Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU)
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 concluded ASU had convincing evidence. 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.
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