Why Flex Naturally™ Contains Sodium
A four capsule serving of Flex Naturally™ provides 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate. Research has shown that this natural occurring proteoglycan is essential in maintaining healthy cartilage and joint function. The developers of glucosamine sulfate, Rotta Labs, discovered within two weeks of producing it that the moisture in the air would cause it to slowly deteriorate making it very unstable causing it too lose it’s effectiveness. In order to prevent this from occurring researchers found that stabilizing it with a base of sodium would protect it from the moisture in the air allowing it maintain its effectiveness. It’s also interesting to note that in the Nutrition Science News, May 2000, there was an article on glucosamine by Timothy J. Maher, Ph.D. On page three of that article under the subheading it had this to say, “The use of the non-salt glucosamine fails to provide bioavailable glucosamine because the compound is not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, it is metabolized by bacteria and excreted in the feces.”

A four capsule serving of Flex Naturally™ contains 120 mg of sodium to stabilize the 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate for maximum effectiveness. This is equivalent to the amount found in two large carrots, an extremely small amount and poses no health risks.

Importance of Sodium
Many people consider sodium taboo and try to eliminate it from their diet as much as possible. A normal man weighing 150 pounds contains in his body 21/2 to 3 ounces of sodium.1 Sodium is found in virtually all connective tissue, joints, bone tissue, cartilage, ligaments, synovial membranes, liver, spleen, muscles, stomach, brain, and blood. 2 About 0.2% is found in the liver, 0.2% in the brain, and 0.2% in the blood. Large amounts of sodium (0.9%) are contained in the cartilage, 0.7% in the lymph fluid, 0.7% in fibrous tissues and 0.8% in the synovial fluid.1

Sodium works with potassium to equalize the acid-alkali factor in the blood. Working with potassium, it regulates water balance in the body. Also, it works with potassium in muscle contraction and expansion and nerve stimulation. It keeps blood minerals soluble preventing them from forming deposits in the bloodstream. It acts with chlorine to maintain healthy blood and lymph systems, assists in purging carbon dioxide from the body, and is required for hydrochloric acid production in the stomach which is crucial for proper digestion and assimilation of proteins and minerals-nutrients essential for maintaining healthy joints. 2,3

Because sodium is so vital to the human body, it is found in the soil, in fruits and vegetables, grains, meats, and water. The only time sodium becomes a problem is when people eat processed foods and add it to their food in the form of table salt. When people develop high blood pressure one of the first things they may do is try to eliminate sodium which over time could create other health problems such as increased blood pressure. When Dr. John Laragh, a cardiologist at Cornell University conducted a study in which he introduced severe salt restriction in 100 patients with high blood pressure, he found it worked in about 1/3 of the subjects. However, in about half, or 50 of the patients, it had no effect at all. It is interesting that the low sodium-diet caused an increase in blood pressure in 20% of the patients. 4 This shows that there is more to lowering and controlling blood pressure than simply reducing your sodium intake. It entails a holistic approach or healthy lifestyle.

Instead of trying to eliminate sodium we need to eat a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lentils and other legumes, fresh clean water and juices, properly prepared lean cuts of fish, chicken, and turkey in moderation, and avoid the salt laden processed foods and added table salt. By eating NATURAL UNPROCESSED FOOD AND DRINK we would provide our bodies with the natural sodium we need everyday along with potassium and other important minerals, vitamins and vital nutrients necessary to keep not only our joints healthy, but our whole body would benefit as well.