| There
are many joint support products available, unfortunately, few are
worth the cost.
In
our experience,
Arthroplex
is the best
joint support formula available. |
Arthroplex™
Thorne Veterinary
Ingredients:
Each capsule contains:
| Glucosamine
Sulfate |
225
mg |
| Green-Lipid
Mussels |
90
mg |
| DL-Phenylalanine |
75 mg |
| Boswellia
serrata extract |
35
mg |
| Bromelain |
35
mg |
| Vitamin
C |
100
mg |
With
natural bacon flavor added to enhance flavor and acceptance when mixing
capsule contents into meals.
Comments:
Arthroplex is one
of the best joint support formulas available. Dogs commonly suffer from
various arthritic conditions, including joint pain, back pain, chronic
limping, and a variety of other muscle and tendon problems. There are
numerous drugs available that can treat the pain involved, including aspirin
and Rimadyl®. Rimadyl is in a class of drugs called Nonsteroidal
Anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Although these drugs can lessen the pain
and thus relieve limping and improve mobility, none of these products
slow the deterioration of the joint, and they certainly do not heal the
joint disease. There is now evidence that many of these NSAID’s actually
increase the deterioration of the joint, as well as cause ulcers in the
intestinal tract and liver disease. Because of this, many veterinarians
have started using herbs and nutraceuticals that can help heal or protect
the musculoskeletal system.
| A word of caution:
Rimadyl comes in a chewable form. This is very dangerous. Dogs commonly
find the bottle of Rimadyl and, liking the taste, will eat the whole
bottle. This often is fatal. We recommend that
potentially toxic drugs never be purchased in a chewable form. |
Glucosamine sulfate
promotes the incorporation of sulfur into cartilage and connective tissue,
thus helping produce the complex mucopolysaccharides (joint structure
compounds) needed for healthy joints. Although there are a number of
building blocks for joint repair in minimally processed fresh foods, there
are no foods that contain glucosamine sulfate. The body must produce all
of the glucosamine it needs. Supplementation of glucosamine sulfate in
the diet is an effective way to increase the amount of glucosamine in
the body. It is readily absorbed, and may improve joint function. Arthroplex
adds a number of other nutraceuticals and herbs that enhance its activity.
Green-lipid mussels
are rich sources of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), as well as being rich in
chelated minerals. Chelated minerals (also called organic or food sourced
minerals) are much more readily absorbed into the body. There are a number
of minerals that are required for joint health. Green-lipid mussels also
contain amino acids (60% protein) and vitamins, all helpful for healing
joints.
dl-Phenylalanine (DLPA)
is added both to decrease pain and enhance nerve conduction. l-Phenylalanine
is a component of the catacholamine neurotransmitter cascade. Adding it
to the formula will increase the levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine
and dopamine, eventually improving nerve function. l-Phenyalanine also
increases Tyrosine levels which are used by the thyroid gland to make
thyroid hormone (low thyroid hormone levels are common in older dogs).
d-Phenylalanine seems to enhance the levels of the body’s natural pain
relievers, called endorphines and enkephalins, thus providing a natural
path for pain relieve.
Vitamin C is important
in the production of collagen, which is needed for soft-tissue support
for joints. Boswellia has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, provides
pain relief and improves GAG formation, thus helping to heal joints. Scientifically
speaking, Boswellia has been shown to inhibit formation of the pro-inflammatory
leukotrienes.
Bromelain is a proteolytic
enzyme, meaning bromelain will go into inflammatory areas of the body
and break down the inflammatory byproducts that the body needs to remove
to allow healthy tissue to develop.
Dosage
Dogs:
Capsules
can be fed intact, or they can be hidden in "meatballs" of
tasty treats, to make consumption easier; or they can be opened and
the contents of the capsules mixed into the dog's meals.
1-25
lbs - 1 capsule twice daily
25-50 lbs - 2 capsules twice daily
50-100 lbs - 3 - 4 capsules twice daily
Cats:
It
is best to open the capsules and feed with meals
1/2
to 1 capsule twice daily
Birds
It
is best to open the capsules and place in food. Make sure that enough
of the food is consumed to allow for proper dosage.
Small
birds (to 100 grams) - "salt" the food lightly with a tiny
pinch
Medium birds (to 250 grams) - 1/32 capsule twice daily
Large birds (to 600 grams) - 1/16 to 1/8 capsule twice daily
Very large birds (greater than 600 grams) - 1/8 capsule twice daily