Osteo Bi-Flex
Pros
- Good serving of glucosamine
- Uses potent Boswellia serrata extract
Cons
- Proprietary blends are ALWAYS a RIP-OFF!
- Glucosamine doses above 500mg are pointless
- Hyaluronic acid and collagen do nothing for joint health or joint pain
- Boswellia serrata included twice - BLEND STUFFING?!
Osteo Bi-Flex Review Summary
Osteo Bi-Flex looks like an extremely over-priced and under-powered joint supplement to us. The only positive to this formula is the generous glucosamine dose. However, it is unlikely that doses over 500mg add any extra benefits. Most of the formula is taken up by a proprietary blend – always a MAJOR RED FLAG. This blend could be mostly collagen, which is useless when consumed orally! Better joint supplements are available for sure.
Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength Review: Does this joint supplement really work?
Osteo Bi-Flex is an incredibly popular joint supplement. Made by a company of the same name, Osteo Bi-Flex has been on the market for quite some time. In the US, Osteo Bi-Flex has been mainly sold by retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, CVS, and increasingly, Amazon. Those of you from Canada, the UK and the EU may also recognise this joint supplement from online ads, or from some of the many Osteo Bi-Flex reviews found on health blogs.
According to the website, the benefits of using Osteo Bi-Flex include:
- Supports healthy joint mobility
- Easees joint stiffness
- Soothes joint pain
Incredibly, Osteo Bi-Flex claims to delivr improved joint comfort “within 7 days”. That is really quite a bold and impressive claim. Very few joint supplements can realistically claim to work in 7 days. Normally, it takes several weeks of using a joint supplement daily to see significant improvements in joint pain and mobility. This is because it takes time to increase connective tissue repair, reduce systemic inflammation, and so on.
So, does Osteo Bi-Flex really work as advertised? Is it safe? Will it cause side effects? Is Osteo Bi-Flex an anti-inflammatory? Does it help to repair cartilage? Read our detailed Osteo Bi-Flex review below to find out.
Osteo Bi-Flex Ingredients: What is in this joint supplement?
This is by far and away the most important question for Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength reviews to answer. It is the ingredients that make a joint supplement!
Here is the Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength ingredients list:
In case that image isn’t clear, here is a list of the Osteo Bi-Flex ingredients with dosages:
- Glucosamine HCl – 1500mg
- Joint Shield 5-LOXIN ADVANCED (Boswellia serrata extract) – 100mg
- Chondroitin/MSM Complex – 1103mg
- Chondroitin sulfate – DOSE UNKNOWN
- MSM – DOSE UNKNOWN
- Collagen – DOSE UNKNOWN
- Boswellia serrata – DOSE UNKNOWN
- Boron – DOSE UNKNOWN
- Hyaluronic acid – DOSE UNKNOWN
At first glance, this does not look like a bad joint supplement at all. Osteo Bi-Flex contains some of the most effective natural joint supplements available, and the doses in some cases look very generous. We’ll now go through the ingredients in more detail, explaining what they do and what the scientific evidence has to say. Obviously I have left out the Vitamin C and Magnesium as they are not really worth talking about in the context of a joint supplement.
Glucosamine HCl – 1500mg
Glucosamine is a great natural joint supplement; it is the main ingredient in many of the best joint supplements on sale today, and with good reason. Glucosamine is an amino sugar, and a central building block for many of the proteins which are used to form connective tissues. It is therefore found naturally in large quantities in the tissues which surround and support your joints; at least that is the case in individuals with healthy joints! Studies show that glucosamine supplementation improves joint strength and reduces the occurence of injury and joint pain.
Osteo Bi-Flex contains a massive 1500mg dose of Glucosamine HCl. Most of the clinical trials showing good benefits form Glucosamine supplementation used 500mg per day, so this is much more than we need (more on the potential side effect risks later).
Joint Shield 5-LOXIN ADVANCED (Boswellia serrata extract) – 100mg
Joint Shield 5-LOXIN ADVANCED is a branded, highly potent Boswellia serrata extract. Boswellia serrata is a unique source of boswellic acids. One of these acids, AKBA, has been shown to inhibit the enzyme 5-LOX, which is what breaks down your cartilage over time. By inhibiting this enzyme, Boswellia serrata extract (via AKBA) can help protect your cartilage, prevent the gradual wear and tear that comes with ageing, and ultimately give you stronger, healthier, more robust joints.
In several human studies, subjects joint health improved (within 28 days) across numerous measures when given 100mg of high quality extract per day. The 100mg of Boswellia serrata extract we get from Osteo Bi-Flex is therefore more than enough to produce significant benefits.
Chondroitin/MSM Complex – 1103mg
Unfortunately, Osteo Bi-Flex doesn’t show the exact dosages for all of its ingredients. Instead, we are given a total serving size for a proprietary blend of ingredients. This is always a huge red flag for us, as manufacturers generally only hide specific dosages when they are stuffing the formula with the cheapest ingredients. Obviously, all of the ingredients below need to be dosed properly to have any beneficial effects (if they’re even capable of them). Bare that in mind as we discuss them in more detail!
Chondroitin sulfate – DOSE UNKNOWN
Chondroitin is a complex of molecules that is woven throughout the extracellular matrix which surrounds your cartilage. While it sits suffused through your cartilage, chondroitin attracts water molecules due o its strong negative charge. It therefore both lubricates your crtilage and increases its ability to absorb shocks and impacts. The end reslt is healthier cartilage, stronger joints, and less joint pain over the long term (as well as reduced chanceof injury). It is a real shame that Osteo Bi-Flex keeps the ingredient dosage a secret here, as very low doses of Chondroitin are ineffective.
MSM – DOSE UNKNOWN
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a nutrient needed for the synthesis of the fluids, proteins and other structural components which together make up your joints. We canot overstate the importance of this nutrient for the maintenance of healthy joints and the prevention of joint pain; MSM is needed to make collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, and other important proteins found in synovial fluid and cartilage.
Collagen- DOSE UNKNOWN
Collagen is an extremely misleading joint supplement ingredient. Yes, collagen is an integral building block of your connective tissues. In fact, it is the main structural protein found in connective tissues, and the single most abundant protein in mammals. Without collagen, you simply couldn’t build any tendons, ligaments, skin, or any muscle tissues at all.
However, that does not mean that collagen is a good supplement for joint comfort, or that it is a natural bone/joint strengthener! Collagen is not digested and absorbed by the human digestive system. Most orally consumed collagen passes straight through the digestive system and out the other end! Osteo Bi-Flex could be wasting a lot of your money here depending on how much of the chondroitin/MSM complex is useless collagen!
Boron – DOSE UNKNOWN
Boron is not a typical joint supplement ingredient. Interestingly, Boron is not used in every Osteo Bi-Flex formula; for example, it is found in Triple Strength, but not Triple Strength with Vitamin D. In any case, the reason Boron is not a standard joint supplement ingredient is that there is limited evidence that it actually improves joint health, strength, or flexibility. Some studies done on rats have found that Boron supplementation helps reduce joint pain and connective tissue erosion, but human evidence is thin on the ground. Strontium would have been a much better choice here!
Hyaluronic acid – DOSE UNKNOWN
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. Today hyaluronic acid is used in lots of products, from supplements claiming to improve joint comfort to cosmetics promising better skin. However, there is very little evidence that hyaluronic acid actually acts as a bone/joint strengthener as is so often claimed. In fact, there is no real evidence that hyaluronic acid improves joint health, flexibility, or mobility in any way. This ingredient could easily make up a significant chunk of the Osteo Bi-Flex proprietary blend, which is a very worrying thought as it does nothing for bone health (despite what some supplement manufacturers want you to think).
Osteo Bi-Flex Formula Analysis: Is this a good joint supplement?
Osteo Bi-Flex is not a terrible joint supplement. It certainly isn’t a scam, and the many positive reviews out there are not wrong exactly.
But is Osteo Bi-Flex the best joint supplement on the market rigth now?
Not even close.
To its credit, this joint supplement does contain some good ingredients.
Glucosamine has been shown to be highly effective for increasing cartilage density and strength, and ultimately to deliver healthier joints over the long term.
he Boswellia serrata extract used in Osteo Bi-Flex is also a highly effective bone/joint strengthener dietary supplements. In numerous clinical trials participants given a potent Boswellia serrata extract (like 5-LOXIN Advanced) rated their joint health and joint pain as markedly improved. In some cases, joint health improved within 7 days (which may be where Osteo Bi-Flex gets its “joint health improved within 7 days” claim from).
However, there are also serious problems with the Osteo bi-Flex ingredients.
For starters, some of the ingredients do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for joint health.
Collagen is not effective when consumed orally; it merely passes through the digestive system and only tiny amounts of absorbed by the body.
Hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient in cosmetics, but it is rarely seen in joint supplements because of the siple fact it doesn’t work!
Boron deficiency has never been linked with joint pain or weak bones. Other minerals, like Strontium, have been found to affect joint strength and bone density. Why Osteo Bi-Flex uses this ingredient is a mystery to us!
On the whole then, this is a bit of a mixed bag joint supplement. On the one hand, Osteo Bi-Flex provides generous doses of some good, effective, clinically proven ingredients. But on the other hand, it contains a lot of useless garbage that you’re paying for.
If you want the most bang for your buck, better joint supplements than Osteo Bi-Flex are available for sure.
What about Osteo Bi-Flex Ease?
Osteo Bi-Flex coms in a number of different configurations. There’s Triple Strength, Triple Strength with Vitamin D, Triple Strength with Magnesium, and Osteo Bi-Flex Ease (or Joint Health Ease).
Of these, Ease is the most popular after Triple Strength.
So what is the different between these two versions of the same supplement?
In short, Osteo Bi-Flex Ease has fewer ingrediens than Triple Strength, and instead of Glucosamine, it uses Collagen. Those of you who have read our full Osteo Bi-Flex review above will know that this is not a good substitute to make! There are no good human studies showing that subjects joint health improved aftr using Collagen supplements. It simply isn’t well absorbed by the human body; instead, you need to mak your own from things like MSM and Glucosamine!
By contrast, Glucosamine is effective; clinical studies repeatedly show that subjects’ joint health improved within 28 days usin a good Glucosamine supplement.
We still get some 5-LOXIN Advanced in Ease, but Triple Strength is clearly the better joint supplement, and better value for money.
Osteo Bi-Flex Side Effects: Is it safe?
Is Osteo Bi-Flex safe? Will it cause side effects?
The answer is “probably not”.
We believe Osteo Bi-Flex is highly unlikely to cause side effects in the vast majority of users.
The ingredients have all been tested in robust clinical trials, on human subjects, and have been found to be safe for regular consumption. None of the clinical trials we have read reported serious adverse effects or health risks.
What’s more, the ingredients in Osteo Bi-Flex are all commonly used in joint supplements (for better or worse). Joint supplements, especially the best joint supplements, are not known to cause serious side effects.
That said, all of this comes with the massive caveat that we do not know the individual ingredient dosages for Osteo Bi-Flex.
The Glucosamine dosage is also absolutely huge; much bigger than the standard 300-500mg doses found in most good joint supplements.
As such, side effects are always a potential risk. If you experience any side effects whatsoever while using Osteo Bi-Flex, stop using it and seek medical attention immediately.
Osteo Bi-Flex Review Conslusion: Should you buy this joint supplement?
Should you buy Osteo Bi-Flex? Is it worth the money?
Sadly, we think the answer to that question is a resounding “no”.
Osteo Bi-Flex is far from the best joint supplement on the market today, and it represents quite poor value for money despite containing a few good ingredients.
The large proprietary blend is the main red flag here; supplement manufacturers only do this when they’re stuffing their formula full of cheap filler ingredients to cut costs. Notice how the best joint supplements never use proprietary blends and they still sell millions of dollars worth of product.
There are useless fillers in Osteo Bi-Flex. Neither collagen nor hyaluronic acid have any effect on joint health whatsoever when consumed orally.
The glucosamine dosage is very generous, but there’s no evidence that more than 500mg daily brings any added benefit.
So all things considered, Osteo Bi-Flex looks like an extremely over-priced and under-powered joint supplement to us.
If you want maximum bang for your buck, we recommend looking elsewhere. Better supplemens are out there for improving joint comfort, flexibilit, and mobility.
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Johan Theorin is an author, editor, and competitive cyclist. He is the author of most of the content on this website, and he is the site editor. Johan has spent years researching joint health, sports performance and recovery. He is a leading biohacking expert and an experienced physiotherapist.
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