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The way some of our competitors’ products stay exactly the same, year in and year out, you’d think there was no such thing as the advancement of sports nutrition science. In fact, of course, that science is evolving continually by leaps and bounds all the time.

A good example of this progress is in the category of joint support formulations. Take a trip to any fitness supplement outlet near you and you’ll see rows of mostly identical formulas consisting of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. There’s nothing wrong with these two compounds; they have a long documented history of providing basic support of connective tissue.

Here at ProSource, we have our own variation of this basic formula, Ultra Glucosamine And Chondroitin, though of course ours is sourced from much higher-quality ingredients than those generic products on store shelves. ProSource’s Ultra Glucosamine And Chondroitin is an excellent choice for active, fitness-conscious people and athletes on a budget.

But there’s a whole other level of joint support technology available, made possible by recent scientific breakthroughs, for people who desire the ultimate comprehensive, multi-pathway support and feeding for super flexible, strong, resilient joints. This advanced science has been incorporated in the most complete and state-of-the-art joint support complex available to athletes -- ProSource's Extra Strength Joint Command.

The Challenges of Providing Proper Care and Feeding of Joints

Cartilage is a rigid connective tissue that acts as a supporting framework for joints, located at the articulating surfaces of bone, and in joint spaces. Tendons and ligaments are extremely dense, fibrous and narrow bands of tissue that must be both very strong and very flexible at the same time. One characteristic each of these types of connective tissue share is that they receive very little actual blood flow. This makes them hard to feed and support, even as the types of compounds they require for recovery and repair tend to be trace elements in a typical diet.

For years, sports nutrition science has emphasized two compounds for joint support supplementation -- glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. There are good reasons for this. Glucosamine, for instance, inhibits collagen degeneration as well as inflammatory processes that exacerbate cartilage damage. Research has shown that daily intake of 1500 mg of glucosamine provides a significant decrease in type II collagen degradation while maintaining collagen synthesis [1 Yoshimura, et al].

Chondroitin, on the other hand, supports the retention of water in cartilage, which aids in pressure resistance. Chondroitin also has been shown to increase hyaluronic acid in joint synovial fluid, increasing the viscosity of that essential fluid. Research has shown that chondroitin sulfate can help promote collagen and proteoglycan production by stimulating chondrocyte metabolism, thereby inhibiting cartilage destruction (2 Ronca, et al.)

This science is not particularly new, but it is well-documented. Athletes have benefited from it for years now, particularly when the source materials for glucosamine/chondroitin supplements are of the highest quality and provided in clinically indicated dosages, as they are in ProSource's Extra Strength Joint Command.

Going Beyond the Basics to Protect and Strengthen Joints

In recent years, sports nutrition experts have isolated a number of other mechanisms of support for connective tissue. Among these are hyaluronic acid, curcumin, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and boswellic acids. The challenge in each case has been to perfect a technology to deliver the required supportive nutrition in sufficiently bioavailable forms that will affect significant vitalization of joint structures.

Hyaluronic acid is a good example. Hyaluronic acid is found within the synovial fluid and is known to be largely responsible for its lubricating properties. In fact, injecting the space between bones with hyaluronic acid is a commonly employed treatment option for joint degeneration. But what of a non-invasive, supplemental approach for supporting optimal joint lubrication and pressure-bearing stability?

Extra Strength Joint Command contains a novel patented compound called HyaMax™, which is an orally available, natural, standardized hyaluronic acid supplement. The structure of HyaMax™ allows it to absorb water and expand 1000 times in volume, lubricating joints and muscles. Lubricating joints is conducive to the strength and flexibility of joints while cushioning and protecting bones. Research has demonstrated the highly effective therapeutic effect of hyaluronic acid on individuals, successfully restoring synovial fluid while providing anti-inflammatory effects [3 Moskowitz].

Another promising technology, also incorporated into Extra Strength Joint Command, is called 5-LOXIN®. An enriched boswellia serrata extract with enhanced anti-inflammatory properties, 5-LOXIN® has been associated with significant improvement in research test subjects, demonstrating decreased swelling and reported levels of pain with increased range of motion and walking distance capability following eight weeks of supplementation [4 Kimmatkar, et al.]. (The herb boswellia has long been linked with relief from inflammation, but the highly concentrated form present in 5-LOXIN® has been shown to provide significantly greater effects than the herb alone.)

Turmeric, a gold-colored spice common to curry dishes, has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicinal practices. Research, however, has identified curcumin as the active ingredient giving turmeric its supplemental efficacy, particularly with regard to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Unfortunately, a significant problem with curcumin-based formulations was the very low bioavailability of curcumin when it is administered orally.

This problem has been successfully addressed with the formulation of Meriva®, yet another key active ingredient in Extra Strength Joint Command. This curcumin-phosphatidylcholine compound (standardized for 18-22% curcuminoids) features an advanced phytosome technology that enhances the bioavailability and anti-inflammatory support properties of curcumin. Long-term administration of Meriva® has been shown to decrease inflammation and pain while improving joint function with noteworthy tolerability of supplementation [5 Belcaro, et al.].

Finally, OptiMSM® is a high quality source of methylsulfonylmethane, a natural analgesic that provides the body with organic sulfur to improve blood flow and decrease inflammation. A pilot clinical trial, published in the medical journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, reported that MSM improved symptoms of knee pain and physical function in test subjects in just 12 weeks without major adverse events [6 Kim, et al]. This advanced technology, along with a dosage of UC Type II collagen, completes Extra Strength Joint Command's multi-pathway support of anti-inflammatory action, flexibility support, and overall joint health.

The New Science of Comprehensive Joint Support

A devastating rupture or tear of connective tissue is one of the worst injuries an athlete can encounter. Fortunately, supplementation with validated, precision-target nutrition for support of tendons, ligaments, and joints can help keep you injury-free on your journey to achieving your physique and performance goals.

Enjoy true peace of mind as you pursue productive workouts, by providing unsurpassed care and feeding to your all-important joints with the widest, most comprehensive array of key joint support technologies -- found only in ProSource's Extra Strength Joint Command.


1 Yoshimura M, Sakamoto K, Tsuruta A, Yamamoto T, Ishida K, Yamaguchi H, Nagaoka I. Evaluation of the effect of glucosamine administration on biomarkers for cartilage and bone metabolism in soccer players. Int J Mol Med. 2009. 24(4):487-94.

2 Ronca F, Palmieri L, Panicucci P, Ronca G. (1998). Anti-inflammatory activity of chondroitin sulfate. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 6(Suppl A):14-21.

3 Moskowitz RW. (2000). Hyaluronic acid supplementation. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2(6):466-71.

4 Kimmatkar N, Thawani V, Hingorani L, Khiyani R. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee—A randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 10(1):3-7.

5 Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, Pellegrini L, Ledda A, Grossi MG, Togni S, Appendino G. (2010). Efficacy and safety of Meriva, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, during extended administration in osteoarthritis patients. Altern Med Rev. 15(4):337-44.

6 Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006 Mar;14(3):286-94.



Use as directed with a sensible nutrition and exercise program. Read and follow all product label instructions and warnings thoroughly before use. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The articles featured herein are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Specific medical advice should only be obtained from a licensed health care professional. No liability is assumed by ProSource for any information herein.