Nu-Flex™ 
with Collagen & Ester-C

Features & Benefits

• Chondroitin Sulfate–A natural body lubricant
• Hydrolysed Collagen–Cartilage protection
• Pharmaceutical Purity–Highest available quality for safety and effectiveness
• Complete Antioxidant Package– Ester-C®, Vitamin E, and Beta-Carotene to prevent free radical cell damage
• Yucca–Natural ingredient
• Palatable–Easy to feed

It is a scientifically formulated nutritional supplement designed to minimize cartilage damage, strengthen the skeletal system, improve flexibility, relieve aches and pains associated with stiffness and swelling, and delay cell damage. Nu-Flex™ is a balanced blend of natural body lubricants (Chondroitin Sulfates), cartilage protector (Hydrolysed Collagen), pain reliever (Yucca) and powerful antioxidant vitamins (Vitamins C, E, and Beta-Carotene) in a safe (non-drug), palatable, and affordable complete supplement.

Chondroitin sulfate, (sometimes called glycosaminoglycans or mucopolysaccharides) interact with the building blocks of connective tissue. They maintain the normal function and structural integrity of joints and other tissues, resulting in the elastic gel nature of connective tissue. Unfortunately, these building blocks are difficult for the horse to produce internally from basic food sources. Studies have shown that chondroitin sulfate exerts potent anti-inflammatory action on connective tissue diseases and have a powerful capacity to regulate immune response1. It does this by stimulating the secretion of synovial fluid, increasing its viscosity and reducing damaging protein levels in the blood. Most importantly, recent research has found substantiating evidence that chondroitin sulfate is absorbed through the intestines and up to 40% can be absorbed into the bloodstream2. Furthermore, chondroitin sulfate is absorbed in a way that does not alter its chemical blueprint. Supplementation may be beneficial to the horse in many ways. Osteoarthritis (more commonly referred to as degenerative joint disease in the horse) and the continual healing of strains and sprains of the performance horse is helped by supplementation. Other health benefits for the performance horse include: 1) a lipid clearing of the blood; 2) stimulation of cellular metabolism; 3) increased fatty acid metabolism; 4) Increased RNA and DNA synthesis of cells, and increased growth, size, and quantity of cell; and 5) accelerated healing, regenerating, and repair of tissue death and progressive degeneration cardiovascular tissue in heart disease3. Nu-Flex™ contains the highest purity chondroitin sulfate available to insure the best absorption, quality and safety.

Hydrolysed collagen is a protein that accounts for about a third of the total protein in the body and most importantly, is the major structural constituent in articular cartilage. In the cartilage matrix it provides structural form and strength and promotes a smooth flexible surface on which the joint moves. It is a protein that contains a high proportion of hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine, arginine, and L-glycine. These amino acids are the principal substances for the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans in cartilage tissue4. In field trials, supplementation of hydrolysed collagen was shown to decrease pain and provide better mobility for knee joint disease in humans5. One recent human trial showed both absorption and increase in the re-building of articular cartilage by radioactively labeled hydrolysed collagen6. Nu-Flex™ uses only the highest-quality Type II hydrolysed collagen.

While oxygen is absolutely essential to life, it can also be harmful. For example, both through normal body processes and external sources, such as the air breathed, the horse is exposed to highly-reactive, oxygen-containing chemicals called “free radicals.” These free radicals can damage equine cells and tissues. While we cannot readily see what is happening in our horse’s body, every day examples of oxidative, free-radical damage can be seen through the rusting of metal and the rapid browning of a cut apple. Antioxidant Vitamins C, E, and Beta-Carotene can help curb these damaging oxidative reactions. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and other reactive chemicals and help protect the body’s cells. Free radicals directly attack and degrade cartilage components. One study showed calcium ascorbate (Ester-C®) in Nu-Flex™ can actually reverse damaging osteoarthritis7. This free radical threat to the skeletal system of the horse indicates that antioxidants may prevent or reverse formation of arthritic symptoms. Unfortunately, most hays and grains lose most of the antioxidants when harvested and processed. Select Nu-Flex™ contains a potent combination of these antioxidants in their most readily available form to insure sufficient cell protection.

Yucca is the common name for 40 species of herbaceous plants of the genus yucca, native to the Southwest U.S. and Central America. The active ingredient in yucca is “Saponin,” which is a group of basic sugars. Saponins have been a tremendous economic mainstay to the pharmaceutical industry for 50 years. Yucca is nontoxic and is supplied in a pure standardized extract form.

Sources
1.) Ishikawa, K., Kitagawa, T.Tanaka, T., Tereama, K., Kurina, N., Iwata, H., Niwa, S., Sakurai M, Clinical Evaluation of Glycosaminoglycans Polysulphate for Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint: A Multicentric Double Blind Controlled Study. Z Orthop, 1982; 120: 708-716
2.) Videla Dorna I. DVM and R.C. Guerro DVM, Effects of Oral and Intramuscular Use of Chondroitin Sulfate in Induced Equine Aseptic Arthritis. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, pgs. 14-18, Supplement 1: March 1, 1999
3.) Bucci, Luke R., PhD, CCN, C(ASCP), Chondroprotective Agents: Glucosamine Salts and Chondroitin Sulfates. Townsend Letter for Doctors, January 1994
4.) Bauer. Nutritional Therapy of St. Hildegard 3rd Edition. Freidburg, Germany. GDC 1986-German Drug Codex-first amendment 1989
5.) Goetz. Chondropathia Patellae. Orthopaedic speciality clinic 1982 Schwartz, Germany. Arztliche Praxis. 92: 3130-3143
6.) Seeligmuller, Bonn & Happel. Help and Support for Cartilage. 1993 Bonn, Germany. Therapiewoche 43, 36 1810-1813
7.) Vetilangieri, Anthony J., Ester-C Research Summary. Inter-Cal Corp., Prescott AZ, 1987-1991

Select Nu-Flex™ is a nutraceutical supplement for horses containing Chondroitin Sulfate, Hydrolysed Collagen, Yucca, and an Antioxidant Package with Ester-C®.

Directions:
Feed 2 scoops daily (1 scoop = 1 oz, scoop enclosed) per head per day for 26 days, then a maintenance dose of 1 scoop per day.

DO NOT FEED TO CATTLE OR OTHER RUMINANTS.
DO NOT ADMINISTER TO HORSES INTENDED FOR USE AS FOOD.

Ingredients: Ground extruded whole soybeans, Yucca schidigera extract, Chondroitin sulfate, Hydrolysed collagen, Calcium ascorbate, dl-Alpha-tocopheryl acetate, Beta-carotene, and Tertiary butyl hydroquinone (used to preserve freshness)

Ester-C® “Manufactured under U.S. Patent No. 4,822,816. Other foreign patents pending.” “The E-C logo and Ester-C® are licensed trademarks of Inter-Cal Corporation.”