Men who take painkillers, known as NSAID’s. for arthritis are twice as likely to suffer impotence, according to new research from the University of Finland.

The research, published in the Journal of Urology, is the first to make a link between NSAID’s and impotence. Previously it was widely known that arthritis sufferers experience a higher incidence of impotence, but the new study is the first to reveal the possible underlying cause of why this is the case.

Approximately 1 in 10 men suffer from impotence at some point during their lives, 30% of cases are sue to psychological problems but the remaining 70% are due to underlying physical causes. Last month another report linked painkillers to increased risk of heart attack.

A new breakthrough treatment for arthritis has been shown in published research to deliver effective pain relief to stiff, painful joints within just 30 minutes of application, making it 15% faster and more effective than any oral or topical NSAID’s (Non-Steroid Anti Inflammatory Drugs) currently available.

The new treatment, called Celafen™, contains a unique clinically tested patented ingredient called celadrin ®, which is made from a special complex of esterified fatty acids (EFA’s). Celafen™ has the further advantage of having no dangerous side effects, such as those linked to NSAIDs. In addition research suggests that NSAID’s may actually inhibit the growth of cartilage in joints and so in the long term be detrimental to arthritis sufferers.

The most common symptoms of arthritis are pain, stiffness, reduced joint range of movement and limitations to normal daily activities, such as getting up from a chair, walking, balance and ascending/descending stairs.

Several pieces of published research, including two recent studies in the prestigious Journal of Rheumatology, have measured the effect that celadrin® has on all of the arthritic symptoms listed above with convincing results. The researchers found that celadrin ® improved each symptom just 30 minutes after the topical cream was applied, which is significantly faster than any other topical or oral form of pain relief for joint pain and stiffness.

Celafen™ comes as both a topical cream and as oral capsules and is a natural product that works by lubricating the cell membranes and repelling inflammatory chemicals responsible for the pain, stiffness and reduced mobility associated with arthritis

A published double blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial (the most scientifically validated) on 64 participants found that those taking oral capsules containing celadrin ® had more flexibility, fewer aches, less pain and were able to walk further distances than the placebo group after the 9 week trial period.

Taken orally Celafen ™ takes longer to take effect than the topical cream, although it has a more accumulative effect over time. The most effective results have been seen in people using the product both orally and topically.

UK GP Dr Donald Grant comments: “There is good evidence for the efficacy of long chain fatty acids in preparations such as Celafen ™ for the treatment of pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Obviously Celafen ™ will not be suitable for everyone and as the evidence suggests that results from the cream are seen fairly rapidly (within 30 minutes in many cases), therefore if no results are seen within a month I would suggest people stop using the product as it is clearly not working for them. But in my opinion it is worth trying because if preparations like Celafen help reduce arthritis sufferer’s dependence on NSAIDs, and there is good evidence to suggest that it might, this can only be a good thing.”

Celafen ™ is a natural formulation and is free from all parabens and propylene glycol.

Celafen ™ Cream costs £14.99 for a month’s supply: Celafen ™ Oral Capsules cost £14.99 for a month’s supply. The cost of the two products together in a Celafen ™ Combination Pack is £24.99 for a month’s supply. Celafen ™ is available from www.celafen.co.uk or call: 0871 871 9975

Celafen UK Jan 2006 Trial results

The UK consumer trial on 20 arthritis sufferers using Celafen cream, completed in January 2006, found that for 83% of participants their self – assessed pain rating was reduced from an average of approximately 7 out of 10 to 4 after just 30 minutes. The average pain rating was further reduced to 3 out of 10 after one week of use.

The test also included assessment of stiffness, with 92% of participants experiencing a decrease in stiffness and average stiffness ratings dropping from approximately 7 out of 10 down to 5 out of 10 after just 30 minutes, and then to just 3 out of 10 after one week’s use.

The trial also assessed various functionality tests including timed up and go movements, stair climb, stair descend and distance walking. Approximately 83% of participants experienced improvements in their general functionality within 30 minutes of applying the cream.

Boswellia & Commiphora Cream – a natural anti-inflammatory formulation

Two ancient spices, Boswellia Serrata (Frankincense) and Commiphora Molmol (Myrrh), have been found in combination to be AS successful at reducing pain and inflammation caused by arthritis than conventional NSAID’s, according to a UK trial by a doctor.

The two spices, which have been formulated into a unique cream, have a long medical history of relieving the inflammation associated with rheumatic and osteopathic forms of arthritis as well as other forms of joint inflammation. There have been over 20 published scientific studies carried out in India and China on these two ingredients in the last 15 years for the treatment of arthritis and other joint inflammation conditions.

But the first UK trial in 2004 using this unique combination was carried out by Dr Robert Jacobs, a GP from Devon on 30 of his arthritic patients, who says it’s the first time he’s come across the use of the spices in Europe for the specific treatment of joint inflammation.

Dr Jacobs says: “Both myself and my wife are arthritis sufferers and have been trying the cream for several weeks now and have found it to be as good, if not better, than conventional prescription anti-inflammatory such as Naproxen, Diclofenac, and Celebrex.

“In my limited experience of ‘no-drug’ arthritis creams, such as tiger balm that is very popular, this cream appears to be significantly more effective for the treatment of joint inflammation either from arthritis or from strain or trauma to the joint. I am surprised these spices have not been used already in a cream as their anti-inflammatory effects are well established and extensively researched elsewhere in the world.”

In addition a subsequent larger trial on 80 patients was carried out in Decemeber 2004 on Boswellia and Commiphora cream. It concluded that the cream had a statistically significant effect both on the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. Of those on the trial 83% stated that they felt the cream helped them with their arthritis.

Finally a human trial published in 2003 found that all those using Frankincense reported reduced knee pain, more knee flexibility, reduced swelling of the knee joint and an ability to walk much further. The scientists behind the study recommended it for osteoarthritis of the knee and saw possible therapeutic uses for other types of arthritis or joint inflammation.

Boswellia and Commiphora cream costs £14.99 (100ml) for a two-month supply. Call: 0871 871 9975 or visit www.skinshop.co.uk