Dealing with achy joints is no joke, especially if you’re active and challenging your body. I’ve been there, scouring the web for supplements that can deliver relief without being overpriced snake oil. Trust me, most of what’s out there doesn’t live up to the hype.
I came across Instaflexx, a popular joint supplement, and decided to give it a try. Here’s my experience and analysis of it.
Pros
- Resveratrol is dosed well but is not the most well-backed joint supplement.
- Boswellia serrata is dosed correctly.
Cons
- Oral collagen consumption of hyaluronic acid does not directly promote collagen production in the body.
- The studies show collagen to be effective, so you need 100x of what’s in Instaflex.
- Very expensive.
Quick Verdict
My experience was not positive with Instaflex as I didn’t notice any improvement in joint pain or relief.
For an effective joint supplement, try FlexAgain. It’s better dosed than anything else on the market, contains the correct amounts of 11 well-backed ingredients, and has a money-back guarantee.
Who Are Instaflex?
Adaptive Health, originally known as Direct Digital, has evolved significantly from its early days in the 1990s when it started as a newsletter division under Phillips Publishing International.
Over the years, it recognized the need for reliable nutritional products and began developing supplements backed by doctors.
With notable launches like Instaflex and Nugenix, and strategic moves like acquiring Healthy Directions and Biovation Labs, the company has grown into a substantial player in the health and wellness industry.
In 2018, it rebranded to Adaptive Health, reflecting its expanded reach and commitment to providing comprehensive health solutions.
Today, Adaptive Health continues to innovate and adapt, maintaining its position at the forefront of the consumer health market.
Instaflex Ingredients
Turmeric – 200mg
Curcumin is the biologically active turmeric compound responsible for its health benefits. This extract is 95% curcuminoids, which is good.
Turmeric has been studied extensively, and research suggests that curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other properties.
These properties make it a promising candidate for managing joint discomfort.
Clinical trials have shown that curcumin can be as effective as prescribed drugs in reducing joint swelling, pain, and stiffness and improving walking ability in individuals with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with most studies focusing particularly on knee pain [1][2].
The problem is, however, that 200 mg simply isn’t enough. Even with the bioperine, which does improve absorption rates, it’s only going to bump things up by about 10-15%.
Resveratrol – 100mg
Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound found in various plants and has gained attention for its potential benefits in promoting joint health and reducing joint discomfort.
A couple of studies support resveratrol, even though it’s more well-known for its brain health benefits. Resveratrol has been shown to improve mobility and reduce joint pain.
Gene Regulation and Arthritis:
- Certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, have genetic components. Genes like TNF-alpha and IL-1beta play a role in arthritis symptoms.
- Resveratrol interacts with cellular transcription factors, including NF-kappaB, linked to arthritis symptoms. By inhibiting NF-kappaB expression, resveratrol prevents the activation of genes like TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.
This action helps prevent the onset of arthritis and supports stronger cartilage [3][4].
ApresFlex Boswellia serrata extract – 100mg
Boswellia serrata has been shown in quite a few studies that people with joint issues experienced less discomfort after orally taking Boswellia for eight weeks.
They reported improved mobility, greater flexibility, and reduced knee pain. The dosage here is OK but could be higher [5][6].
UCII (25% collagen) – 40mg
Many studies show oral collagen consumption does not directly promote collagen production in the body [7].
Some suggest it does, but it’s been shown that taking it as a dietary supplement requires high doses, as it does mean that you’ll have all of the building blocks necessary, but assuming you have a sensible diet, it’s not too essential [8].
Hyaluronic acid – 5mg
There’s a small amount of evidence that hyaluronic acid could help when taken orally, but the dose is much higher.
A lot of budget joint pain supplements contain 5 mg. This is because there are trials where it was injected directly into the site that used 5 mg.
HA injections deliver HA directly to the joint, reducing friction and inflammation. Research suggests that direct HA is effective for managing osteoarthritis.
In a study, 60% of individuals who received five weekly HA injections showed no worsening cartilage damage, and 32.5% even showed improvement.
Of course, it gets broken down in the stomach, so the odds of it being much use when taken this way are low [9][10].
Bioperine – 5mg
BioPerine enhances the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and most extracts. It’s often paired with turmeric extract (curcumin) to maximize its benefits [11].
BioPerine enhances curcumin absorption, allowing it to reach therapeutic levels more effectively, but you’d need more curcumin.
Instaflex Price
Instaflex’s entry-point pricing is high, especially when you consider the ingredients and lack of ingredients compared to other premium and budget supplements.
| Joint Supplement | 14 Servings | 30 Servings | 60 Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instaflex | $29.99 ($2.14/serving) | $57.99 ($1.93/serving) | $116 ($1.93/serving) |
My Experience with Instaflex
After reading some promising reviews, I had high hopes for Instaflex, but I was really disappointed.
With the premium price tag, I was expecting to finally find relief for my achy knees and joints after weeks of struggling. But even after diligently taking it for a whole month as directed, I didn’t notice any improvements.
My joint discomfort and lack of mobility remained the same after starting Instaflex. Maybe it works for some people, but it didn’t live up to the hype for me.
As far as I could tell, the huge horse pill size was also annoying to swallow every day for something that provided zero benefits.
Based on some of my research, I wonder if the formulation is off or missing key ingredients for better absorption.
For that kind of money, I at least expected to feel something, you know? I stuck it out for a month, but by the end, I just felt like I had wasted $60 on an ineffective supplement.
It’s not the magic cure I was desperately hoping for, that’s for sure. I’ve since moved on to other joint relief products to see if I can find something that works for my needs.
User Reviews & Testimonials
Instaflex has a 4.1-star rating on Amazon, which typically suggests a reliable product. However, I remain skeptical after examining the scientific dosing recommendations and the ingredients in the blend, which lack scientific validation.
This skepticism is echoed in negative Instaflex reviews, where users frequently report that the product did not work, a sentiment that aligns with my personal experience.
The fact that many reviews talk about having not yet tried the product but how it was delivered on time suggests that they incentivized reviews, as this is relatively common.
Instaflex Side Effects
I didn’t experience any adverse side effects from Instaflex. These ingredients are generally considered safe. Some uncommon side effects may include nausea and other minor stomach issues, which can occur with turmeric extracts.
Instaflex Alternatives
FlexAgain
This premium joint health supplement has the highest rating across all web and social platforms, scoring an average of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars with very few negative reviews. Whilst this is my number one choice, it is still more cost-effective than Instaflex.
A quick look at the ingredients list will allow you to see the difference:
Omega 3, Curcumin, Boswellia, Bromelain, MSM, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Gingerols, Vitamin D, K2, and Resveratrol.
It’s a four-capsule-a-day supplement, meaning you get the right doses of these ingredients and 120 capsules per tub rather than 30. Now, this isn’t the most accurate way to judge a supplement, but in this case, it’s simply more indication that you’re getting something better.
What makes it stand out above the rest is the fact that it contains 11 scientifically proven ingredients, recommended by Arthritis societies from around the world, and all dosed in line with these societies’ recommendations:
FlexAgain also has a money-back guarantee, is made in the USA, and is a better product that works for me.
You can read my in-depth guide in my FlexAgain review.
Joint Buddy
Finding a joint health supplement that works while on a tighter budget is not always easy. Joint Buddy is the best budget option currently available.
There are 9 scientifically backed ingredients dosed at the correct levels and scientifically proven. It’s half the price of Instaflex and even better value when purchased in bulk.
You can read my in-depth guide in my Joint Buddy review.
Golden Revive Plus
Golden Revive Plus is a joint health supplement made by UpWellness. It contains six natural ingredients, including turmeric, Boswellia, and bromelain, which are promoted for reducing joint pain and inflammation.
However, most key ingredients are underdosed compared to clinical studies, with the turmeric/curcumin amount being particularly low.
While some customers reported mild benefits, after taking it for a month, I did not notice significant improvement in joint discomfort or mobility.
Many other users echoed this, finding the results underwhelming, especially regarding the premium price point.
You can read my complete guide in my Golden Revive Plus review.
Summary
- Interflex is something of a paradox. It contains several ingredients known to support joint health, but others have little or no scientific data to support their inclusion within the blend.
- Generally, the dosages do not match the recommendations from the arthritis societies and are considered too low to be effective.
- Customer reviews and my overall positive experience with Instaflex suggest the supplement may not live up to its claims.
- Alternatives such as FlexAgain offer a multi-spectrum approach with considerably more and better ingredients correctly dosed and backed by the latest scientific and clinical studies.
Best Joint Pain Supplement
FlexAgain
A powerful, clinically dosed joint supplement to alleviate joint pain and improve joint health.
CHECK CURRENT DEALS
References
- Paultre, K., Cade, W., Hernandez, D., Reynolds, J., Greif, D., & Best, T. M. (2021). Therapeutic effects of turmeric or curcumin extract on pain and function for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. BMJ open sport & exercise medicine, 7(1), e000935.
- Razavi, B. M., Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2021). A review of therapeutic potentials of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its active constituent, curcumin, on inflammatory disorders, pain, and their related patents. Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), 6489-6513.
- Ma, Y., Liu, S., Shu, H., Crawford, J., Xing, Y., & Tao, F. (2020). Resveratrol alleviates temporomandibular joint inflammatory pain by recovering disturbed gut microbiota. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 87, 455-464.
- Marouf, B. H., Hussain, S. A., Ali, Z. S., & Ahmmad, R. S. (2018). Resveratrol supplementation reduces pain and inflammation in knee osteoarthritis patients treated with meloxicam: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Journal of medicinal food, 21(12), 1253-1259.
- Kimmatkar, N., Thawani, V., Hingorani, L., & Khiyani, R. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee–a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine, 10(1), 3-7.
- Majeed, M., Majeed, S., Narayanan, N. K., & Nagabhushanam, K. (2019). A pilot, randomized, double?blind, placebo?controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel Boswellia serrata extract in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. Phytotherapy Research, 33(5), 1457-1468.
- Woo, T., Lau, L., Cheng, N., Chan, P., Tan, K., & Gardner, A. (2017). Efficacy of oral collagen in joint pain-osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. J Arthritis, 6(233), 2.
- Clark, K. L., Sebastianelli, W., Flechsenhar, K. R., Aukermann, D. F., Meza, F., Millard, R. L., … & Albert, A. (2008). 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Current medical research and opinion, 24(5), 1485-1496.
- Migliore, A., & Procopio, S. (2015). Effectiveness and utility of hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis. Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone Metabolism, 12(1), 31.
- Huskisson, E. C., & Donnelly, S. (1999). Hyaluronic acid in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 38(7), 602-607.
- Fernández-Lázaro, D., Mielgo-Ayuso, J., Córdova Martínez, A., & Seco-Calvo, J. (2020). Iron and physical activity: Bioavailability enhancers, properties of black pepper (bioperine®) and potential applications. Nutrients, 12(6), 1886.
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