Our purpose is not to hinder the physiological processes of the organism. Ours is a holistic approach. An approach that encourages the ristoring of the physical balance, by facing the causes as efficiently as possible and by ensuring a fast relief of all the symptoms.
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Osteo-articular problems
Osteo-articular and muscular problems, characterised by more or less intense pain, rigidity and difficulty of movement, represent the most frequent reason for patients consulting their family doctor. In fact, about 30 – 40% of complaints regard acute pain, mostly involving the back, neck, shoulders, and can be the consequence of a trauma or muscle fatigue (often related to a sports or work activity or resulting from bad posture).
It is estimated that 5,5 million people in Italy are affected by chronic-developing osteo-articular and/or muscular diseases. In both cases a high tendency to use anti-inflammatory synthetic medicines has been recorded, involving heavy consequences for patients’ health: the longer the period of intake, the more disastrous the negative impact. Here follows a brief overview of the most common muscular and osteo-articular pathologies.
| PROBLEMS | THE MOST COMMON | SYMPTOMS | DURATION |
| MUSCLES, LIMBS, TENDINS |
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Normally short to medium course of illness. Once the acute phase has been overcome, chronicity can arise if causes and predisposing factors are eliminated. |
| OSTEO-ARTICULAR PROBLEMS |
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Normally long course of illness. In most cases, these pathologies lead to chronicity and functional alternations. |
Among the painful pathologies affecting the musculoskeletal system, characterized by persistent, invalidating pain: lumbar and sciatic pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, extremely painful disorders due to inflammation of the nerves (sciatic nerve and median nerve, respectively).
Lumbosciatica is a problem affecting the musculo-skeletal apparatus, originating from an inflammation of the sciatic nerve; in fact, it is commonly referred to as “sciatica”. This inflammation is due to a compression of the nerve following sprains and contractures of paravertebral muscles, hernias and crushed intervertebral disc, infections, inflammations of the bones or the often neglected piriformis syndrome (the piriformis muscle is crossed by the sciatic nerve).
Other causes generating this inflammation can be incorrect posture, sedentariness or prolonged standing position and lack of physical activity, stress and pregnancy. This problem, which is very widespread among the population (4 people out of 5 have been affected at least once in their lives), mostly affecting workers. The typical symptom of this inflammation is excruciating, very unpleasant pain perceived at the level of the lumbar region and of the hip.
However, should the compression also affect nerve roots protruding from the spine and innervating the lower limbs, pain originating at lumbosacral level can extend to the buttocks and to the whole leg, down to part of the feet. This can be limited to one leg only or involve them both. This is because the sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body, extending from the back to the lower limbs along a postero-lateral axis.
Pain experienced, accompanied by general numbness and weakness, delayed reflexed and reduced sensitivity in the lower limbs, can appear either suddenly or gradually and be persistent or intermittent; it can furthermore last for little time or for extended periods of time, becoming chronic. The acute phase (2/3 days from the onset) of this problem almost compulsorily forces the patient to avoid any movement due to intense pain. In the chronic form, lumbosciatalgia modifies and slows down movements and posture in a significant way, at times even preventing some movements, making them difficult to perform and very painful for the lumbar region of the back – even very simple actions such as getting up and sitting down.
Treatment of lumbosciatalgia with conventional medicine
To ease pain, discomfort and inflammation affecting the lumbar region of the back and often involving the lower limbs, as well – i.e. the typical symptoms of lumbosciatalgia, traditional medicine resorts to anti-inflammatory medicines administered in the form of topical applications (creams, gel, bandages soaked in pharmacological solution), as well as tablets and granulates, up to local injections in the most serious cases. Such anti-inflammatory medicines, though often useful in bringing relief from pain, are, however, responsible for a long series of side-effects, all the more serious according to the length of intake period.
Such side effects are essentially linked to the fact that the anti-inflammatory activity is carried out through a sole active principle which, not being selective, in addition to promoting the primary pharmacological activity (by reducing inflammation and pain), ends up altering several physiological mechanisms, leading to countless secondary activities. Among such medicines it is possible to identify two large families: steroidal anti-inflammatories (cortisone-based medicines) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, better known as NSAIMS (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines).
Among side-effects of cortisone-based medicines, which are very strong anti-inflammatories with immunosuppresant activities: in low dosages, glaucoma, intracranial hypertension, bowel perforation, gastric ulcer, gastric hemorrhage; at medium dosages: myopathy, increased blood pressure, diabetes, cataract; at high dosages, hyperglycemia, water retention, weight gain, growth retardation, osteoporosis, gastric ulcer and reduced immune defenses.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, called NSAIMS, (acetyl salicylic acid, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, nimesulide, etc.), widely recommended in case of sprains, act by inhibiting synthesis of chemical mediators called “prostaglandins”: such action is at the origin of both the pharmacological activity as well as of numerous side-effects.
To comprehend just how this is possible it must be borne in mind that prostaglandins carry out multiple organic functions: there are, in fact, “bad” prostaglandins (though it is not technically correct to call them this way) as they cause the insurgence of inflammation, hyperalgesia, fever; but there are also “good” prostaglandins, carrying out multiple physiological activities: they promote protection of the stomach from gastric juices, they regulate renal blood flow, uterine contractions, platelet activity, etc.
That being said, it is clear that use of so-called NSAIMs, often turning into an “abuse” given their being easy to retrieve, is inevitably connected to several side-effects. Examples thereof are: inhibition of gastric protection, with consequences ranging from simple irritations to lesions, ulcera and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, inhibition of platelet aggregation, renal ischaemia, generic nephropathy and renal failure, etc.
This is why it is important to have available a valid, natural alternative that can soothe painful symptoms related to the problem of lumbosciatalgia without causing any side-effects whatsoever, even when taken for extended periods of time.
Nature can help you in case of lumbosciatalgia.
A natural and effective approach
In order to ease, day by day, typical symptoms of lumbosciatalgia, such as inflammation and excruciating pain thereby avoiding to have to resort to synthetic anti-inflammatory medicines, nature can finally be of valuable help, thanks to an exclusive formulation based on a selection of plant ingredients with markedly anti-inflammatory properties.
First and foremost among these is BIOSTERINE®, a unique and innovative phytocompound, consisting in 80% Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil) extract and 20% Salvia officinalis extract, characterized by an extremely high titration in Rosmarinic Acid (40%), obtained through a particular extraction process developed by Prodeco Pharma.
BIOSTERINE® and lumbosciatalgia
BIOSTERINE® not only combines the recognized, anti-inflammatory properties of phytocomplexes contained in Holy Basil and Salvia Officinalis, but actually amplifies and reinforces them, thanks to the high concentration of Rosmarinic Acid. Numerous studies have, in fact, confirmed the extraordinary properties of Rosmarinic Acid as an anti-inflammatory, investigating its potential mechanisms of action.
Rosmarinic Acid’s ability to inhibit inflammatory processes linked to the “complement system” (part of the immune system involved in the inflammatory process) is well-known; besides this specific mechanism of action, considered to be primarily responsible for the anti-inflammatory action of Rosmarinic Acid, it also acts by regulating cyclooxygenase, modulating the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins (it has been pointed out the Rosmarinic acid contained in Ocimum sanctum exerts a 58% inhibiting action on cyclooxygenase).
The inflammatory efficacy of Ocimum sanctum extracts has turned out to be comparable with that of ibuprofen, of naproxen and of acetylsalicylic acid, yet without any side effects whatsoever: in fact, presence in the phytocomplex of other active constituents enables harmonization and modulation of the inflammatory action, without the typical harmful effects reported on synthetic medicines.
This discovery confirms traditionally used Ocimum sanctum as a safe, reliable and effective anti-inflammatory. The action of rosmarinic acid is also exerted through inhibition of hyaluronidase, an enzyme responsible for the degradation of hyaluronic acid, essential for the integrity of connective tissues, in particular cartilages. These properties in particular confer rosmarinic acid with a protective role of tissues, mostly joint tissues, and combines well with its anti-inflammatory substances.
Due to the above-mentioned considerations, in association with specific plant extracts, BIOSTERINE® therefore represents the cornerstone of
a natural approach to eliminate inflammation and pain, day by day, alleviating typical symptoms connected to the problem of lumbosciatalgia, yet without generating any side-effects.
Nature can help you with…
BIOSTERINE®: as already highlighted, with its powerful health properties as an anti-inflammatory, BIOSTERINE® represents the starting point of our approach. Taken systemically, BIOSTERINE® exerts a marked anti-inflammatory action and reduces phlogosis of tissues affected. Its association with other specific, natural principles, make it possible to reach even more remarkable results.
Boswellia extract possesses recognised anti-inflammatory properties and is particularly effective in painful pathologies affecting the musculo-skeletal apparatus. Its activity is attributable to the presence, in its phytocomplex, of particular compounds called boswellic acids. Numerous clinical studies have confirmed its efficacy, comparable to synthetic medicines, yet without causing any side-effects whatsoever.
The idea of including in the formulation both the dry extract with high titration in boswellic acids (75%) as well as the powder of the whole plant has proven to be a successful one. In fact, this association enables to obtain, on the one hand, adequate supply of the “nobler” forms of active constituents (boswellic acids), ensuring efficacy; on the other it makes it possible to have the entire phytocomplex, for a synergistic and, at the same time, “smoother” effect on the organism, thereby ensuring that the product will be totally free from side-effects, also in the long run.
Turmeric: turmeric is used in phytotherapy for the treatment of several pathologies involving inflammations, including ostheoarthritis. Its anti-inflammatory action is attributable to the presence of particular substances called curcuminoids. Research has pointed out that efficacy of turmeric extract is linked to its activity on several physiological mechanisms involved in the inflammatory process.
Turmeric therefore acts on the inflammation with a 360° mechanism, without causing any side-effect. Some of the fundamental mechanisms involved are as follows:
- a) inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and lipoxygenase enzymes, with a resulting reduced production of prostaglandins and other inflammatory chemical mediators;
- b) inhibition of the release of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines and interleukins;
- c) inhibition of the production of cell adhesion molecules involved in the early phase of the inflammatory cascade;
- d) inhibition of collagen degradation . The idea of including in the formulation both the dry extract, with high titration in curcuminoids (95%), as well as the powder of the entire plant has been a successful one: in fact, this association ensures maximum efficacy and lack of any side-effect whatsoever.
Hyaluronic Acid: its physiological function is to maintain the right level of hydration in the connective tissue. It moreover acts as a cementing substance and as a kind of shock absorbing molecule, as well as being an efficient lubricant (synovial fluid/joints), preventing tissue damage. Its function is therefore fundamental for good health and functionality of skeletal tissue and of the joints.
For this reason, Hyaluronic Acid has been used since it was first discovered to treat joint disorders. Besides the excellent results obtained following its use in intra-articular infiltrations, it has recently been studied to verify its efficacy for oral intake.
Regarding the formulation, Hyaluronic Acid is therefore used in association with Biosterine®, Boswellia and Turmeric, to complete the anti-inflammatory activity of the product. Another activity of Hyaluronic acid has recently been identified, making it particularly useful within the formulation: as a carrier of active molecules to increase bioavailability, once ingested and hydrated, Hyaluronic Acid forms a bioadhesive matrix bringing the active constituents into the solution and promoting their gradual release, saturating the mucosa and increasing contact time between active constituents and the intestinal mucosa itself.
It therefore ensures complete absorption of all constituents present in the phytocomplexes included (Biosterine®, Boswellia e Curcuma), optimizing their bioavailability and enhancing their efficacy.
The ideal form of intake of such plant ingredients is represented by swallowable tablets.
