Boswellia-AF Frankincense, 60 capsules

A next‑generation Boswellia extract

Vitals’ Boswellia‑AF contains the new, improved AprèsFlex®. A genuine next‑generation Boswellia extract that has been successfully optimised for bioavailability. AprèsFlex is better absorbed, leading to greater effectiveness. The speed at which results can be achieved is also remarkable. Studies show that the first results are visible after just five days.

What exactly is Boswellia?

Boswellia is the dried (gum) resin of the tropical frankincense tree Boswellia serrata. When the bark is naturally damaged or cut by humans, the resin (a syrup‑like liquid) is released from the trunk. Boswellia is called a “gum‑resin” because it contains both water‑soluble (gum) and alcohol‑soluble (resin) components. Boswellia has been used for millennia as an effective natural remedy for various purposes. Furthermore, Boswellia (in extract form) has long been popular as a dietary supplement and is considered promising.

Boswellic acids are regarded as the main active substances. These are divided into monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, triterpenetracyclic acids and triterpenepentacyclic acids. These compounds, referred to by researchers as boswellic acids, are thought to explain the action of Boswellia serrata. Four main boswellic acids have been identified: β‑boswellic acid, acetyl‑β‑boswellic acid, 11‑keto‑β‑boswellic acid and acetyl‑11‑keto‑β‑boswellic acid, with research showing that acetyl‑11‑keto‑β‑boswellic acid (AKBA) is the most potent of them.

Therefore Boswellia extracts are usually prepared to contain a high proportion of AKBA (Boswellia naturally contains only 2–3% AKBA). However, a Boswellia extract’s effect does not depend solely on the quantity of active substances it contains. The bioavailability of these substances is also decisive for how effective they prove after oral administration. This is because the absorption of AKBA is relatively low. Increasing the bioavailability of AKBA also ensures increased effectiveness.

The AKBA fraction makes the difference!

As a naturopath you have to abandon familiar assumptions: anyone who has dealt with frankincense knows that boswellic acid is the key component and that the boswellic acid content is therefore decisive for effectiveness.
If you are used to judging a boswellic acid content of, for example, 68% as good, you might at first wrinkle your nose at an indication of 20% as with Vitals Boswellia‑AF.
But if you consider that there are different fractions of boswellic acid—some of them work well, some moderately and some not at all—and you take into account that the most effective of all, namely AKBA, is highly concentrated in Vitals Boswellia‑AF, a very different impression emerges.

Frankincense – medicine or dietary supplement?

Current research indicates that frankincense is effective at a daily dose of over 400 mg. Since dietary supplements are legally not allowed to be presented as having effects, daily recommendations over 399 mg are prohibited; otherwise the product is considered a medicinal product. In this respect Vitals does everything correctly with Boswellia‑AF — the recommended daily dose is “only” 200 mg!

Some background from the nutrition scientist: the studies on the efficacy of frankincense were predominantly conducted with Sallaki, an ancient medicine from Ayurveda.
They only measured how many mg of Sallaki are needed to influence complaints such as joint issues (the typical application area of Sallaki in Ayurveda). The conclusion was that 400 mg or more would be necessary. The more, the better; however, conversely there is the problem that a smaller amount of frankincense could potentially promote inflammation. So if you want to use frankincense as a medicine, that’s fine — but then at least 400 mg daily.
These studies were carried out long before Boswellia in the form of AprèsFlex was developed. At that time people had not yet considered that there are more and less active fractions of boswellic acid.
Vitals’ Boswellia‑AF contains substantially more of the active AKBA than Sallaki.

The effect in the body (warning: technical German…)

The main mechanism by which Boswellia acts is by contributing to the maintenance of the normal function of the enzymes 5‑lipoxygenase (5‑LOX) and 5‑lipoxygenase‑activating protein (FLAP). This is achieved via the active ingredient AKBA. 5‑LOX contributes to the synthesis of certain leukotrienes (locally acting tissue hormones) from arachidonic acid. By helping to maintain normal 5‑LOX and FLAP levels, Boswellia supports healthy cartilage and normal joint function.

AprèsFlex is a component of Boswellia‑AF, a product from Vitals. This is the new name for a high‑quality Boswellia extract from the manufacturer Laila Nutra. This extract was formerly known under the name Aflapin® and is found under that name in the various scientific publications that demonstrate its effectiveness. Laila Nutra specialises in the development of Boswellia extracts characterised by high absorption and rapid action. You have already had success with the popular 5‑Loxin® extract. The producer, however, believed that the absorption of the Boswellia actives could be further optimised.

Laila Nutra developed the AprèsFlex extract, an improved version of their earlier 5‑Loxin extract, by testing various formulations with the aim of achieving even higher bioavailability. This advanced product contains a Boswellia extract (with 20% AKBA) that is complemented by a portion of the non‑volatile oils of the Boswellia resin. Supplementing with these natural oils proved to be the best solution for improving the absorption and bioavailability of AKBA. Although the AKBA content in AprèsFlex is lower compared with 5‑Loxin (20% versus 30%), comparative studies show that AprèsFlex can be absorbed up to 50% better and demonstrates greater efficacy.

Active substances

* No reference intake value is specified according to the FIC.

Ingredients

Rice starch (Oryza sativa), vegetable capsule (pullulan, from fermented cassava starch), Boswellia extract (Boswellia serrata [frankincense]).

Recommended intake

Take 1 capsule with water once or twice daily with a fatty meal.

Storage instructions

Store in a cool, dry place protected from light (do not refrigerate).

Legal information

Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of reach of young children.