A profound change in the population’s average age has marked the twenty-first century. The significant increase in life expectancy has led to a rise in the incidence of the number of elderly subjects.
In this regard, the United Nations predicts that by 2050 the world population will count more than 9.7 billion individuals, of which 2.1 billion will have already reached the age of sixty.
A direct consequence of this phenomenon is the increased incidence of chronic diseases affecting older age groups. Biofarma Group is fully aware of this, dedicating part of its offer – and therefore of the activity conducted by its research and development laboratories. For the issue of “aging well,” or rather the development of a series of nutraceutical solutions to support “senior” subjects, the struggle against some of the primary diseases that afflict them. Among these, osteoporosis is an increasingly emerging disease that strains the health and living conditions of those suffering from it.
Despite its wide diffusion, people still have little awareness about this bone disease; therefore, it is necessary to describe osteoporosis precisely and provide some data on this subject. It is a disease affecting the skeletal system, characterized by a low mineral density and the deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in its fragility.
Our skeleton is an active living tissue: its size and the amount of bone it contains change significantly throughout life. Peak bone mass is reached in both males and females around the age of 25. Subsequently, with old age, for men, there is a gradual decline, while for women, this process of bone loss speeds up after menopause.
The causes of osteoporosis can be different: some of these are not modifiable, such as familiarity, while others can be avoided or limited in their effects. The main non-modifiable risk factors are represented by age and gender: in the United States, among the 10.2 million adults with osteoporosis, more than 80% are women. In addition, as already indicated, there is a clear correlation between the prevalence of osteoporosis and increasing age. In addition to these possible causes, an underweight condition, early menopause, or the use of certain medications can increase the chances of developing the disease. Finally, an incorrect lifestyle regarding physical activity and nutrition is an essential risk factor. Specifically, the critical elements of a healthy diet for bone health are calcium, vitamin D, protein, zinc, and potassium. Studies have observed the benefits of supplementing calcium and vitamin D, especially in people with a high chance of insufficiency and those undergoing osteoporosis treatment.
The symptoms of this pathology may be different, but they are perceived only later. In the early stages, the disease does not show signals. In contrast, back pain, progressive height lowering, curved posture, and fractures of vertebrae, femur, wrist, or other body bones may occur in an advanced stage.
Osteoporosis is a widespread condition: among the population over-50s, one in three women and one in five men are destined to suffer from a fragility fracture. It was estimated that in 1990 there were 1.3 million femoral fractures worldwide, and the prevalence of those with a femur fracture living with disabilities was approximately 4.5 million. Subsequent estimates indicated that by 2010 the global incidence of femoral fractures increased to 2.7 million cases per year. The most recent estimate of the prevalence of any fragility fracture, defined as the number of people with disabilities, dates back to 2000 and counted 56 million cases worldwide.
From the data just reported, it emerges that it is a disease in continuous increase, making more evident than ever the urgency of an intervention to support those who suffer from it. Based on this evidence and studies in this regard in the literature, Biofarma Group has worked to create nutraceutical formulations to prevent and counteract the consequences of the disease by creating two innovative products: T-win Osteoporosis and Hemp Osteo Aid.
The data on osteoporosis are clear: the disease affects women more and manifests itself mainly with the achievement of menopause.
Starting from this awareness, the research and development laboratories of Biofarma Group have created T-win Osteoporosis. This formulation bases its effectiveness on the synergistic effect of the most crucial bone health components: calcium, vitamin D, and K.
Integrating these elements to counteract osteoporosis is increasingly a management strategy for the first-line disease, which can include both its single intake and consumption to support other therapies.
Studies have demonstrated that the combination of calcium and vitamin D in osteoporosis is associated with significant improvements in musculoskeletal function. For example, the strength of the knee flexing and stretching muscles and the grip strength in older women, after only three months of intake, reduced falling risks by 49%. It has also been observed that combining the elements can minimize body oscillation by about 9%, one of the main risk factors for falling.
Some large-scale clinical trials have also found positive effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on fractures. For example, a study of older women with severe impairments of these components found an association between their supplementation and a reduced risk of hip fractures and all non-vertebral fractures of 43% and 32%, respectively.
Finally, similar results have been found from observing the benefits of vitamin K supplementation. Numerous studies have shown that a low intake of vitamin K in the diet is associated with a low bone mineral density or an increased possibility of fractures.
Thanks to the T-win technology, it was, therefore, possible to create an effervescent solution that, through the joint action of its active ingredients, can support menopausal women by counteracting tiredness and fatigue and maintaining the health of bones and muscles to alleviate the effects of osteoporosis.
As already pointed out, osteoporosis is one of the primary diseases affecting the elderly. While women represent the prevalence of patients with the disease, men are also affected and have to face symptoms and consequences that result from it. This is why Biofarma Group has also developed a formulation for all adults, which can act on prevention by promoting social well-being and contrasting the degeneration of bone tissue: we are talking about Hemp Osteo Aid.
The essential benefits of the innovative formula are attributed to the numerous components that play a decisive role in preventing the disease. Along with calcium and vitamins D and K, the benefits outlined above, nutraceutical exploits the effects of bromelain, glucosamine, ExceptionHYAL® Jump, and cannabis Sativa oil.
Bromelain, an extract of the pineapple plant, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that have been the subject of numerous clinical studies conducted in recent years. Specifically, a series of trials, which observed the effects on the knee joints, showed effectiveness comparable to the standard treatments usually applied for the well-being of this joint.
Glucosamine is a natural substance in the human body and is formed by the combination of glucose and glutamine. It is mainly found in cartilage and plays a vital role in its health and endurance. The impacts of its integration have been observed in numerous clinical trials. One conducted on a sample of individuals who regularly suffered from knee pain from previous cartilage injuries and/or osteoarthritis demonstrated its ability to provide some degree of pain relief and improve joint function.
ExceptionHYAL® Jump is instead a biotechnological ingredient able to inhibit inflammatory processes and improve the lubrication and fluidity of the joints through the induction of hyaluronic acid synthesis. These functions were tested and confirmed first through in vitro tests and then through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on 60 subjects with knee osteoarthritis.
Finally, the formulation presents an innovative use of oil derived from cannabis Sativa, which is important as it can contribute to the joints’ normal functioning. In addition, hemp oil has a perfect balance between omega 3 and omega 6. Thanks to the contribution of these active ingredients, it is used to treat skin disorders, painful diseases, and inflammatory processes.
Hemp Osteo Aid, therefore, presents itself as a cutting-edge nutraceutical product that uses the galenic form of the single-layer tablet: a daily ally for the prevention of bone tissue deterioration and, therefore, for the prevention of osteoporosis.
Edited by:
Antonella Venuti: R&D Manager
Valentina Milite: R&D Food Supplement
C. Cooper, S. Ferrari, “Compendio IOF sull’osteoporosi”, International Osteoporosis Foundation, 2017.
S. Boonen, D. Vanderschueren, P. Haentjens, P. Lips, “Calcium and vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis – a clinical update”, Journal of Internal Medicine 2006.
S. Brien, G. Lewith, A. Walker, Stephen M. Hicks, D. Middleton, “Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Studies”, Oxford University Press, 2004.
R.J. Miller, R.E. Miller, “Is cannabis an effective treatment for joint pain?”, Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, 2017.
R Braham, B Dawson, C Goodman, “The effect of glucosamine supplementation on people experiencing regular knee pain”, Br J Sports Med, 2003.
S. Bugel, “Vitamin K and Bone Health”, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2003.
