This innovative supplement could help you beat the heat this summer

As summer beckons, so does the allure of walking and activity holidays. However, for those burdened with joint discomfort, the thought of embarking on such expeditions may seem daunting.

The NHS reports that around 10 million people in the UK have a condition that affects their joints. Most are aged over 40, but people can be affected at any age.

There are 360 joints in the human body, and keeping this complex muscular-skeletal system in smooth working order is no mean feat, especially as we get older.

One of the first signs of discomfort is when a joint feels warmer than the surrounding skin – hot knees for instance. The most common complaints are reported in the hands, knees, wrists, shoulders and hips.

A healthy diet can help. Fruits, dark leafy vegetables and oily fish are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. A healthy body weight also helps to reduce the pressure on the joints.

Some people are also discovering a natural ingredient from India can support their warm or hot joints – Boswellia serrata extract, drawn from the resin of the Indian frankincense tree.

Frankincense has played a role in traditional Ayurvedic, Arab, African and Chinese therapies for thousands of years.

Scientific studies have shown that its key active ingredients – a range of compounds called Boswellic acids – can help to keep joints cool and comfortable*.

But many people in the UK are still unaware this ancient natural extract is even available as a nutritional supplement.

Cool Joints+ contains 250mg of highly absorbable Boswellia serrata extract as well as manganese. 

 It was developed by FutureYou Cambridge, a leading UK health supplement company, known for making innovative products backed by extensive scientific research. The company has now focused its expertise on unlocking the potential of Boswellia serrata extract for joint health.

Retired secondary school teacher, Angela Finch, 72, who lives in Oxfordshire, is one of those people who has found Cool Joints+ ‘to be amazing’.

‘I read about Cool Joints+ and wanted to give it a try as I already knew about the benefits of manganese and how it helps the body form connective tissues and I was interested to learn more about boswellia and how it can help support joints.

‘I really noticed the difference in my hands in particular, which can be quite uncomfortable and stiff.

‘After taking Cool Joints+ I noticed they felt much more relaxed, I feel it really helps keep me moving. I can pinpoint how effective it is as I noticed the difference after about three weeks. I can now enjoy walks with our young Cockapoo, Phoebe, on a regular basis.’

Wembley Campling, from Rhyall in Rutland was also fascinated to hear more about the benefits of boswellia.

‘I hadn’t heard of boswellia until my wife found an online talk about it.

‘I was driving lorries for nearly 40 years, and it took its toll on me in one way or another, especially on my joints.

‘I had to retire at 63 because I couldn’t stand it any longer. It eased off – but it came back to bite me. I was willing to try anything.’

After finding out about boswellia, Wembley tried Cool Joints+ to see if it might make a difference.

‘It’s been a revelation, to be quite honest,’ says Wembley, after taking the supplement for two months.

‘We live in a little village about two miles from town and now I often walk there and back. But I couldn’t have done that two or three months ago because my joints would get too hot. Definitely not. I can hardly believe it.

‘Over the years, I’ve tried no end of things. But nothing’s ever done anything like this. I’ve got nothing but praise for it.’

For Wembley, the effect has also had a significant impact on his overall wellbeing and quality of life.

‘It’s definitely had an effect on my mood. When it was bad, all that was on my mind was: ‘Can I do anything?’ It’s made a vast difference to my life. I’m just feeling happier in general.

‘Anything that does me good like that, I’ll tell anybody, and I hope they get the benefit I get. If I see anyone who’s got similar trouble, I tell them about Cool Joints+.’

‘Not that many people know about boswellia,’ says Dr Miriam Ferrer PhD, the head of product development at FutureYou Cambridge.

‘Boswellia works on its own or as a complement to other supplements such as turmeric. The active ingredients work very differently but can offer mutual support for joint health.

‘The biggest challenge in creating a boswellia supplement is that it’s hard for our bodies to absorb the active ingredients,’ she says. ‘Just getting these active molecules into the bloodstream so they can be effective is the major first step.’

FutureYou Cambridge overcame this problem by using a formulation with ‘phytosome technology’, a molecule similar to liposomes, which combines the extract with sunflower lecithin phospholipids.

‘This increases their absorption by up to four times more than standard Boswellia serrata extracts,’ says Dr Ferrer. ‘They can also get absorbed 1.5 to 2 hours faster.’

Cool Joints+ includes the full bouquet of active boswellic acids, which work together to produce an optimal effect. The vegan-friendly formulation is also supported by more than five scientific studies on its effectiveness.

‘I really appreciated the fact that Cool Joints+ is backed by published studies and FutureYou Cambridge’s scientific credentials, so thought I’d give it a try,’ says Nicola Gifford, aged 77, from West Yorkshire.

Nicola worked as a nurse for 13 years and then as a medical representative. She currently works as a part-time receptionist for a friend’s property company.

‘I used to love to walk my eight-year-old long-haired German shepherd, Luca, but more recently, after about 10 minutes, it became too uncomfortable.

‘I read about Cool Joints+ and as I knew something about the benefits of boswellia, I thought I may as well give it a try.

‘It really did help me.

‘After the second box I went from only being able to walk for 10 minutes a day to being able to walk like I used to, for over an hour. It’s fantastic for me and great for Luca too!’

Similarly 72-year-old Linda Cosgrove found that Cool Joints+ helped her during a long period of discomfort.

‘It used to wake me up at night,’ says Linda, a retired NHS GP practice manager.

‘My Indian friend suggested I look into which herbs and spices are good for you. I was reading about Ayurveda and came across boswellia, which I hadn’t heard of before. And Cool Joints+ did make a difference. It took the edge off the discomfort.’

Adam Cleevely, Chair of FutureYou Cambridge, says: ‘We’ve focused much of our time, energy and expertise on developing support for people’s joint health, and it’s great to hear the stories of Angela, Wembley, Nicola and Linda discovering the untapped potential of boswellia. As summer approaches we hope that we can help more people enjoy their outdoor activities.

‘Too many people suffer in silence with hot joints. We’re confident enough in the quality and effectiveness of our Cool Joints+ formulation that we’re happy to let you try it for four weeks, for free. All you have to pay is the £1.50 postage. ‘Some people begin to notice the benefits between four to eight weeks, but many report it takes longer, as everyone is different.’

*Cool Joints+ contains Boswellia serrata RESIN which helps to keep joints cool and comfortable [on hold claim ID:4000]