Origin: A natural vegetable extract made from avocado and soybean oils. Dosage: Softgel; take 300 mg daily.
Claims: Slows the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).
What we know: Experts think ASU slows the production of some inflammatory chemicals the body makes. By doing so, ASU may help prevent the breakdown of cartilage.
Studies: In 2002, the Cochrane Review, an independent health organization based in Oxford, England, examined herbal therapies for OA and found conclusive evidence concerning ASU. Specifically, a 2003 study published in the Journal of Rheumatology reported ASU inhibited the breakdown of cartilage and promoted repair.
The French government has tracked ASU’s safety record for more than 15 years and has yet to find any significant problems.
The Scientific Evidence for ASU
From the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2001 "The evidence for ASU in the treatment of osteoarthritis is convincing. No serious side effects were reported"
From the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2007 "Based on the available evidence, patients may be recommended to give ASU a chance for three months"
From the journal Rheumatology, 2003 "These results suggest ASU could have structure-modifying effects in osteoarthritis by inhibiting cartilage degradation and promoting cartilage repair"
From the journal Ugeskr Laeger, 2005 (Danish) "Four randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have been published. These studies indicate ASU has an effect on the symptoms of knee and hip arthritis"
From the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2002 "ASU demonstrates significantly reduced progression of joint space as compared with placebo in the subgroup of patients with advanced space narrowing. The results suggest ASU could have a structural effect"