Zyflamend, touted as a natural herbal response to inflammation, is credited as being able to benefit many conditions most notably arthritis, cancer osteoporosis and back pain. But, does Zyflamend really work? Unlike many natural inflammation healing supplements, Zyflamend has several studies published in medical journals. I’m going to use that research in my Zyflamend review because only by looking at the research can we know if it’s right for you.
Zyflamend ingredients
According to the NewChapter.com, the company that makes this product, Zyflamend has the following ingredients in 2 soft gels:
| Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) | 150 mg | % DV |
| Turmeric (Curcuma longa) | 110 mg | NA |
| Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) | 100 mg | NA |
| Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) | 100 mg | NA |
| Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) | 100 mg | NA |
| Hu Zhang (Polygonum cuspidatum) | 80 mg | NA |
| Chinese Goldthread (Coptis chinensis) | 40 mg | NA |
| Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) | 40 mg | NA |
| Oregano (Origanum vulgare) | 40 mg | NA |
| Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) | 20 mg | NA |
NA=daily value not established
Zyflamend research
The NewChapter.com website states that “Zyflamend has been studied at leading research institutions and has been shown to benefit multiple areas of health including joint health, skin health, bone health, and normal tissue growth.” There is indeed research on Zyflamend with many of these studies involving the effects of Zyflamend and prostate cancer. Searching the National Library of medicine for the word “Zyflamend” I was able to locate 13 studies. Note, I’ve linked to the actual studies for those who wish to do their own research on this supplement.
In 2012, a study titled Zyflamend, a combination of herbal extracts, attenuates tumor growth in murine xenograft models of prostate cancer was published in journal, Nutrition and Cancer. This study noted that mice, given the human-equivalent amounts of Zyflamend, reduced prostate cancer cell growth.
In 2012, a test tube study titled Carnosol, a constituent of Zyflamend, inhibits aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated activation of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 transcription and mutagenesis noted that Zyflamend (and carnosol, one of the compounds in Zyflamend) inhibited expression of two types of cancer-causing genes and their related cell mutations.
In 2012, a test tube study titled, Zyflamend sensitizes tumor cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through up-regulation of death receptors and down-regulation of survival proteins: role of ROS-dependent CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein pathway, noted that Zyflamend improved the death of cancer cells by making them more sensitive the immune system.
In 2012, in a test tube study titled, Zyflamend suppresses growth and sensitizes human pancreatic tumors to gemcitabine in an orthotopic mouse model through modulation of multiple targets, Zyflamend, was shown to inhibit the spread of pancreas cancer cells. The effect was greater when Zyflamend was combined with anti-cancer medications. Zyflamend was also noted to reduce NFKB, a protein that is related to cellular inflammation.
NFKB is a hot topic in research because of the link between inflammation and diseases like cancer, heart disease and maybe even aging. Other supplements touted to reduce NFKB include Protandim and Anatabloc so see those reviews for additional information.
In 2012, a test tube study titled, Zyflamend inhibits the expression and function of androgen receptor and acts synergistically with bicalutimide to inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, noted that Zyflamend inhibited the spread of prostate cancer cells and that this effect was greater when combined with prostate cancer medications.
In 2011, a test tube study titled Zyflamend reduces the expression of androgen receptor in a model of castrate-resistant prostate cancer, Zyflamend, was noted to decrease the growth of prostate cancer cells.
In 2011 a test tube study titled Zyflamend mediates therapeutic induction of autophagy to apoptosis in melanoma cells, inhibited the growth of skin cancer cells.
In a review article published in 2010 titled Antioxidants and antiinflammatory dietary supplements for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, the authors noted that they could not recommend Zyflamend for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis because there are no human trials showing that Zylamend helps these conditions.
In a 2009 study titled Zyflamend in men with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia: results of a phase I clinical trial was published the Journal of the Society of Integrative Oncology. This study consisted of 29 men (age 40-75) at risk for prostate cancer. Of these, 23 men completed the 18 month study. Every 3 months, blood was taken and analyzed for various things including PSA, CRP, NFKB and testosterone. Men took Zyflamend 3 times per day.
This study noted that Zylamend alone ―and in combination with other supplements― reduced PSA levels, CRP (a marker for inflammation) and NFKB (a marker for inflammation). No changes in testosterone were noted. This study saw no significant changes in the COX 2 enzyme. This is opposite the findings of the 2012 study mentioned above.
This study appears to be the first human trial of Zyflamend. While interesting, this study did not include a placebo group (that’s a problem). Also the study makes no mention as to the other supplements used. As far as I can tell, this study does not appear to have been replicated, which I find odd.
In 2008 a study titled Zyflamend reduces LTB4 formation and prevents oral carcinogenesis in a 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster cheek pouch model, noted that topical application of Zyflamend to the cheeks of hampers reduced chemicals associated cellular with inflammation and mouth cancer.
In 2007 a study titled Zyflamend, a polyherbal preparation, inhibits invasion, suppresses osteoclastogenesis, and potentiates apoptosis through down-regulation of NF-kappa B activation and NF-kappa B-regulated gene products, noted that Zyflamend reduced the formation of osteoclasts (a type of bone eating cell involved in osteoporosis) as well as the inflammation protein called NFKB. This was a test tube study.
In 2007 a study titled The role of Zyflamend, an herbal anti-inflammatory, as a potential chemopreventive agent against prostate cancer: a case report was published. This study reports the results of one person involved in the 2009 human Zyflamend study already summarized. I’m not sure why the researchers decided to release the results of only 1 person? This makes no sense to me.
In 2007, a study titled Zyflamend-mediated inhibition of human prostate cancer PC3 cell proliferation: effects on 12-LOX and Rb protein phosphorylation noted that Zyflamend inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells in a test tube.
In 2005, a study titled Zyflamend, a unique herbal preparation with nonselective COX inhibitory activity, induces apoptosis of prostate cancer cells that lack COX-2 expression, noted that Zyflamend caused the death of prostate cancer cells in a test tube.
Zyflamend and cancer
Several Zyflamend studies involve cancer, with an emphasis prostate cancer and to a lesser degree, pancreatic cancer. The research is interesting but, for the moment, appears to be mostly limited to lab animal and test tube studies. I only found 1 human study of Zyflamend and prostate cancer. I was not able to locate any research showing that Zyflamend reduced the risk of prostate cancer (or pancreatic cancer), cured cancer or increased survival times for those who had cancer. For more on Zyflamend and cancer see the review at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Zyflamend may lower PSA levels, something men may be interested in. Currently, there is no evidence that Zyflamend reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
I see no evidence that Zyflamend reduces breast cancer.
Note. When I say “test tube study” I’m making a very general statement regarding research that is not conducted in either lab animals or humans. I’m purposely not being technical.
Zyflamend and osteoporosis
I found one test tube study noting that Zyflamend suppressed the formation of osteoclasts, a type of bone eating cell that plays a role in the formation of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Theoretically this might hint that Zyflamend might offer some protection against osteoporosis and/or osteopenia but since there is no human studies of this, it is difficult to tell how much help it would be at this time.
Zyflamend and arthritis
There is some research noting that Zyflamend might reduce the COX2 enzyme as well as the protein, NFKB, both of which might play a role in arthritis. This is interesting, but I have not seen any studies on the question of “Zyflamend and arthritis pain.” In other words, does taking Zyflamend help people with arthritis feel better?
Zyflamend and back pain
A lot of websites mention that Zyflamend can help back pain. It might, but I found no studies of Zyflamend and back pain. If Zyflamend reduces inflammation, it might indeed have an effect on helping to heal some types of muscular back pain but as or now, other than testimonials, there isn’t any good proof either way.
Zyflamend research summary
Here is a summary of the 13 studies on Zyflamend I was able to locate
Out of these 13 published studies, there is only 1 human trial of Zyflamend. That human trial was conducted in 2009― and, as far as I can tell ―it does not appear to have been duplicated.
I personally discount the results of the 2007 human case report because its a report of only 1 person involved in the 2009 human study. As such, that person has already been included in the 2009 human study. As such, let’s group the 2007 human case report with the 2009 human study because these are basically the same thing.
To be fair, let’s also leave out the 2010 review article of Zyflemend / antioxidants and arthritis because it’s not a study on Zyflamend.
If we do this, we are left with 11 studies of Zyflamend. Of those 11 studies, there is only 1 human investigation of Zyflamend. This means that 10 of the 11 studies (91%) of the Zyflamend research is conducted on either lab animals or in test tubes.
Having said that, the lack of human research doesn’t necessarily mean Zyflamend is no value to people. But, the geek in me would like to see better research done.
Who makes Zyflamend?
Zyflamend is produced by a company called New Chapter Inc. Their address is 90 Technology Drive Brattleboro, VT 05301. To contact New Chapter their phone numbers are:
- 800-543-7279
- (802) 257-0018
The Better Business Bureau gives New Chapter a rating of A+ as of 5/21/13. Here is the BBB file on New Chapter. According to the BBB, New Chapter was created in 1983. As of march 2012, Proctor and Gamble bought New Chapter.
New Chapter makes a LOT of dietary supplements. For more info on these, see the New Chapter website.
Zyflamend vs. Anatabloc?
As I was searching through the Zyflamend research I found a few studies noting that Zyflamend reduced an inflammation protein called NFKB. The reduction of NFKB is something that the makers of Anatabloc also claim. There is research that Anatabloc can reduce NFKB as well. Because of this, some might wonder:
- Is Zyflamend is better than Anatabloc?
- Are Zyflamend and Anatabloc be better together?
Sadly, I don’t know the answer to either of these questions. I am not aware of any studies that compared Zyflamend to anatabloc or gave both of these products to people to see what happened. One thing that can be said is the Zyflamend is a lot cheaper than Anatabloc. For example, is Zyflamend on Amazon.
For more information see my Anatabloc review.
Zyflamend vs. Protandim?
Protandim is touted as an anti-aging supplement and is quite popular in some circles. The people who sell Protandim claim that it can reduce cellular inflammation. One of the ingredients in Protandim is tumeric. Tumeric also happens to be in Zyflamend. I have often wondered that, ―if Protandim really worked ―if tumeric might be the “secret sauce?” I am not aware of any head to head comparisons of Zyflamend and Protandim. Or for that matter, tumeric alone compared to either Zyflamend or Protandim.
Zyflamend side effects
I’m not aware of any serious side effects or drug interactions from taking Zyflamend. There are over 500 comments on a Zyflamend supplement at Amazon, with most of them positive. That said, If people are going to try Zyflamend, I think it’s best to start with less than the recommended dose for the first week, just to see how you respond.
Here are some possible Zyflamend side effects based on the ingredients and from its research. Those who think that any of these side effects apply to them, should talk to their doctor first.
One human study noted mild GI discomfort from Zyflamend (this is common for many supplements).
Men should tell their doctor they are taking Zyflamend since it can lower PSA levels. This may have an impact on PSA blood tests.
At least one study noted that Zyflamend reduces COX2, an enzyme involved in many things such as arthritis. This might mean Zyflamend is a natural COX2 inhibitor. How Zyflamend interacts with other COX2 inhibitors such as aspirin or prescription arthritis medications is not known.
Tumeric may interact with blood thinner medications.
Ginger may interact with blood thinner medications and reduce blood pressure. People with heart disease should talk to their doctor before using Zyflamend.
Does Zyflamend work?
Zyflamend does have research noting that this herbal combination may be an effective natural reducer of inflammation for some people. The research is interesting, and the combination of ingredients in Zyflamend seems logical. That said, the geek in me would like to see more human research. For example, considering that people may be taking Zyflamend for arthritis, I’d like to see proof Zyflamend reduced arthritis pain in people. On the plus side, as can be seen from Amazon.com, Zyflamend is less expensive than other natural pain remedies. There are a lot of lab animal and test tube studies on Zyflamend that seem to show its doing something. While that’s nice, I think it’s high time somebody did some good human studies on Zyflamend to see if it really works or not.
What do you think?
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