy cartilage. As The Mayo Clinic website states: “Available evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee.” Chondroitin is derived from articular cartilage and is often paired with glucosamine to improve joint relief results, although the efficacy of Chondroitin has been doubtful at times.
where does glucosamine come from?
The glucosamine in most dietary supplements comes from crushed shellfish—usually shrimp and crab. Vegetable based alternatives are available, but are expensive and not nearly as prevalent. Chondroitin is often made from a variety of sources. Sometimes shark and fish cartilage is used.
While glucosamine and chondroitin are safe and readily available, there can be drawbacks. People with shellfish allergies should avoid glucosamine. The quality of supplements with these ingredients can vary significantly—especially with the low-cost versions. Some glucosamine products use the non-sulfated version. Again, from The Mayo Clinic website: “…only the glucosamine sulfate form is effective and non-sulfated glucosamine forms are not effective.”
With so many products available in stores and online, finding a truly effective glucosamine or chondroitin product can take months of expensive trial and error. Results from the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) conducted by the National Institutes of Health, provided this sobering conclusion: “For participants in the mild pain subset, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate together or alone did not provide statistically significant pain relief.”
While those with severe joint discomfort can benefit from glucosamine and/or chondroitin, results can take up to 6-8 weeks. Plus the studies have indicated some people experience mild but irritating side effects including headache and insomnia.
Addressing the issues with glucosamine and chondroitin, a group of accomplished nutritional developers in Boston, MA asked a simple question: “How can we create a powerful joint support product that’s convenient, effective, and DOES NOT rely on glucosamine and chondroitin?”
After extensive research, they answered their question with a premium, all-new, natural dietary supplement: BENEFLEX JOINT RELIEF.
To provide the highest quality joint support, the developers looked at two proven joint support ingredients: collagen and boswellia serrata. During their research, the developers decided to incorporate new and more powerful versions of collagen and boswellia serrata: Aprèsflex® and UC-II®.
Aprèsflex® is a highly concentrated form of boswellia serrata, a rare tropical plant. Boswellia serrata has been shown to ‘switch off’ the pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators that can lead to joint discomfort.
UC-II® is a new form of denatured type II collagen. Interest in collagen use began 20 years ago when researchers discovered positive results with un-denatured collagen. Researchers recently discovered that denatured collagen is more concentrated and thus even more powerful. Fortunately, denatured collagen is finally available in significant quantities. Beneflex includes UC-II®, a highly concentrated type II version of collagen.
how does beneflex work?
So with concentrated versions of two proven joint support ingredients, Beneflex provides a valuable additional benefit: Beneflex is available in a small capsule taken once a day. No more horse pills. No more tedious gels, powders, or creams.
And Beneflex can provide relief from joint discomfort starting in just 7 days…
FAST Relief from Joint Discomfort
Highest Quality Ingredients
Helps Improve Joint Flexibility
Safe and Drug-Free
Gluten-Free
To boost the effectiveness of the UC-II® and Aprèsflex®, the nutritional researchers included two additional power-packed ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid and Turmeric. Hyaluronic Acid is found in healthy joints; it forms protective structures around the cells in joints. Turmeric is used in Asian cooking and provides additional joint relief by lowering histamine levels and increasing production of a natural cortisone that helps with joint discomfort.
The nutritional researchers who created Beneflex decided to create a premium joint product with the highest quality ingredients from trusted sources—to provide peace of mind and fast relief. The company behind Beneflex has several bestselling dietary supplements in GNC stores. And Beneflex is produced in the United States to FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
A trial sample of Beneflex is available for a limited time. Samples are only available online and provide a 14-day supply. If you’re suffering with joint discomfort, then try Beneflex today. Discover joint relief from the all-new combination of ingredients. Samples are available in your city. Simply click here to see if you qualify for the sample.
John, I looked up BENEFLEX joint relief. Its first ingredient Hyaluronic acid. No matter what they say the “evidence” for Hyaluronic acid stems from injecting it into joints -not oral supplements. Ive never seen a study where Hyaluronic acid supplements helped arthritis. They talk a good game on their website but it looks like its an over priced anti-inflammatory (tumeric and boswellia).
Joe, My wife and I were introduced to CISSUS today. He is taking it in powder form. His son is a body builder in his fifties and has won a number of chamionships. He uses it but I have no knowledge of his complete regime (other than he eats 20 egg whites a day).
I am amazed at your research and the responses which are very informative. Like our neighbour we are in our seventies and while I am a prefect specimen at 75, my wife has two knees, bone on bone, being a tough Scorpio of 73 she never whinges and gets on with life. We travel a lot and I would be very happy to lessen her pain. Thank you and all your respondents for your and their input.
Youre very kind thanks much and im glad you found me. I do hope cissus helps
Celadrin may help your wife’s bone on bone.
BW, I looked up Celadrin as I had heard of it before. It’s a menthol cream. The menthol temporally replaces feelings of pain with feelings of cold. It’s a temporary feeling. It works the same as Ben Gay and other sports creams.
Joe,
Now Foods sells 2 types of celadrin, one as a softgels and another as capsules and they both got good reviews on Amazon. I actually came to this website hoping to see if you had done any research on celadrin. I’m looking for something to reduce my knee pain and swelling in the left one (which I had surgery on 2.5 years ago) after I workout or run. I want to avoid glucosamine because it could affect my insulin levels so I’m looking for alternatives. One of my coworkers told me about cissus so I might try it.
Sam, I have not looked at celadrin yet but its on my list of things to look at. The website I saw for it didn’t readily show me any good proof that it helps but that said, Id think that you would know in a month or so if its going to help or not.
Have you tried using an elliptical rather than running for your cardio? how about a bike? What about cross training (do different types of cardio on different days)? I know you dont want to hear this but the fact that your knee bothers you from running says to me that the running is hurting your knee. Eventually I’m afraid that its going to stop you from running – supplement or not.
Joe, thanks for your response. Actually I’m not really running much anymore. I’m doing exactly what you said. I’m actually doing P90x which is a form of cross training. I ride my bike to the gym. I occasionally use the elliptical machine at the gym but I prefer the Precor AMT type of cardio machines because they allow a more full range of motion with no impact.
I’m still getting knee pain and stiffness especially after I workout my legs or do a cardio workout so I was looking for something to try but preferably something for Now Foods because their supplements tend to be highly rated and reasonably priced online. Any recommendations on what joint supplement that you would try first. Thanks in advance.
Sam, I like the Precor also. its a good machine. Have you tried stretching after working out? that might help also. As for knee joint pain, a few things to look at might be
Glucosamine sulfate
MSM
You’d know in about 4-8 weeks if they are going to help or not.
If you read the comments on my review of Anatabloc there are people who swear by it. I think the evidnce is less than what Id like, but, if money isn’t it might make an interesting experiment.
Some people also say Zyflamend helps too (its less expensive than anatabloc)
Have you ever thought about physical therapy? I’m wondering if a PT might be able to offer some specific exercises to help you.
Thanks again Joe. I’ve had physical therapy on my left knee before because I had a partially torn patellar tendon but it didn’t do much help except for the stretching parts of the PT. My left knee swells up after I do the P90x plyometrics workout and only slightly when I do the leg workout. Now both knees make like a slight cracking sound when I walk up and down stairs (yes I know that’s not good).
The stretching does help with my knee pain and the P90x workouts include stretching with one workout dedicated to stretching and another dedicated to yoga. I was considering taking a glucosamine sulfate MSM supplement but my dad who is a diabetic (luckily I’m not) told me not to take it because of insulin spikes. It seems to make logical sense since glucosamine is related to glucose. What have you found regarding that? I will look into your other 2 recommendations Anatabloc and Zyflamend.
Sam, there are some reports that glucosamine might not be all too great for people with diabetes due to how it might alter blood sugar levels. Im not sure how significant this is since Ive met diabetics who took glucosamine and never had a problem. Still, it is something I would consider if I were a diabetic.
Celadrin is an esterified fatty acid. I used that and a brand of systemic enzyme for my shoulder injury. I did too may handstands and pull-ups without fully stretching my shoulder girdle or cuff. Now I have knee issues and use systemics for it as well as stretching and exercises to help balance my legs.
I highly recommend celadrin for joint cushioning and systemic enzymes (I like Pain Power which is a brand I get from a store on Maui) and I recommend PT. Also to consider is rolphing which helped me realign and rebalance my body.
I am a massage therapist and I also recommend massage to help the knee. A lot of times (not always) problems can be addressed with massage, rolphing, PT, and other bodywork modalities by rebalancing the leg muscles. It would be wise to interview your bodyworker to understand if he or she knows how to deal with these specific issues.
I’ve been having “twinges” in my knees off and on (tendon, muscle, bone pain all over), for several years. The doctor told me to take 4000 ml of Tylenol a day, but didn’t like that idea so just endured I determined to try to get back to exercising because I was getting very wobbly on my feet and had fallen a number of times. I immediately injured my knee and the pain then seemed chronic. I decided to see another doctor.
His recommendation was surgery and diagnosis arthritis and Fibromyalgia. I didn’t want surgery (know too many who have had that and continued to suffer). He suggested Cortisone injections. I foolishly agreed without doing research. That caused numerous side affects and didn’t help the knee. I was really feeling so bad and was looking online for alternative relief.
Went to The Vitamin Shoppe and bought Cissus Extract. That was February 23, 2004. Within two days I had relief and have been so happy to have relief in knee and the all over pain. I started taking 2 capsules thirty minutes before breakfast and 2 capsules thirty minutes before dinner. (occasionally have twinge in knee right before the next dose.)
Oh, Cissus Extract has suppressed my appetite, so much so that I forget it’s meal time. I have done research (which is how I found your site). Cissus Quadrangularis has lots of different names, and not much info but lots of comments of good results. Please don’t find any dangerous thing it does, although at my age, as long as it won’t make me an invalid or a raving maniac, I’ll probably continue taking it as long as it works. btw I have exercised almost every day since the second day of beginning to take it. Age:77
speakupif, thanks for writing and Im really glad cissus has helped you. Other than what I listed in my review, Im not aware of anything bad at this time. At 77, if its helped you the way you say then I’d say keep doing it.
Follow up on Cissus experience. In reading my previous comment I noticed the starting date should have been 2014. Since that time I have found relief from Cissus. I have tried going off and on to determine if it is beneficial since I have tried other things as well.
My goal is to “fix” what’s causing my pain, not just temporary comfort. I had been off of Cissus for about a month and knee pain was increasing so had my daughter pick up some at The Vitamin Shop. Didn’t notice at first the label on the new says ” weight management traditional herb” It helps knee, but not as quickly (it seems). I had definitely noticed the previous one dulled may appetite. (It was taken 30 mins. before meals).
This new one recommends taking with meals and my appetite has increased. Wish I had saved old bottle to compare. I’ve decided to have HA injection in knee to try longer lasting pain relief.
Another thing I tried was a Glucosamine w/ MSM. I felt it helped my pain but my skin itched all over. I got one without MSM which didn’t cause itching, but wasn’t as effective with pain. I know I’m all over the map here, but appreciate the sharing of remedy experience with all.
speakupif, I sometimes find myself all over the map too so no worries 🙂 I hope the HA injections help your knee pain. let me know what happens.
I tried both the Swanson Vitamins Cissus and Vitamin Shoppe Cissus Extract and I preferred the Swanson one which is the whole herb as opposed to the Vitamin Shoppe one which is standardized extract. I felt like the Swanson one had more an effect on me.
Do you have any indication on the dosages for toxic levels in animals as compared to dosages in humans and also any info on the dosages given to canines? (I’m looking for something to help my aging lab as she’s having a lot of arthritis/bone joint problems and an elderly Hindu gentleman suggested I try this and in my research I came across your article)
Jeff, Im not sure. I’d bet a vet would know this though.
I was taking high doses of prescribed codeine combined with naproxen for a rotator cuff injury. The pain didn’t improve: the injury appeared to not be healing significantly with rest etc. So after being threatened with steroid injections I decided to try an alternative approach. On the third day of taking CQ the pain had lessened significantly. I am now entering my 4th week of taking CQ. The pain/discomfort that remains is due to muscular wasting/rebuilding as I avoided using the injured arm/shoulder for so long.
Btw, I’m a normal 42yr old female, not a bodybuilder, who injured herself lifting a 3′ x 2′ paving slab in the garden.
Liz, glad you are feeling better. Rotator cuff injuries are SOO common. I hope you are also getting some physical therapy to strengthen the rotator cuff to reduce the chances of this happening again.
I have been taking Super Cissus for two weeks and I have had an itchy bumpy rash breakout on my hands and feet that has gotten worse every day. I am allergic to nuts, trees, grasses, shellfish, and many other things. I am going to discontinue using this product. Allergic reactions are not listed as possible side effect of this supplement but should be noted.
Jeanne who makes the Super Cissus you were taking? just in case anybody else asks or may have the same problems.
Hi Joe.
I’m currently taking Primaforce Cissus to combat stresses and strains and to see if it has an anti-inflammatory effect. I’m taking 1000mg of the extract three times daily, and even though I’ve only been on it a short time, I’ve noticed that a recent bout of tendon pain in my right shoulder has started to heal really quickly – something that’s been giving me issues for a week or two has been affected by the cissus very quickly. I’ve been doing manual work for the past few days, and despite doing things that have been aggravating the injury recently and without any real rest, after taking the cissus I’ve noticed that pain has reduced and mobility has increased.
The Super Cissus mentioned is made by USP Labs, a body building supplement company who have been in repeated trouble with the FDA for selling two other supplements that contained the banned substance DMAA – Oxy Elite Pro and Jack3d. Worse still, they were the only company that refused to remove their DMAA products from the market when required to by the FDA, instead embarking on a ridiculous campaign to defend a product linked to deaths.
They were also warned by the FDA for making claims about Super Cissus that were not established, and they were further warned about failing to secure supply chains that guarded against contamination in a number of their finished products and which did not comply with GMP.
http://www.fda.gov/iceci/enforcementactions/warningletters/2012/ucm339936.htm
I’m someone who trains hard and enjoys it, and I’ve tried a variety of different supplements to help me achieve my goals. However, I always thoroughly research them before I take them – I wouldn’t touch USP Labs with a bargepole, and I’d be very suspicious of anyone who defends them. I wouldn’t be shocked if USP Labs Super Cissus was contaminated (it’s also produced for USP Labs at a facility in India not owned by USP Labs) or they failed to notify on the label that the product was made in a facility that also processed other ingredients that Jeanne is allergic to.
Cheers,
Chris
Chris, Ive been curious about USP labs myself. Ive been wondering if there was an actual building called “USP Labs” where scientific/laboratory work is conducted? Their website does not give a physical address for the company. The address listed in the link you provided is 10761 King William Drive
Dallas, Texas 75220. When I looked this up on google, the building appeared to look like some sort of warehouse.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=10761+King+William+Drive+Dallas,+Texas+75220&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x864e9d421023e18f:0x40c37ddc2850cedc,10761+King+William+Dr,+Dallas,+TX+75220&gl=us&ei=4ZC9UsOHF8bP2wXUpIGICw&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA
Ultimately, I know three things for sure about USP Labs. One, that the FDA know they’re vertically integrated and so contract out most of their production to other companies (perhaps even in other countries), and two, that their CEO, Jacob Geissler, pleaded no contest in 2003 for buying steroids and was given community service. This was before USP Labs was founded. Finally, I know they’re a very slick marketing operation.
They started by selling prohormones and went from there. Whether or not they have actual labs is unknown, and in the unregulated supplements market you probably won’t find out as long as the FDA lets people get away with the dietary supplement excuses. USP would say they do have labs, probably, but what’s a lab?
Geissler is on record saying they just try and blend herbal remedies, while he say drug companies try to extract patents from those remedies. So if USP Labs do have actual labs, then my suspicion is that they’re very basic and just concentrate on blending raw herbal extracts, colorings, flavorings and sweeteners until they get the right taste and they hit therapeutic levels of herbal remedies in combinations that allow them to call it a proprietary blend.
But lots of companies do that. It’s highly annoying, because most of the other crap they put in there to get the USP (unique selling point) has limited evidence for it. So with slick marketing, they end up dominating the market and the raw ingredients (like individual BCAAs or combinations thereof without glutamine, or just cissus, etc) end up being squeezed out. Most people don’t care to do the research, and so just buy the packaged stuff in proprietary blends at a premium price.
There are very few supplement companies I trust, and most of them are either Australian or New Zealand companies, where the markets are highly regulated and the supply chain is monitored. My exception from the US market is Optimum Nutrition, and even then it’s only two or three products.
But even when my only option for cissus and plain BCAAs was USP Labs, I wouldn’t go near their stuff. Seriously dodgy company hiding behind a veneer of well designed labels and a name that suggests something other than the reality of the company.
Chris, I wasn’t aware of the history of the CEO. I did a quick online check and turned up this USA Today article for those who were curious
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/24/usplabs-has-history-of-fda-run-ins-ceo-with-criminal-history/3179113/
Chris,
Thanks for the information about USP Labs. I didn’t know all that negative stuff about them and I’ve been taking Jack3D as a pre workout supplement.
If you’re looking for other less expensive brands of Cissus Quadrangularis from more reputable supplement manufacturers, you should check out the following products from Swanson Vitamins and Vitamin Shoppe. The one from Swanson is full spectrum and the other from VS is standardized.
swansonvitamins.com/swanson-premium-full-spectrum-cissus-quadrangularis-400-mg-60-caps
vitaminshoppe.com/p/cissus-extract-800-mg-240-capsules/vs-2607
I also found both the Cissus products on amazon:
Swanson Full Spectrum Cissus Quadrangularis
Vitamin Shopp Cissus Extract
USP labs has been in a battle with the FDA for a while now. Here are a couple of newspaper articles that discuss it
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/17/business/supplements-called-risky-are-destroyed.html?_r=0
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/10/usplabs-withdraws-oxyelite-pro-supplements/3489455/
Thank you. I do appreciate your elaboration on the studies; the fact that one study used two different periods of time does affect the outcome, and possibly provide inconclusive evidence. I think this is important whenever reading about a study to fully understand the results as well as the method, so thank you.
Meredith, thanks. I saw your a diabetic. Ive written about type II diabetes a few times on my other site – Joe-Cannon.com and was just listening to a podcsast today on ReachMD.com where scientists are in Phase I trials now to see if they can “cure” type I diabetes. They have cured it in mice. I thought Id pass that along to you in case you had not heard it.
this whole article can be summarized as: “i dont know, some studies support this claim, but i dont know”
Joe, I would summarize it a little differently than that but there is a big limitation on quality studies. Do you have anything you would add to what i wrote?
I Do! I took it after researching it for a ruptured Triceps tendon. They said in a year I might be able to bench press again, five months post op I pressed 365lbs at age 49. Last year I did it again but doing a super heavy squat I ruptured my Quad. (Doing squats way too deep). It has not been a year yet and I am powerlifting again leg pressing 400lbs, jogging, and doing 160lb leg extensions with that leg. I TAKE CISSUS and when I don’t my shoulders hurt, when I take it I suffer no symptoms or loss of strength!
I don’t need anyone to validate it for me.
My wife is going to Worlds in Powerlifting, has never had a major injury but also swears by Cissus
Kent, that is fantastic! Real’y glad its working for you. What brand are you using?
USP Labs and have referred to other 50+ weight lifters to it and they both swear that it made a huge difference with rotator cuff pain and strength.
Thanks Kent!