In This Article
Do You Look Forward to Your Old Age?
Sadly, aging has become nearly synonymous with a handful of medical concerns, rather than with ripening healthily into greater wisdom and experience.
What if these age-related concerns all had a common denominator, something that, if nipped in the bud, would lower your risk of not just one, but most of the problems that plague us as we approach old age? Certainly such a discovery would change our understanding and experience of aging.
New research shows that such common denominators do exist! One example is a single lethal enzyme linked with seven of the 10 leading causes of death in America. This enzyme is associated with diseases that cause more than 1.5 million deaths a year in the US.1
New research shows an herb used in Ayurveda for thousands of years has been found to inhibit these very factors and offer powerful support against age-related concerns. Read on to learn more about how this herb, used for joint support for thousands of years, is now the focus of cutting-edge research.
5-LOX: The Aging Enzyme
The enzyme mentioned above is called 5-lipoxygenase or 5-LOX. This enzyme is responsible for an inflammatory response that plays an important role in heart disease, cancer, arthritis, chronic respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, influenza, pneumonia, and kidney diseases.2
What is the cause of 5-LOX? It may be the typical American diet. Foods such as red meat, duck, poultry, eggs, and dairy, along with high-glycemic carbohydrates, are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which convert to arachidonic acid.
According to experts, the optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids is at least 4:1. Sadly, the standard American diet can be as much as 25x higher in omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3s. In response to high levels of arachidonic acid, the body produces the 5-LOX enzyme.
In certain quantities, arachidonic acid is essential and beneficial. It helps build cell membranes, regulates and mediates inflammation, fights infections, supports skin health, and helps with blood clotting. The problem comes when arachidonic-producing foods are eaten in excess. This stimulates overproduction of the aging enzyme 5-LOX, resulting in production of proinflammatory molecules called leukotrienes.3
We recommend "Breast Health and Vitamin D": https://lifespa.com/ayurvedic-breast-health-vitamin-d/
Diseases Linked to Leukotrienes
- cardiovascular disease4
- cancer5
- arthritis6
- asthma7
- COPD8
- Alzheimer’s9
- inflammatory bowel disease10
- osteoporosis11
While dietary changes may reduce production of 5-LOX and help harness its damaging inflammatory effect, it is challenging for many Americans to stick with these changes long enough to make a significant impact.
Boswellia: Joint Health and Far Beyond
Fortunately, a fragrant resin called boswellia (Boswellia serrata) or Indian frankincense, used for thousands of years in Ayurveda for joint, muscle, and gut health, has demonstrated inhibitive properties against the 5-LOX enzyme.
Boswellia is rich in boswellic acids. One of these acids, called AKBA (3-acetyl-11-keto-betaboswellic acid), was shown to bind directly to 5-LOX, which suggests protection from leukotriene production.12
Animal studies confirm that boswellic acids play a powerful role in healthy joint and muscle function.13 But the impact of inhibiting 5-LOX goes far beyond supporting joint health. Excess leukotrienes converted from 5-LOX negatively impact many organ systems, creating far-reaching effects on overall health.
Benefits of Boswellia Extracts
Boswellic acids have been found to support health of joints, muscles, colon, and lungs.12,13
Cardiovascular Support
- Boswellia has powerful antioxidant properties.14
- Boswellia extracts support healthy levels of good and bad cholesterol.15
- Boswellia exerts a beneficial gene-modulating effect on 113 genes involved in blood vessels and circulation.16,17
Brain Health
- Boswellic extracts stimulate brain receptors, called TRPV3, which support healthy mood.18
- A constituent of boswellia, called incensole acetate, has been shown to support cells in the hippocampus responsible for memory and learning.19
Cell Replication
- Boswellic acid (AKBA) operates by many different mechanisms to support healthy cell replication.20,21
Protection + Prevention
It has long been known that the degenerative metabolites of 5-LOX and leukotrienes have a devastating effect on the body. This, along with newer research, helps explain in part why other 5-LOX inhibitors, like turmeric and fish oils, have been shown to be so profoundly beneficial.
Boswellia appears to be an even more potent 5-LOX inhibitor and should be considered, along with dietary changes, as a part of your regimen for healthy aging.
How are you planning to age gracefully?
It’s a very interesting information, thank you very much for sharing it.
How much time may be boswellia extract taken orally – 3-4 months or it could be taken on a daily basis for infinite period of time?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Emil. Thanks for the question. Boswellia can be taken daily for a indefinite amount of time. For more information on prescriptions research the consults we offer: https://lifespa.com/about-lifespa/ayurvedic-clinic/ Be well.
HI, I am 50 years old. How much dosage how I have to take per day? There are so many varieties of boswellia extract, and which one I have to buy?
Best,
Angie
Hi Angie. The suggested use is to take 1 capsule 3 times per day after meals. For specific prescriptions you may enjoy researching the consultations we offer at the clinic: https://lifespa.com/about-lifespa/ayurvedic-clinic/
I’ve been taking it for months. Great product
Can you use Boswellelia as aroma therapy with the same benefits?
Hi Alex,
Aromatherapy releases different aspects of the plant and would not offer the same benefits as consuming the plant in supplement form.
Best,
LifeSpa Staff
Greetings, do Boswellia sacra or carterii work as well?
I have a story about Boswellia sacra. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors tried repeatedly to get me in for surgery ASAP. For 4 or 5 months I was treating it myself with natural foods and supplements. One of the things I used was Boswellia sacra orally. After 5 months I decided to have the recommended surgery mostly because I could not stop thinking about it every day. Well the surgery went fine and the big surprise was that is had shrunk so much it would not have even been visible on a mamogram. Of course I cannot say with certainty of all the thing I did whether all combined they caused it to shrink or one particular thing, but the Boswellia was recommended as a cure for cancer.
Hi Patricia,
I am sure most of the frankincense family of herbs have their own unique properties. I would suggest searching pubmed for studies on sacra and carterii to get the details.
Thanks,
John
Dear Patricia Knight – Wow – CONGRATS and Continued good health.
PLEASE tell me What Stage you had ??
You may want to read some books that speak about WHY in the heck you had such an “environment, or biological terrain”, to even have Cancer take hold.
I read this book, as my elderly father has prostate cancer, stage 4.
‘THE METABOLIC APPROACH to CANCER”, DR. NASHA WINTERS, ND,…
I wouldn’t take all the advise at face value… you’ve got to read so many different books to gain enough info. to make an educated guess what may be correct ‘enough’. I’d recommend the site: ChrisBeatCancer.com; The Truth about Cancer.com
Lastly, Fenbendazole, an anti-parasitic drug that cured a Merck Scientist of some sort of Brain Cancer, …”glioblastoma..??”. It was wrapped around her brain stem, she was NED No Evidence of Disease after something crazy – 3 months, 12 weeks. There is a SCIENTIFIC PAPER on Fenbendazole too, giving it legitimacy, out of INDIA. If I find the link will add later.
Can you provide what supplements you mentioned that you took, please??
Re: Fenbendazole; it has been a substance known to scientist for 40 years! It blocks 3 different CANCER PATHWAYS. The BEST person who was cured from Several metastases is a Mr. Joe Tippens, given 3 months to live. It was his very good friend a Vetrinarian who tipped him off about Fenbendazole.
Joe Tippens has an entire site, FACEBOOK, because of his interviews so many are asking him questions. He reveals that in CHINA some 40,000 patients are on a Protocol of Fenbendazole, which pharma has other names, …”membendazole”…? Joes’ site is Mycancerstory.rocks WATCH this YT video 1st https://youtu.be/fCOODjrJhRQ I am so generous with my reply to you, because YOUR Testamony is So Powerful. Bless you for sharing, as I need all the Help in the world going up against my adult siblings to get my poor 87 yr old father OFF of CHEMO and try BOSWELLIA SACRA. I will be laughed at, unless I can find some STudies and proof. Best wishes to you! 🍀🌈🎈
Hi,
Love this article.
I was wondering if Boswellia is safe to take for a kidney transplant recipient?
Thank you,
Hello Aila,
We would recommend consulting with your physician first.
Best,
LifeSpa Staff
Dr. John,
I’m taking so many healthy supplements, right now, that’s it’s not funny. I’m 57 and don’t feel like a spring chicken, anymore. I don’t feel crappy, but I’m slowing down. I don’t like it. All these different supplements, not just yours, have a great sales pitch to them. I look them up and read about them and say to myself, “Oh yeah, I need that.” I eat about 90% healthy and 10% junk, so I get a lot of greens and pickled foods, etc. Isn’t there one or two kitchen sink supplements that can be taken instead of 10 holistic supplements a day? I would rather spend more on a great kitchen sink supplement and save time and counter space than buying all of these different supplements. Thank you.
Hi Tina,
It may be best for you to schedule a consult, as our supplements all have different purposes it would be hard to pick a few without knowing your background.
Best,
LifeSpa Staff
what age would you recommend that we start taking it? Most women in my maternal and paternal families have joint issues and I would like to proactively avoid that. I am 39 now. Should I start that?
Hi Nickky,
It is never too early to be making proactive choices for your health!If you have specific questions please give us a call.
Best,
LifeSpa Staff
Can you please tell me if ingesting the essential oil is safe and if so, does it provide the same benefit? Thank you.
Hi Bonnie,
Only if essential oil you are using says it is safe to ingest. Most are not, so please read the labels.
Best,
LifeSpa Staff