RedCon1 is the fastest growing brand in sports nutrition with their industry leading marketing initiatives, but also because they make solid products. Redcon1 does not have the most innovative nor complex formulas on the market today, but they create products that get the job done.
Product Overview
Redcon1 Foxtrot® was formulated to be an affordable, comprehensive joint health formula that helps maintain healthy soft tissue while minimizing pain and inflammation. A product like this might not be the most sexy or appealing piece of your supplement arsenal, but at FI we would encourage you to take a look into this realm of supplementation.
Joint health is possibly the most overlooked aspect of fitness and training. Unfortunately, it may be the most important aspect when thinking about long-term fitness, so it is wise to begin taking care of your joints before it’s too late.
Ingredients
Let’s break down this ingredient label and see exactly what we are getting here with Redcon1 Foxtrot®.
Glucosamine HCL – 1,500mg
Glucosamine is an ingredient that is very common throughout joint health supplements for its ability to increase cartilage metabolism and slow joint degradation. This ingredient is typically derived from shellfish but can also be made synthetically.
Here with Foxtrot®, we have glucosamine in the hydrochloride form where it lacks the typical sulfate group that we find in many joint supplements. The hydrochloride form has a purity of around 99%, while the sulfate form only 74%. It has been noted that 1,500mg of glucosamine hydrochloride is around the equivalent of 2,600mg of the sulfate form.
There are many studies that demonstrate glucosamines ability to reduce knee pain due to cartilage degradation. One study analyzed the effect of a once per day 2,000mg glucosamine sulfate supplementation on joint pain and functionality in the knees of participants with chronic knee pain/issues. After 12 weeks of supplementation, the researchers found that 88% of the experimental group experienced improvements in pain and functionality. However, even though this was a double-blind study, the assessment of pain improvement was measured by subjective self-assessment by the participants.
Most research supports glucosamine sulfate used in dosages of 1,500mg or higher. Some evidence has shown that benefits can be seen from dosages as low as 900mg per day, however results are highly dose dependent with this ingredient. We are getting the equivalent of about 2,600mg of glucosamine here with Foxtrot®.
MSM (MethylSulfonylmethane) – 1,000mg
This ingredient is a naturally occurring organic compound that has been used historically for a variety of purposes, but has gained popularity in the dietary industry for its use as an anti-inflammatory agent. We see it used in many studies throughout modern literature as a successful addition to arthritis treatment plans with little to no side effects.
One double blind, clinically controlled study looks at MSM supplementation in 49 men and women ranging from 45-90 years of age. All of these participants had osteoarthritis and consumed just over 3,000mg daily for a period of 12 weeks. We see that over time, there were significant differences between the MSM and the placebo group on the WOMAC physical function scale. However, the same was not experienced when looking at the stiffness and pain aspects of osteoarthritis. This study and similar studies demonstrate that MSM may be more effective as a treatment for physical function rather than pain or stiffness in people with joint issues.
The most common dose of MSM you will see in dietary supplements is 1,000mg. Many studies have shown its efficacy around this range, however like many joint ingredients the results achieved are largely dose dependent. We get 1,000mg of MSM here from Redcon1.
Chondroitin Sulfate – 800mg
Chondroitin is a large component of the extracellular matrix in a variety of soft tissues found in the human body. Chondroitin sulfate is commonly paired with the other two ingredients mentioned above to slow or even prevent joint degradation, and help treat symptoms of osteoarthritis including joint pain and stiffness.
There is not an overwhelming amount of reliable literature that supports the use of chondroitin by itself as a successful joint supplement. Many of the studies that shown benefit have smaller amounts of participants and are highly subject to statistical chance or poor experimental design. You will also find that this ingredient is often times paired alongside either MSM or Glucosamine during experimental trials, making it difficult to assess the potency of Chondroitin itself. Many of the larger studies, which are more reliable, seem to push towards the fact that chondroitin supplementation has little to no effect on joint health or recovery, especially acutely. However, many people claim this ingredient helped their symptoms, therefore much of its use is fueled by anecdotal support and also its synergy alongside other joint ingredients.
The most common chondroitin sulfate dose we see is around the 800mg mark. There is various literature that shows benefits from supplementing with as low as 500mg, but these studies are not as reliable. We like seeing 800mg of chondroitin here to pair along with the glucosamine and MSM.
Ginger (4:1 powder) – 300mg
Here we simply have ginger extract in the form of a powder. This ingredient is arguably the most popular herbal medication in the world and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of different disorders. There is some evidence that ginger can reduce symptoms of pain in osteoarthritis patients, which is due to ginger’s ability to act as a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agent. Ginger is one of few herbal medications that have been tested against pharmaceutical grade drugs in a controlled setting for its ability to reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.
One study puts ginger extract against possibly the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen. This study was a clinically controlled, double blind study that assessed the management of pain in patients with osteoarthritis of either the hip or the knee. Ginger was administered at 170mg thrice daily. Each drug was administered for 3 weeks and assessed on several pain scales. The researchers found that while ginger was not able to suppress symptoms of osteoarthritis as well as the ibuprofen, it did provide statistically significant changes when compared to the placebo. During the first clinical trials, the ginger extract provided relief that was quite similar to the ibuprofen; however, these results were not sustained for the entire trial period.
We typically see daily doses of ginger extract in clinical studies around the 500mg mark. In dietary supplements however, the most common dose tends to be between 200-300mg. Literature has shown that the inflammation benefits of ginger extract are typically dose dependent, hence the higher the dose the more relief. Redcon1 gives us 300mg here with Foxtrot®.
Turmeric (Curcumin) – 300mg
Turmeric is another extract that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It is a common plant throughout India, some parts of Asia, and Central America. Turmeric has a vast amount of uses in traditional medicine including breathing issues, pain, nausea and fatigue.
The bioactive substance that is found in Turmeric is known as curcumin. Curcumin inhibits enzymes that produce inflammatory compounds, while also increasing levels of endogenous antioxidants. Research shows the ability of curcumin to provide some pain relief in osteoarthritis patients while also improving joint function in some cases.
An interesting study from 2019 puts curcumin to the test against a pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac. Researchers had a population size of 139 osteoarthritis patients who were randomly assigned either 1500mg of curcumin or 100mg of diclofenac daily. The researchers measured severity of pain as the primary source of efficacy comparison using the visual analog scale score. At the conclusion of the 4-week trial, it was found that curcumin supplementation offered similar efficacy compared to its pharmaceutical opponent.
It is worth noting that throughout the study, the curcumin group tolerated the supplementation much better and experienced little to no side effects. Several individuals of the diclofenac group experienced mild side effects, including 28% of participants who required another drug just to combat the side effects.
We do have one huge complaint with this formula regarding the inclusion of turmeric. It is important to note that piperine (black pepper extract) should ALWAYS be used alongside turmeric because the bioactive ingredient, curcumin, has an almost non-existent absorption rate by itself. Redcon1 does not include piperine in this formula, so it is highly likely that we are getting no benefit from turmeric here.
This study uses a very large dose of curcumin that is not typical of joint health formulas (1500mg daily). We typically see turmeric standardized to 95% curcuminoids in many dietary supplements. Redcon1 does not specifically specify the standardization of their turmeric on the label, but we are getting a solid dose of total turmeric powder at 300mg. Although, we definitely would have liked to see Piperine included in this formula to maximize the benefits.
Tart Cherry Extract – 250mg
Many people know cherry juice is supposed to be “good for you”, but not many people actually understand what makes it beneficial to your body. Tart cherry juice is high in a flavonoid compound known as anthocyanins. This phytochemical is responsible for producing an anti-inflammatory response in the body, which has shown some promise in treating patients with joint pain.
A double-blind cross-over study was conducted in 2013 that assessed tart cherry extracts ability to reduce pain and inflammation in patients with arthritis of the knee. The trial consisted of 58 participants who were either given the extract or a placebo for 6-weeks, followed by a 1-week washout period before the treatment method was swapped for another 6-week period. The researchers found that tart cherry extract was able to provide a slight relief in pain when looking at WOMAC scores compared to the placebo treatment. Overall, the extract was able to reduce inflammation and pain in patients with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee slightly better than the placebo.
We are getting a 10:1 ratio extract here, meaning we are getting a pretty high concentration of anthocyanin. Therefore, 250mg of this extract is a good dose that should be able to provide results similar to what is seen in scientific literature.
Boswellia Extract (Boswellia Serrate) – 250mg
Boswellia Extract comes from a gum resin that is extracted from the Boswellia Serrata tree. Boswellia trees also produce frankincense, which is probably familiar to most people as it is typically burned for its aromatic characteristics. This ingredient has many historical traditional medicinal uses including those from Ayurvedic, Chinese and several regions in the Middle East.
The primary benefit of Boswellia comes from the active component known as Boswellin. This bioactive component is thought to have some anti-inflammatory benefits that may specifically target the joints. Studies have also shown that this ingredient may provide some pain relief, while also improving mobility.
Two researchers in 2014 conducted a large meta-analysis including forty-nine different clinical trials regarding the use of Boswellia extract as a treatment for osteoarthritis. It was concluded that Boswellia extract shows promise as a source of moderate-relief of symptoms over the short-term. However, when used as a long-term treatment the literature is less convincing. It was noted that further studies are required to determine the optimum daily dose that will provide clinically significant benefits while minimizing adverse events.
We are getting 250mg here with Redcon1 Foxtrot®. The recommended dosage of Boswellia serrata extract is tough to say because the studies use such a large range of the ingredient. However, we do see the most benefits from Boswellia extract in studies using this ingredient in the 2000mg range. It is tough to judge here because we do not know the standardization of the extract.
Hyaluronic Acid – 100mg
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occurring sugar that is found in our skin and joints. Its primary function is to hold water and increase lubrication and hydration. There has also been evidence of its ability to promote growth of cartilage and bone, and also work to reduce inflammation.
The naturally occurring amount of HA decreases in your body as you grow older. This can be one of the reasons you start noticing your joints don’t feel or perform like they used to, due to the loss of lubrication and hydration. For this reason, it is typical to see HA administered directly into the affected joint using a local injection. We see the most research supporting HA and its ability to increase physical function in patients suffering from chronic osteoarthritis. There is an abundance of literature supporting the use of HA administered locally via injection, however oral supplementation needs further research.
The few studies we see regarding HA through oral supplementation use this ingredient between 60 and 200mg. You will typically see joint health formulas use HA around 100mg, which is exactly what we are getting here.
Final Takeaway
Redcon1 has yet to disappoint us. They bring another solid product to the table here with a solid choice of ingredients that are in line with the studies that support their use. Foxtrot® offers a fully transparent label full of ingredients that will keep your joints healthy and allow you to continue your intense training.
The only complaint we have here is that the team at Redcon1 left out an important ingredient that should always be paired alongside Turmeric. We really should see black pepper extract (piperine) included in this formula to not only improve the absorption of Turmeric, but the rest of the ingredients as well.
It is important to realize with joint health formulas that improvement doesn’t happen overnight. It is an ongoing process that requires consistent care and supplementation. Joint care is a journey that should be taken using a great product such as this one. If you are in the market for a joint supplement, it’s tough to beat the value and quality Redcon1 brings with Foxtrot®.
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