GRAND FLEX – OFTEN COPIED, NEVER DUPLICATED
Since Grand Flex’s original joint support glucosamine formula was developed in 1994, many companies have tried to copy Grand Flex’s unique formula. In the first review of many to follow in one of the most respected equine consumer publications in the US, Michael Plumb’s Equine Journal, in 1997, Grand Flex was recommended as the best choice for glucosamine level and inclusion of a number of important co-factors – “Grand Flex, also contains vitamin C and bioflavonoids, niacinamide and all the minerals and amino acids that we consider essential for joint and connective tissue health. Excellent clinical response was observed with this product” . After several new glucosamine products hit the market, several of these products copied the Grand Flex formula with “token” cofactors; added more as a “front” in our opinion than with any plan to facilitate absorption or health benefits.
From this first positive review of Grand Flex in 1997 to 2008, the Michael Plumb Horse Journal has continued to give Grand Flex the highest rating for the best recommended joint support formula with long-term joint health benefits.
GLUCOSAMINE HSL VS. GLUCOSAMINE SULPHATE: GRAND MEADOWS ‘POINT OF VIEW
There is a never-ending debate about the difference between glucosamine HCL and glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine sulfate was used for the initial clinical review and is a combination of sulfur salts: 40% sulfur and 60% glucosamine. Glucosamine HCL is a new purified version containing 98% pure active glucosamine. Sulfur is a vital part of the synergistic approach to joint support and inclusion of sulfur in a more bioavailable form.
such as methionine and / or MSM are much more effective and efficient sources of elemental sulfur.
CHONDROITIN SULPHATE
While glucosamine is clearly the leading ingredient on the market when it comes to joint supplements, chondroitin sulfate has long been considered the other half of the formula needed for effective joint products. Chondroitin is a component of cartilage, which provides structure, retains water and nutrients, and allows other molecules to move through the cartilage, an important property, since there is no blood supply to the cartilage. There is no question of the function of this ingredient when it occurs naturally in the body. Several glucosamine products promote the inclusion of chondroitin sulfate, which is derived from a compound of bovine origin, as a necessary and beneficial addition to glucosamine. Such claims are misleading. Numerous important scientific tests have been conducted over the past few years conclusively showing that chondroitin, as a supplement taken by mouth, is poorly absorbed. The absorption rate results for chondroitin sulfate are extremely low due to its very large molecular structure (about 250 times the size of a glucosamine molecule). There have been several important studies to support this theory; The New England Medical Journal has concluded that the oral absorption of chondroitin is less than 12%. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine states that “… intact chondroitin sulfate absorption is estimated to range from zero to thirteen percent.” Dr Ian Wright, a leading UK veterinary orthopedic surgeon, wrote in (Horse and Hounds) “… horses can be fed supplements containing chondroitin sulfate at the recommended dose … it will not be absorbed neither”. Surprisingly, the vast majority of manufacturers continue to add it to their products.
CHONDROITIN SULPHATE: GRAND MEADOWS ‘VIEWPOINT
Due to a significant level of research showing poor absorption, we have chosen not to use chondroitin sulfate as a standalone ingredient in any of our products due to its large molecular size, which in our opinion (supported by extensive research) compromises its ability to be absorbed efficiently. The health benefits of chondroitin sulfate cannot be effectively achieved when administered as an oral ingredient. However, we use depolymerized chondroitin sulfate which is an integral part of the raw material in our BioCell Collagen II ™. This ingredient, along with the hyaluronic acid and type II collagen in this proprietary triple ingredient, has undergone a manufacturing process that results in a highly bioavailable matrix of ingredients that has been reduced to 1/90 of its original size.
