Joint health is arguably one of the most overlooked categories in the sports nutrition industry. Most people focus on supplements that help them lose weight, build muscle, or gain strength. However, without healthy joints, it will be incredibly difficult to stay active regardless of how old you are or your goals.

At Axe & Sledge, we’ve always known the importance of joint health, so we released Elbow Grease over four years ago. As the dietary supplement industry has evolved, it was time to reformulate to create an even better joint support supplement.

We’re excited to announce that the newest addition to the Axe & Sledge Supplements Health Series is Joint+! To avoid any confusion, this product will be replacing Elbow Grease. Joint+ features several trademarked ingredients at their clinically studied dosages that promote healthy connective tissue, inflammation levels, recovery, collagen production, joint mobility, and more!

Keep reading more to see what Joint+ has to offer!

Supplement Facts Panel Breakdown

Every serving of Joint+ contains the following ingredients:

Glucosamine Sulfate - 1,000mg

Glucosamine sulfate is an amino monosaccharide naturally found in nearly all human tissues but highly concentrated in cartilage and other connective tissue. Glucosamine is primarily used for the production of glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins.

These compounds are structural components of cartilage and joints. They are crucial for joint strength, flexibility, and elasticity. The primary benefit of taking glucosamine is that it may reduce collagen degradation.

Chondroitin Sulfate - 500mg

Chondroitin is a glycosaminoglycan that’s naturally found in cartilage. Chondroitin’s primary function within cartilage is to provide mechanical support for joints and reduce tissue breakdown.

Chondroitin has several mechanisms of action. First of all, it helps draw water into cells, promoting overall hydration. Chondroitin also promotes the regeneration of chondrocytes, which are cells that make up cartilage. Lastly, it may inhibit the expression of interleukin-1 and prostaglandins, two proinflammatory immune compounds.

When taken alongside glucosamine, chondroitin may help lower joint stiffness and pain. Since chondroitin has strong anti-inflammatory properties, it offers a variety of benefits beyond just joint support. It may lower the risk of degenerative diseases and aging-related conditions.[2]

Cissus Quadrangularis Extract - 500mg

Cissus quadrangularis, commonly known as veldt grape, is a plant that’s native to certain parts of Asia and Africa. Traditionally, it has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as asthma, allergies, gout, high cholesterol, obesity, and more. Nowadays, Cissus quadrangularis is mainly utilized for bone loss prevention and to help reduce chronic joint pain/stiffness.

An 8-week study published in the Physician and Sportsmedicine journal found that supplementing with Cissus quadrangularis daily reduced exercise-induced joint pain in healthy men between the ages of 29 and 40 years old.[3]

One of the unique benefits of this ingredient is its ability to support bone formation through various mechanisms. The two most prominent mechanisms include increasing the proliferation of osteoblasts and the production of mucopolysaccharides.

Osteoblasts are cells that form new bones and grow or heal existing bones. Mucopolysaccharides, or glycosaminoglycans, are long chains of sugar molecules primarily found in fluid around the joints. Both compounds are important for healthy joints and bones!

OptiMSM® - 500mg

OptiMSM® is a trademarked ingredient from Bergstrom Nutrition that’s a 99.9% pure form of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Not to mention, it’s the only GRAS-designated MSM on the market, is allergen-free, and contains no banned substances.

OptiMSM® has a wide range of benefits including:

• Promoting joint health
• Supporting healthy skin, hair, and nails
• Anti-aging
• Immune system support
• Enhanced recovery and sports performance

Specific to joint health, OptiMSM® supplies the body with sulfur, the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. Sulfur plays an important role in maintaining healthy tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissues. Furthermore, OptiMSM® may assist with the reduction of oxidative stress and muscle soreness following exercise.[4]

UC-II® Collagen - 40mg

UC-II® is a trademarked ingredient from Lonza. It’s a unique form of undenatured type II collagen that’s been shown to promote joint mobility, comfort, and flexibility. Best of all, you only need to take 40 milligrams per day to receive all of the benefits it has to offer, which is exactly what’s in Joint+.[5]

UC-II® collagen works by interacting with specific immune cells to produce two peptides (TGF-β and IL-10). These peptides signal the body to rebuild and repair joint cartilage. Studies have shown that supplementing with UC-II® collagen for 60 days resulted in reductions in joint discomfort across three popular evaluation tools: WOMAC, VAS, and LFI.[5-7]

Bioperine® - 5mg

No matter how good a supplement seems, it’s not as effective if your body cannot properly absorb and utilize the ingredients. That’s why several of our products, such as Bioperine®, contain absorption-enhancing ingredients.

Bioperine® is a black pepper extract that’s standardized to contain at least 95% of its bioactive constituent, piperine. Several studies have shown that Bioperine® can help boost the absorption and bioavailability of several compounds thanks to its interaction with the surface of the intestinal tract. It also has antioxidant properties and may enhance thermogenesis.

We want to ensure that you get the most out of Joint+, so we added Bioperine® to round out the formula!

Suggested Use

For optimal results, take 1 serving (4 veggie capsules) of Joint+ daily with food.

References

1. Guerrini, G. and Milazzo, N. “Glucosamine Benefits, Dosages, and Side Effects.” Examine.com.https://examine.com/supplements/glucosamine/
2. Michaux, M. and Milazzo, N. “Chondroitin Benefits, Dosages, and Side Effects.” Examine.com.https://examine.com/supplements/chondroitin/
3. Bloomer, Richard J et al. “Cissus quadrangularis reduces joint pain in exercise-trained men: a pilot study.”The Physician and sportsmedicine vol. 41,3 (2013): 29-35.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24113700/
4. OptiMSM® Benefits and Research. Bergstrom Nutrition. Accessed Jan. 2024.https://optimsm.com/benefits-of-msm/
5. UC-II® Collagen Benefits & Research. Lonza. Accessed Jan. 2024.https://www.uc-ii.com/what-is-uc-ii
6. Vasiliadis HS, Tsikopoulos K. Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis. World J Orthop. 2017;8(1):1-11. Published 2017 Jan 18. doi:10.5312/wjo.v8.i1.1
7. Henrotin Y, Chevalier X, Herrero-Beaumont G, et al. Physiological effects of oral glucosamine on joint health: current status and consensus on future research priorities. BMC Res Notes. 2013;6:115. Published 2013 Mar 26. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-6-115