Quick Verdict
Relief Factor and Balance of Nature supplements have different goals, but in the end, both aim to improve your wellness, and many people hesitate about which of the two products to buy. While both have their merits, neither is worth the high price.
Relief Factor can provide joint pain and stiffness relief, especially if taken in higher doses. However, the price increases even further, decreasing the supplement’s value. Instead, I always opt for a slightly cheaper and drastically more effective joint health supplement called FlexAgain.
With nearly three times more ingredients, it addresses almost all possible causes of joint issues and has given the most lasting relief of any similar supplement I’ve tried.
Quick Verdict
Based on my testing and formulation breakdown, neither Relief Factor nor Balance of Nature is as effective as FlexAgain. FlexAgain is a more potent joint supplement with an effective formulation for joint pain relief and support.
What is Relief Factor
Relief Factor is a dietary supplement designed to help alleviate everyday aches and pains associated with physical activity, aging, or inflammation.
Created with a blend of natural ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, Resveratrol, and icariin, the formula aims to reduce inflammation in the body, which is often linked to joint discomfort and muscle soreness.
Turmeric and Resveratrol, both known for their anti-inflammatory properties, are believed to play a central role in soothing inflammation, while omega-3 fatty acids contribute to overall joint health.
Icariin, a lesser-known compound derived from the Epimedium plant, is included for its potential in supporting blood flow and muscle recovery.
Relief Factor is marketed primarily to adults seeking a natural, drug-free approach to managing minor aches and pains, particularly those stemming from an active lifestyle or age-related joint issues.
Unlike some over-the-counter pain medications, Relief Factor is intended for long-term use as a supplement, with the idea that consistent intake will support ongoing relief from discomfort.
See my Relief Factor review for an in-depth breakdown.
What Is Balance of Nature
Balance of Nature is a dietary supplement that provides whole-food nutrition from fruits and vegetables in a convenient capsule form.
The brand offers two primary products: Fruits & Veggies, which contains a blend of powdered fruits and vegetables, and Fiber & Spice, a separate supplement.
These products are designed to support overall wellness by delivering vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants derived directly from natural produce.
They aim to bridge the gap for individuals who may not get enough fruits and vegetables in their daily diet.
Unlike synthetic multivitamins, Balance of Nature emphasizes whole-food nutrition, believing nutrients are most beneficial when they come from their original food sources.
The Fruits & Veggies supplement is crafted from a variety of whole, freeze-dried produce, while Fiber & Spice combines fiber-rich plant ingredients to support digestive health.
Many users turn to Balance of Nature as a convenient way to boost their intake of essential nutrients, enhance energy levels, support immune function, and promote overall vitality.
Relief Factor vs. Balance of Nature Main Differences
Ingredients
Relief Factor boasts a curated blend of natural ingredients, focusing on anti-inflammation and pain relief. Key components include Omega-3, turmeric, Resveratrol, and Icariin.
Each of these ingredients has documented anti-inflammatory properties supporting joint and muscle health.
Epimedium is a plant found in Asia that is best known as horny goat weed. It has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat erectile dysfunction and increase libido and testosterone levels. It contains icariin, a flavonoid that some studies suggest helps reduce swelling and inflammation [3].
Turmeric is an extract from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant and boasts potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It can reduce pain and inflammation, restore joint function, treat osteoarthritis pain, boost the effectiveness of other antioxidants in your system, and generally promote joint health.
The issue is that the body needs a bioavailability enhancer like piperine to absorb turmeric, which is absent from the Relief Factor formulation [2].
Relief Factor also contains 900 mg of omega-3 fatty acids.
These acids are extensively used in supplements because they can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, promote joint health, prevent joint injury, repair existing damage, enhance muscle and connective tissue growth, and improve joint lubrication, flexibility, and mobility [1].
The last ingredient is Resveratrol. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Consuming it can help prevent or treat oxidative stress and damage to cells and tissues throughout the body [4].
In contrast, Balance of Nature offers two primary supplements: Fruits & Veggies and Fiber & Spice. Fruits & Veggies contains over 30 different fruits and vegetables, dehydrated and packed into capsules. This ensures a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from natural sources.
Fiber & Spice combines dietary fiber with a selection of spices for digestive health. Psyllium husk and turmeric dominate the blend.
The ingredients are far too many to list individually. Furthermore, they are mixed into 6 proprietary blends, and we don’t know the exact dosages of each component.
Benefits
Relief Factor is primarily marketed for pain relief. The ingredients work synergistically to reduce inflammation, which is a root cause of chronic pain.
Regular use of Relief Factor can result in decreased joint discomfort, improved mobility, and decreased need for over-the-counter pain medications.
Balance of Nature focuses on overall nutritional supplementation. With Fruits & Veggies, users receive a concentrated dose of essential nutrients, similar to consuming multiple servings of raw fruits and vegetables.
This can boost energy levels, support immune function, and improve overall health. Fiber & Spice helps maintain digestive health, aids in regulating bowel movements and can benefit those looking to improve gut health.
Effectiveness
When it comes to effectiveness, Relief Factor has garnered positive feedback for its ability to alleviate pain associated with arthritis, muscle strains, and other inflammatory conditions. Many users note significant pain reduction within a few weeks of consistent use.
Balance of Nature’s effectiveness is reported in terms of overall well-being. Users often feel more energetic and notice improvements in their digestive health.
However, the effectiveness of Balance of Nature supplements can vary as they focus more on maintaining long-term health than providing immediate relief like Relief Factor.
Clinical Research
Clinical research plays a pivotal role in establishing the credibility of health products. Relief Factor’s formulation is based on ingredients with individual scientific backing.
Extensive research supports omega-3’s anti-inflammatory and heart health benefits. Turmeric and Resveratrol have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties.
In contrast, Balance of Nature’s clinical backing is less robust. While the fruits and vegetables in Fruits & Veggies are known for their health benefits, the company has faced scrutiny over making unverified health claims.
In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning letter to Balance of Nature. The FTC cited concerns that Balance of Nature made unsubstantiated health claims about its products’ ability to treat or prevent diseases.
This kind of attention raises questions about the reliability of some of its promotional messages.
Having a clean legal record is crucial for trust in health products, so these issues could be a red flag for some consumers.
It’s always wise to look beyond marketing claims and examine the actual ingredients and scientific backing of any supplement.
Side Effects
Relief Factor is generally well-tolerated. However, some users may experience mild side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort or a fishy aftertaste, due to Omega-3. Turmeric, while generally safe, can cause stomach upset in high doses.
I had slight stomach discomfort a few times in the first two weeks while taking three packets daily.
Balance of Nature’s supplements are natural and typically safe for most users. Nevertheless, some individuals might experience digestive adjustments when starting the Fiber & Spice supplement due to its high fiber content.
Allergic reactions are rare but can occur, especially for those sensitive to specific fruits or vegetables.
User Reviews
User reviews provide practical insights into the daily use of these supplements. Relief Factor often receives praise for its effectiveness in reducing pain and improving mobility.
Many users share success stories about decreased reliance on pain medications after integrating Relief Factor into their routine.
The Relief Factor website allows full access to all customer reviews and the option to filter them so you can see all the positive and negative reviews, which is commendable, as few companies do it.
The total score is 4/5, which shows overall satisfaction with the product.
However, there are also more than a few negative reviews, mostly revolving around the product’s high cost and the occasional stomach issues some users have experienced.
Balance of Nature is available on Amazon, with over 18,000 reviews and a score of 4.1. While this is a solid score, the detailed reviews are mixed.
Some users report noticeable energy boosts and better digestion after using Fruits & Veggies and Fiber & Spice.
However, others critique the product for not living up to the claims made in the advertising, pointing out that the benefits are not as immediate or pronounced as expected.
One of the main critiques I’ve found and completely agree with is the exceptionally high price for a product of this kind.
Price
| Joint Supplements | 1 Bottle | Subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Relief Factor | $93.95 ($3.13 per serving) | $79.95 ($2.66 per serving) (first month is $19.95) |
| Balance of Nature | $89.95 ($2.99 per serving) | 80.95 ($2.69 per serving) |
My Experience With Relief Factor & Balance of Nature
Relief Factor
Relief Factor comes in small, easy-to-swallow capsules. The packaging is straightforward, and the daily dosage is manageable, depending on how many packets you take.
The recommended daily dose when you start is 3 packets, which amounts to 12 pills per day, and it can be pretty overwhelming.
After using Relief Factor for a few weeks, I noticed a significant reduction in my joint pain. The ingredients’ anti-inflammatory properties, especially turmeric and Omega-3, seemed to ease my discomfort effectively.
Within the first week, I experienced less stiffness in the mornings. It was not dramatic, but it was noticeable.
The effects of Relief Factor were consistent over time. I didn’t experience the common “wear-off” that some supplements have.
But it’s worth noting that I took the recommended 3 packets per day for 2 weeks, which certainly sped up the process.
However, taking this dose makes the product exorbitantly expensive. Relief Factor is one of the most expensive joint supplements, even with two packets a day.
Balance of Nature
Balance of Nature’s Fruits & Veggies supplements come in capsule form, making them very convenient.
On the other hand, the Fiber & Spice supplement is a powder that needs to be mixed with water or another beverage. I’ve only tried the Fruits and Veggies product, but the powder form of the Spices is worth noting.
The overall health benefits of Balance of Nature became apparent gradually. My energy levels improved, and I felt more balanced.
Unlike Relief Factor, Balance of Nature’s benefits seemed to take longer to manifest and required even more prolonged use.
While the supplement did promote a sense of overall well-being, the immediate effects weren’t as noticeable as those from Relief Factor.
Should You Choose Relief Factor Or Balance Of Nature
Deciding between Relief Factor and Balance of Nature eventually depends on your health priorities. If you’re seeking quick and effective pain relief, Relief Factor’s natural ingredients, like Omega-3 and turmeric, can be a game-changer.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to improve your overall health and nutrition gradually, Balance of Nature’s Fruits & Veggies and Fiber & Spice supplements offer a solid option.
However, both supplements have one big issue- their value for money. At nearly $100 per month, the two products are well into the premium class of their respective segments, and I am not convinced either is worth the asking price.
Relief Factor has a potent formulation, and at two packets a day, it packs a punch and can help alleviate joint pain and discomfort. However, with only four components and a high price, it’s far from the best product on the market.
Flex Again contains many more adequately dosed ingredients. This allows it to target many more possible causes of pain and bring a bigger potential for relief.
Balance of Nature uses only natural sources and aims to fill big nutritional gaps, partially explaining the high price. With that said, I believe you can get better results with a much cheaper multivitamin and some tweaks in your diet.
FlexAgain
FlexAgain
A powerful, clinically dosed joint supplement to alleviate joint pain and improve joint health.
CHECK CURRENT DEALS
References
- Miles, E. A., & Calder, P. C. (2012). Influence of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on immune function and a systematic review of their effects on clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis. British Journal of Nutrition, 107(S2), S171-S184.
- Anand, P., Kunnumakkara, A. B., Newman, R. A., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2007). Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promises. Molecular pharmaceutics, 4(6), 807-818.
- Shindel, A. W., Xin, Z. C., Lin, G., Fandel, T. M., Huang, Y. C., Banie, L., … & Lue, T. F. (2010). Erectogenic and neurotrophic effects of icariin, a purified extract of horny goat weed (Epimedium spp.) in vitro and in vivo. The journal of sexual medicine, 7(4_Part_1), 1518-1528.
- Kjær, T. N., Ornstrup, M. J., Poulsen, M. M., Jørgensen, J. O. L., Hougaard, D. M., Cohen, A. S., … & Pedersen, S. B. (2015). Resveratrol reduces the levels of circulating androgen precursors but has no effect on, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, PSA levels or prostate volume. A 4?month randomised trial in middle?aged men. The Prostate, 75(12), 1255-1263.
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