Boswella – Helping Joints, Killing Germs & Even Boosting Your Brain

Boswella (also known as frankincense, olibanum, or boswellia) has been used medicinally and in ceremonies since the beginning of written history.  Its modern-day claim to fame is as a potent anti-inflammatory nutrient that can prevent the destruction of your joints while improving joint mobility.  However, it is a multi-talented nutrient.  A 2008 comprehensive review¹ of the literature published in the British Medical Journal found that Boswella research was encouraging and demonstrated clinical effectiveness for a number of highly inflammatory health problems: asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, osteoarthritis Degenerative joint disease. Most common type of arthritis that causes a chronic, progressive, breakdown in cartilage in middle-age adults and older., and colitis Inflammation of the colon. It may be related to Crohn's disease, Ulcertative Colitis or other Inflammatory Bowel Disorders .  Newer research shows it may help rejuvenate your brain while blocking infectious gangs.

The newest study shows that boswella can enhance the structural formation of new nerve networks².  When you consider that every neurodegenerative disease involves the destruction of these networks, including memory loss and loss of cognitive ability, the implications of this study are profound.  Several months ago an animal study showed that boswella could offset the impaired learning and memory induced by a hypothyroid state³.  Together these studies open a new door for boswella as a brain support nutrient.

Bacterial staph infections and fungal Candida infections occur when these common organisms for pathogenic Capable of causing disease or pathology. gangs known as biofilms.  This causes them to transfer from “farmer status” into organized “warrior status.”  Disruption of biofilms is the key to combating these infections; otherwise from a medical perspective one is left with an array of toxic sledgehammers that are rapidly losing their effectiveness in society due to overuse and consequent adaption by the germ gangs.  Disrupting biofilms is akin to a negotiated peace agreement wherein warriors go back to being farmers.  A 2008 study shows that boswella is highly effective at disrupting biofilms of staph and Candida albicans⁴ – two of the most troubling infections known to mankind.

There are many pathways within your body that relate to potential inflammation.  A key aspect is the health of your cell membranes and their ability to tolerate stress.  This applies to any cell membrane, whether in your joints, bones, immune cells, or cardiovascular system.  When you have higher levels of DHA Docosahexaenoic acid Essential omega 3 fatty acid integral to the health of all cell membranes, nerve and brain function. Must be gotten through the diet via cold water oceanic fish or some very limited plant sources or taken as a supplement. (typically from fish oil) in your cell membranes then inflammation is suppressed by regulating what are called anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.  If your cell membranes lack stability or are under high stress, then they may release an omega 6 fatty acid known as arachidonic acid, which triggers the production of a variety of inflammatory signals.  One of these signals is the production of an enzyme called 5-lipoxygenase which in turn stimulates the production of highly inflammatory immune system molecules called leukotrienes Powerful inflammatory fatty molecules of the immune system that contribute to inflammation in asthma, allergic disorders, atherogenesis, and arterial wall remodeling. .  Leukotrienes have long been for their role in asthma, allergy, and joint destruction.  However, a body of new science shows that too many of them also contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis⁵.  This has placed on new emphasis on finding safe and effective 5-lipoxegenase inhibitors. 

One of the most potent extracts of boswella available as a dietary supplement is a patent-pending standardized extract called 5-Loxin.  Science has shown that one of the boswellic acids (Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid or AKBA⁶) is the key to potent 5-lipooxygenase regulation.  5-Loxin is made in such a way as to standardized the extract for 30% AKBA, ten times more concentrated than ordinary boswella.  5-Loxin has been studied at the gene level⁷ to prove its anti-inflammatory properties via the modulation of TNFa Cytokine involved with systemic inflammation and regulation of immune cells. It is able to induce cell death, and inhibits tumorigenesis and viral replication. When dysfunctional it is associated with a number of disease processes. (which underlies the triggering of 5-lipoxygenase).  This is consistent with other studies which also demonstrate the ability of boswella to regulate the core inflammatory gene signal, NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. ⁸.

In 1998 a 90-day double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 5-Loxin was undertaken with 75 osteoarthritis Degenerative joint disease. Most common type of arthritis that causes a chronic, progressive, breakdown in cartilage in middle-age adults and older. patients (25 received 100 mg of 5-Loxin per day, 25 received 250 mg of 5-Loxin per day, and 25 controls).  Within 7 days the 250 mg group had a significant reduction in joint pain.  At the end of the study, both doses of 5-Loxin conferred clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain scores and physical function scores (such as range of joint motion). 

Additional testing of the joint synovial fluid (natural joint lubricant) showed that the key enzyme that inappropriately degrades cartilage, matrix metalloproteinase-3 Zinc-dependent enzymes that break down amino acids. They play a major role in cell behavior such as cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and host defense., was significantly reduced.  This is a very well done human study proving the clinical effectiveness of 5-Loxin for joint health.