The BMJ Formula:

an easy way to effectively support bone, joints, connective tissue and neuromuscular function.

This is what Robert S. Hoffman; M.D. says about the BMJ:

“I take the BMJ formula myself, and I recommend it to my patients.”

The BMJ provides multiple nutrients in a very bio-available form with benefits documented by research.

Arthritis

It is important to provide nutritional support for joints because radiological evidence of degenerative joint disease has been found in 80 percent of people over the age of 55 (Stross JK, Bole GG, 1985).

After more than 35 years of experience treating muscle skeletal pain and joint dysfunction, I designed the BMJ (bone, muscle, joint) formula to support both bone formation and optimal joint function.

We use the original form of glucosamine, glucosamine sulfate, because this formulation was used in the research documenting good results.

Two studies conducted over three years by different research groups documented that cartilage degeneration stopped in the treatment group taking glucosamine sulfate while the control group experienced further degeneration (Reginster JY, et al. 2002, Pavelka K, et al. 2002).

Research has documented that glucosamine sulfate supplies cartilage with building materials. Glucosamine sulfate caused a significant stimulation of proteoglycan production by chondrocytes (cartilage cells) in samples obtained from human osteoarthritic cartilage (Basleer C, et al, 1998).

Proteoglycan is found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue which means outside the cells and provides hydration and makes the cartilage able to withstand compressional forces (Yanagishita M, 1993).

It has also been demonstrated that treatment of osteoarthritic chondrocytes with glucosamine sulfate resulted in an increased cell-mediated GAG (glycosaminoglycan’s) content (Dodge GR, Jimenez SA, 2003). GAG is a common building block both for cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

Another factor involved in cartilage degeneration is free radical damage.

When patients with osteoarthritis were examined, it was found that they had approximately a fourfold lower level of extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared to patients without osteoarthritis (Regan E, et al. 2005). SOD is the body’s own antioxidant enzymes a constituent of cartilage.

Glucosamine sulfate has been found to inhibit gene expression of COX-2 an inflammatory cytokine, and also inhibit PGE2 a pain-producing prostaglandin (Largo R, et al. 2003).

Zinc, copper, and manganese are necessary for the formation of SOD, that’s one of the reasons these minerals are included in the BMJ.

Vitamin D is an important vitamin for joints. An increased risk for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee has been documented in people with low levels of vitamin D (Bergink AP, et al. 2009, Lane NE, et al. 1999).

Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip also progress more rapidly in patients with low vitamin D levels (McAlindon TE, et al. 1996, Lane NE, et al. 1999).

These are some of the reasons why the BMJ contains multiple nutrients.

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Bone

The BMJ (bone, muscle, joint) formula was designed to support bone formation, and optimal joint function.

You will find references documenting the benefits of these nutrients so you understand why they are included in the BMJ.

Taking calcium by itself is not a good idea since that may lead to calcium deposits in soft tissue and the vascular system. Avoiding this is one of the reasons why the BMJ provides multiple nutrients. Magnesium is especially important since it regulates intra and extracellular calcium levels.

Research has documented that increasing magnesium levels significantly reduced vascular calcification (Louvet L, et al. 2013, Hruby A, et al. 2014).

That’s one of the reasons the BMJ contains a large amount of magnesium in a very well absorbed form.

Included is a patented dicalcium malate for improved calcium bio-availability. See comparison graph. (Blue-Dicalcium Malate, Red-Calcium Carbonate)

Calcium is important for bone formation.

When a two-year study compared women who took either 1000 mg or 2000 mg daily of calcium with a placebo group, the groups taking calcium increased their bone density by 1.6 percent (Elders PJ, et al. 1994). No difference was however found between the groups taking 1000 mg or 2000 mg indicating that there is no reason to take high amounts of calcium.

Excerpted and summarized from the full study entitled “Comparison of Calcium Absorption from various calcium- containing products in Healthy Human Adults: A Bio-availability study”. Copyrights, Albion International, Inc. November, 2005

Bone also needs other important nutrients. Magnesium has shown to prevent fractures and increase bone density (Sojka JE, Weaver CM. 1995, Stendig-Lindberg G, et al. 1993).

Bone density has been found to be significantly better when the minerals zinc, copper, manganese, and potassium were added to calcium (Strause L, et al. 1994). Zinc intake and plasma zinc concentrations have been documented to be lower in men with osteoporosis, this has also been reported for women (Hyun TH, et al. 2004).

Minerals in the form of amino acid chelates have documented better bioavailability when compared with other forms of minerals. As an example, when an amino acid chelate of zinc was compared with zinc gluconate, the amino acid chelate increased the bioavailability of zinc by 43.4% (Gandia P, et al. 2007).

Magnesium, copper, zinc, and manganese are included in the BMJ as patented amino acid chelates.

Vitamin D is important for many reasons and it is very common to be deficient or marginally deficient in this vitamin. Vitamin D has been documented to reduce the fracture risk in elderly persons (Bischoff-Ferrari HA, et al. 2009, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, et al. 2005).

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is more efficient in sustaining vitamin D levels. Vitamin D2 potency is less than one-third that of vitamin D3 and has a much shorter duration of action compared to vitamin D3 (Armas LA, et al. 2004).

Joints

The BMJ contains 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate in a daily serving which numerous studies have shown to be safe and effective in decreasing osteoarthritis pain (Reginster JY, et al. 2001, Pavelka K, et al. 2002, da Camara CC, et al. 1998, Foster PK, et al. 1995, Pujalte JM, et al. 1980, Drovanti A, et al. 1980, D’Ambrosio E, et al. 1981, Lopes VA, et al. 1982.)

The graph below shows research comparing glucosamine sulfate with Ibuprofen for eight weeks (Vaz AL. 1982).

After four weeks the glucosamine sulfate produced more pain relief than the Ibuprofen.

Two studies conducted over three years documented that cartilage degeneration stopped in the treatment group taking glucosamine sulfate while the control group experienced further degeneration (Reginster JY. 2001, Pavelka K, et al. 2002).
Research has documented that glucosamine sulfate supplies cartilage with building materials. Glucosamine sulfate caused a significant stimulation of proteoglycan production by chondrocytes (cartilage cells) in samples obtained from human osteoarthritic cartilage (Basleer C, et al, 1998).
Another study showed that treatment of osteoarthritic chondrocytes with glucosamine sulfate resulted in an increased cell-mediated GAG (glycosaminoglycan) content (Dodge GR, Jimenez SA, 2003). GAG is a common building block both for cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

Free radicals are also a factor involved in cartilage degeneration. Patients with osteoarthritis had approximately a fourfold lower level of extra cellular SOD, the body’s own antioxidant enzymes a constituent of cartilage (Regan E, et al. 2005).

Zinc, copper, and manganese are necessary for the formation of SOD. That is one of the reasons these minerals are included in the BMJ.

Vitamin D is also important for joints. An increased risk for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee has been documented in people with low-risk levels of vitamin D (Bergink AP, et al. 2009, Lane NE, et al. 1999). Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip progress more rapidly in patients with low vitamin D (McAlindon TE, et al. 1996, Lane NE, et al. 1999).

A high percentage of patients with non-traumatic persistent, musculoskeletal pain have been found to be vitamin D deficient (Plotnikoff GA, et al. 2003).

Research also shows that support of bone metabolism is important for cartilage integrity. Higher baseline serum osteocalcin, a marker of bone metabolism, has been found to be associated with a decreased rate of cartilage loss (Wang Y, et al. 2005).

The BMJ includes important nutrients for both bone and joint metabolism.

Vitamin B6 is included in the BMJ because it has shown to help prevent kidney stones when taken with magnesium (Prien E, et al. 1974, Gershoffs, et al. 1967).

The BMJ is now in Vegetable Capsules!

Suggested Use: Take 8 capsules in divided doses daily.

The printed date on the bottle is the manufacturing date. The bottle does not expire until more than two years after that date.

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References:

Armas LA, et al. Vitamin D2 is much less effective than vitamin D3 in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Nov;89(11):5387-91.

Basleer C, Rovati L, Franchimont P. Stimulation of proteoglycan production by glucosamine sulfate in chondrocytes isolated from human osteoarthritic articular cartilage in vitro. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1998 Nov;6(6):427-34.

Bergink AP¹, Uitterlinden AG, Van Leeuwen JP, Buurman CJ, Hofman A, Verhaar JA, Pols HA. Vitamin D status, bone mineral density, and the development of radiographic osteoarthritis of the knee: The Rotterdam Study. J Clin Rheumatol. 2009 Aug;15(5):230-7. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0b013e3181b08f20.

Bischoff-Ferrari HA¹, Willett WC, Wong JB, Giovannucci E, Dietrich T, Dawson-Hughes B. Fracture prevention with vitamin D supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA. 2005 May 11;293(18):2257-64.

Bischoff-Ferrari HA¹, Dawson-Hughes B, Staehelin HB, Orav JE, Stuck AE, Theiler R, Wong JB, Egli A, Kiel DP, Henschkowski J. Fall prevention with supplemental and active forms of vitamin D: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2009 Oct 1;339:b3692. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b3692.

D’Ambrosio E, Casa B, Bompani R, et al. Glucosamine sulphate: a controlled clinical investigation in arthrosis. Pharmatherapeutica 1981;2:504.

da Camara CC, Dowless GV. Glucoseamine sulfate for osteoarthritis. Ann Pharmacother, 1998; 32:580-87.

Dodge GR, Jimenez SA. Glucosamine sulfate modulates the levels of aggrecan and matrix metalloproteinase-3 synthesized by cultured human osteoarthritis articular chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2003 Jun;11(6):424-32.

Drovanti A, Bignamini AA, Rovati AL. Therapeutic activity of glucoseamine sulfate in osteoarthritis; a placebo controlled double–blind investigation. Clin Ther, 1980; 3:260-72.

Elders, PJ, et al. Long term effect of calcium supplementation on bone loss in perimenopausal women. J Bone Min Res, 1994; 9:963-70.

Foster-Powell K, Miller JB. International tables of glycemic index. Am J Clin Nutr, 1995;62:871-93.

Gandia P, Bour D, Maurette JM, Donazzolo Y, Duchène P, Béjot M, Houin G. A bioavailability study comparing two oral formulations containing zinc (Zn bis-glycinate vs. Zn gluconate) after a single administration to twelve healthy female volunteers. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2007 Jul;77(4):243-8.

Gershoff SN, Prien EL. Effect of daily MgO and vitamin B6 administration to patients with recurring calcium oxalate kidney stones. Am J Clin Nutr. 1967 May;20(5):393-9.

Hruby A¹, O’Donnell CJ², Jacques PF¹, Meigs JB³, Hoffmann U⁴, McKeown NM⁵. Magnesium intake is inversely associated with coronary artery calcification: the Framingham Heart Study. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014 Jan;7(1):59-69. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2013.10.006. Epub 2013 Nov 27.

Hyun TH, et al. Zinc intakes and plasma concentrations in men with osteoporosis: the Rancho Bernardo Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Sep;

Lane NE, Gore LR, et al. Serum vitamin D levels and incident changes of radiographic hip osteoarthritis: a longitudinal study. Arthritis Rheum. 1999;42(5):854-860.

Largo R¹, Alvarez-Soria MA, Díez-Ortego I, Calvo E, Sánchez-Pernaute O, Egido J, Herrero-Beaumont G. Glucosamine inhibits IL-1beta-induced NFkappaB activation in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2003 Apr;11(4):290-8.

Lopes Vaz A. Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthrosis of the knee in out-patients. Curr Med Res Opin. 1982;8(3):145-9.

Louvet L¹, Büchel J, Steppan S, Passlick-Deetjen J, Massy ZA. Magnesium prevents phosphate-induced calcification in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2013 Apr;28(4):869-78. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfs520. Epub 2012 Dec 9.

McAlindon TE, Felson DT, et al. Relationship of dietary intake and serum levels of vitamin D to progression of osteoarthritis of the knee among participants in the Framingham Study. Ann Intern Med. 1996;125(5):353-359.

80(3):715-21.

Pavelka K, Gatterova J, et al. Glucoseamine sulfate use and delay of progression of knee osteoarthritis. A 3-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Arch Intern Med, 2002; 162:2113-23.

Plotnikoff GA, Quigley JM. Prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D in patients with persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003;78(12):1463-1470.

Prien E, Gershoff S, Magnesium Oxide-Pyridoxine Therapy for recurrent Calcium Oxalate Calculi. J. Urol. 1974:112:509-512.

Pujalte JM, Llavore EP, Ylescupidez FR. Double-blind clinical evaluation of oral Glucosamine sulphate in the basic treatment of osteoarthrosis. Curr Med Res Opin 1980; 7:110.

Regan E, Flannelly J, et al. Extracellular superoxide dismutase and oxidant damage in osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Nov;52(11):3479-91.

Reginster JY, et al. Long-term effects of glucoseamine sulfate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet. 2001:357:251-256.

Sojka JE, Weaver CM. Magnesium supplementation and osteoporosis. Nutr Rev. 1995 Mar;53(3):71-4.

Stendig-Lindberg G, et al. Trabecular bone density in a two year controlled trial of peroral magnesium in osteoporosis. Magnes Res. 1993 Jun;6(2):155-63.

Strause L, et al. Spinal bone loss in postmenopausal women supplemented with calcium and trace minerals. J Nutr. 1994 Jul;124(7):1060-4.

Stross JK, Bole GG. Evaluation of an educational program for primary care practitioners, on the management of osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1985 Jan;28(1):108-11. No abstract available.

Lopes VA. Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and Glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthrosis of the knee in outpatients. Curr Med Res Opin 1982;8:145.

BMJ Formula Scientific Explanation