Sponsored Antaeus Labs 'Achilles' review

[markam]

OK, the nice people at Antaeus Labs have given me one bottle of Achilles to review. One bottle will last me thirty days at 2 caps twice a day. Here is the product info from the Antaeus site: Antaeus Labs | Achilles (http://www.antaeuslabs.com/achilles.html)

Achilles
Ultimate Joint Support

By combining cutting-edge pharmaceutical-grade ingredients with tried-and-tested high-quality herbal extracts, new Achilles from Antaeus Labs brings you the most advanced joint-support formula on the market!

Every hero has a weakness. For many weightlifters and bodybuilders this is their joints. Tendons and ligaments bear the brunt of punishing weight-lifting sessions, commonly becoming inflamed and sore.

The connective tissue just can't keep up with the heavier and heavier weights lifted week after week.

Niggling pains become chronic injuries, often requiring a forced rest, a change of routine or the permanent dropping of some exercises altogether.
Ingredients:


Palmitoylethanolamide
40 years of scientific research has established Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) as one of the most important endogenous painkilling and anti-inflammatory compounds.
The naturally occurring fatty acid amide palmitoylethanolamide is an agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α). [1] PPAR-α agonists have been shown to be effective for both acute and chronic pain. [2]
PEA can modulate pain sensitivity (nociception) by regulating mast cells. [3] Mast cells release bioactive mediators like histamine (that dilates blood vessels leading to swelling, redness, and warmth [4]) and nerve growth factor (that produces inflammation and sensitization of pain-sensing neurons [5]).


Heteropterys Aphrodisiaca
Brazilian traditional medicine uses H. aphrodisiaca for, among other things, muscle and bone weakness – use that has been borne out recently when a study found that H. aphrodisiaca-treated trained rats had stronger tendons that could take a bigger load and more stress than untreated trained rats. [6]

“H. aphrodisiaca associated with endurance training contributed to more efficient remodeling of the extracellular matrix, resulting in more resistant tendons to support high loads from intense muscle contraction. These findings suggest that H. aphrodisiaca infusion is a potential aid to optimize tendon remodeling in athletes.” [6]


Kirenol
The plant Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckia orientalis) has been used for centuries in traditional chinese medicine (TCM) for its anti-inflammatory properties. One constituent of Siegesbeckia is Kirenol – which has recently been discovered to be a potent anti-inflammatory that also suppressed joint inflammation and inhibited cartilage and bone destruction in a rat model of arthritis. [7][8]


Cissus Quadrangularis
Asthisamharaka (Cissus Quadrangularis) is another herb that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to heal broken bones and injured ligaments and tendons. [9] Numerous studies show that Cissus is anti-osteoporotic and pro-osteogenic, and it’s long been a staple in the arsenal of athletes and bodybuilders with joint problems. [10][11]
“There was shortening of about two weeks in the duration of bone healing. The hastening in the fracture healing was attributed to the stimulation of all cells of mesenchymal origin, namely, the fibroblasts, chondroblasts and osteoblasts, by Cissus quandrangularis.” [10]


Zingiber Zerumbet
Zingiber Zerumbet is a species of ginger, the rhizome (root) of which has been used traditionally throughout Southeast Asia to treat pain and inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. [12] In addition to containing molecules such as 6-gingerol, which are very well-known anti-inflammatory modulators, some of the phytochemical constituents that make up Zingiber Zerumbet have been found to be potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. [13] Several studies have recently concluded that HDAC inhibition can reduce joint inflammation and protect cartilage. [14][15][16]

“In conclusion, inhibition of HDAC prevents joint inflammation and cartilage and bone destruction in experimental arthritis.” [14]

“HDAC inhibitors may therefore be novel chondroprotective therapeutic agents in arthritis by virtue of their ability to inhibit the expression of destructive metalloproteinases by chondrocytes.” [15]
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[markam]

Contd. At the moment I'm four weeks into a 8 week AL/AH/AE cycle, and I have been using SNS Cissus 3gms ed and Species Arthrolyze (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM,+) for joint health. I've stopped taking these two products and am just taking Achilles now, and from what I've read, Achilles takes about a week to kick in, so I will be patient, (been on it five days so far). I'm not familiar with any of the compounds in Achilles except Cissus, which I take every day. AFAIK the weaker (5%) extract of Cissus is meant to be better for joint health than the stronger extracts, but I suppose that may vary with different qualities of Cissus. The daily dose of Cissus in Achilles is 1g, but it's only part the product, so we will have to see how well it works. However, after five days without my previous joint supps, I am aware of a 'stiffness' that I haven't felt for a long time, which I would guess is due to a reduced dose of Cissus.

Anyway, I should mention that I lift most days in my very basic home gym, which is just a bench, squat rack and free weights, and 'try' to run at least three times a week.

Will update in a few days.

[markam]

Just received an email from Jake re Cissus, that I want to share with you. Excellent product support, I think you'll agree.


Hi Mark,

It's a full-spectrum 20:1 ethanol extract.  It was not standardized for
ketosterones... but, that said, neither are the very vast majority of the
studies which have examined the effects of cissus.  Just a few are here
below.

Clinics - Petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (Linn.) enhances bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and facilitates osteoblastogenesis (http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1807-59322009001000010&script=sci_arttext)

Clinical evaluation of cissus quadrangularis and moringa oleifera and osteoseal as osteogenic agents in mandibular fracture (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3343389/)

http://pharmacologyonline.silae.it/files/archives/2007/vol3/15_Rao.pdf

http://www.wellcorps.com/files/EffectOfCissusQuadrangularisInAcceleratingHealingO fFracture.pdf

Antiosteoporotic effect of ethanol extract ... [J Ethnopharmacol. 2003] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14611887)

Ethnomedicinal plants used to treat bone fr... [J Ethnopharmacol. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22668503)

Effect of Cissus quadrangularis Linn on the develop... [Clin Ter. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21912817)

Cissus quadrangularis ethanol extract upreg... [J Ethnopharmacol. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22902249) (this study attributes the
effects of Cissus to quercetin and resveratrol, which I doubt, but...)

Anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl acetate e... [J Ethnopharmacol. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21094244)

Effect of Majja Basti (therapeutic enema) and Asthi Shrinkhala (Cissus quadrangularis) in the management of Osteoporosis (Asthi-Majjakshaya) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3456847/) (Bizarre study.  They
didn't use an extract... just plant pulp.)

...Ah, that's probably enough for now.  My point is that there are dozens
of studies which show that the extract is of some value -- but I'm not
aware of any study, not one, which attributes this effect to
"ketosterones" solely.  So I think that it might be a mistake to
standardize the extract to 'em, at the expense of... well... everything
else.  (Constituents of Cissus quadrangularis. [Nat Prod Res. 2007] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17497424))

What do you think??

Thanks very much for trying the product, by the way.
All the best!
-Jake

[h2s]

Jake to me is everything you want to see in a company owner. Very few people have the approach to putting out great products that he does (as you can figure, Eric was one of the others I saw the same in). Replies like the above demonstrate it well for me.

[Jack O'Neill]

I'm in. Interested by this kind of product.

I used to take glucosamine 4g/day but after heavy workouts, joints are often painful

Want to see feelings after your cycle

[markam]

I'm in. Interested by this kind of product.

I used to take glucosamine 4g/day but after heavy workouts, joints are often painful

Want to see feelings after your cycle

Hi Jack, good to have you following.

--------------------------------------------
10th day, supplementing with Achilles.

Well, things have not gone as I hoped. I stopped taking SNS Cissus and Species Arthrolyze (Glucosamine, etc) when I started Achilles, and I noticed my joints were hurting more than usual after a few days. I decided to tough it out as Achilles is said to kick in after a week, but things got progressively worse, and I'm guessing it was the reduced dosage of Cissus. (I had previously been taking 3gms ed whereas Achilles contains 1gm ed. So what to do? Either take painkillers or restart taking my old joint sups? I don't want to skew the results of this log, but I also don't want to be in so much pain that I'm unable to work due to back pain.

After much deliberation, I have started taking the joint sups as before with Achilles. I understand that Achilles can bring long term healing benefit and better recovery, etc, so I will have to try and guage what difference Achilles is making for me, and as I had been supplementing with Cissus, etc for a long time, I feel I know my 'base level'.

I think I will need at least another week or so to tell how Achilles is helping, so I'll update then.

Thanks again to Antaeus for letting me log this, I think I may prove a good test subject:) (In other words, if Achilles can improve my joints, it'll probably work for anyone!)

[Rulk]

late as always, but definetly inerested in this.

[BBG]

Hey markam, don't worry about skewing the results. If anything, discontinuing your old supps right when you start could do that. I really hope you see added benefit of the achilles!

[markam]

Hey markam, don't worry about skewing the results. If anything, discontinuing your old supps right when you start could do that. I really hope you see added benefit of the achilles!

Good point. I've resumed my regular joint sups.

[markam]

16 days update.

I was thinking that maybe I will notice the difference that Achilles has made when I finish my 30 day trial, but I noticed a definite improvement today. My right knee can be quite painful when getting into the car, and I actually lift my knee slightly with my right hand to lessen the pain. This makes me sound in quite bad shape, but it's just specific movements that cause pain; I still squat, deadlift, and run regularly. Anyway, today is the first time for a long time that I didn't bother to 'help' my knee when getting in the car, because I didn't need too! This is a major improvement. Glad I could finally report a change for the positive.

[markam]

22 days update.

Nothing to report except that joints are good and withstanding a couple of days where I did two weights sessions a day. Will take today off, though.

[Scope75]

This product is something I'd like to use during a dry cycle of during PCT because my joints get dry when my E gets to low.

[milehighguy]

22 days update.

Nothing to report except that joints are good and withstanding a couple of days where I did two weights sessions a day. Will take today off, though.

markam - just curious to know if each bottle is supposed to last about a month? 4 a day? I am planning out my next run and this will be my joint support. Thanks

[markam]

markam - just curious to know if each bottle is supposed to last about a month? 4 a day? I am planning out my next run and this will be my joint support. Thanks

Yep, 120 caps. I'm dosing 2 twice a day with food.

[BBG]

nice feedback markam, thanks for logging the product

[markam]

nice feedback markam, thanks for logging the product

Thanks for the opportunity. I may try to get a bottle from Predator if they have any in stock so I can extend the run.

[Jack O'Neill]

Thanks for the opportunity. I may try to get a bottle from Predator if they have any in stock so I can extend the run.

Very interested by this product. Knees and elbows are painful after 7 weeks of cycke.

I used to take glucosamine but it doesn't work now apparently.

Markam, first results appeared after 16 days? Is this what you said?

[markam]

Very interested by this product. Knees and elbows are painful after 7 weeks of cycke.

I used to take glucosamine but it doesn't work now apparently.

Markam, first results appeared after 16 days? Is this what you said?

Sort of. I stopped taking Cissus and Species Arthrolyze when I started Achilles, but I'm guessing that my body missed the Cissus as I was suffering bad aches and pains after a few days. I topped up the amount of Cissus to 3gms which was my usual dosage and after a couple of days all was good. (Achilles contains 1 gm Cissus).

I think I will be able to give a clearer view when I've finished the bottle and I can judge how my body is reacting to not using Achilles.
We will see.

[Jack O'Neill]

Sort of. I stopped taking Cissus and Species Arthrolyze when I started Achilles, but I'm guessing that my body missed the Cissus as I was suffering bad aches and pains after a few days. I topped up the amount of Cissus to 3gms which was my usual dosage and after a couple of days all was good. (Achilles contains 1 gm Cissus).

I think I will be able to give a clearer view when I've finished the bottle and I can judge how my body is reacting to not using Achilles.
We will see.

My cycle so will be finished but it may be interesting for PCT or next future cycle. I will wait for your final review. Thx

[markam]

Achilles Final Review

The Good news:

I've waited until Achilles has cleared my system to try and be objective about it's benefits, or lack of. My recovery is taking noticeably longer, and I'm getting 'twinges' in a variety of places. I'm on week nine of a AL/AH cycle, and joint pain really hasn't been an issue, but since stopping Achilles I am suffering more from DOMS and most notably, some pain in wrists, elbows and knees.

The Bad news:

Didn't turn me into a sex god. Suppose you can't have everything, but the bottles are pretty sexy:)

Using the product:

My regular joint maintenance protocol is three grams Cissus every day and as Achilles contains 1 gm, I added some SNS Cissus 5% to make up the difference. I also use Species Arthrolyze which is a high strength Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM/Boron product and is the only one of it's kind that has worked for me, maybe it is the Boron and/or the fact that the glucosamine is 2g ed, or 4g if you double dose as recommended, dunno.

For me Achilles is a great product that could only be improved by upping the amount of Cissus to 3g a day. The cost of buying Cissus, Glucosamine, Arthrolyze ain't cheap, so if I didn't have to buy more Cissus, buying this product would be a no-brainer. I intend to try running Achilles with extra Cissus and without the Glucosamine and see how that feels.

I would not hesitate to use this product if I was having joint problems, but with extra Cissus added. So it's a strong buy recommendation from me.

[Scope75]

Great review and thanks for taking the time to write it.

[markam]

Achilles Update

After being 'off' Achilles for a few weeks I'm now thinking that I have to add it to my current joint supps. Although I'm not hurting bad, there's a lot of 'niggles' that weren't there when I was taking Achilles. Due to the fact I'm already using Cissus and Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM/Boron products, my monthly bill for joint care will be way higher than I'd bargained for, but I believe it's money well spent.

Having said that, if Antaeus could increase the amount of Cissus in Achilles, I'd guess it wouldn't add that much to the cost, and I wouldn't have to be so careful about leaving receipts 'laying' around.

Will put my order in for a few bottles. What price joint health, anyway?

[milehighguy]

Does seem like a lot of cash for joint health. I guess the alternative would be to stop working out which doesn't make much sense. I don't believe I have nearly the joint issues that you do but will be running Achilles for several months starting soon. Hoping it works well but it sounds like you had good success.

[Bucks]

Achilles Update

After being 'off' Achilles for a few weeks I'm now thinking that I have to add it to my current joint supps. Although I'm not hurting bad, there's a lot of 'niggles' that weren't there when I was taking Achilles. Due to the fact I'm already using Cissus and Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM/Boron products, my monthly bill for joint care will be way higher than I'd bargained for, but I believe it's money well spent.

Having said that, if Antaeus could increase the amount of Cissus in Achilles, I'd guess it wouldn't add that much to the cost, and I wouldn't have to be so careful about leaving receipts 'laying' around.

Will put my order in for a few bottles. What price joint health, anyway?

I agree with you here Markam. I have not stopped taking Achilles since I started it.

I also stack it with another joint compound because of my older joints and surgical joint repairs I have had done.

This will be the first time in about 5-6 yrs I will be able to continue regular lifting / cardio during the cold months if I continue to feel the joint relief I have right now .

Is it costly yes, but for me it is worth it.

[markam]

Actually, I don't think Achilles is that expensive, it's just that as I'm reticent to stop the joint sups I'm already taking, buying all three different products makes it costly. If Antaeus could just increase the cissus from 1g to 3g, that would cut my total cost a lot. But I will be adding Achilles now as I miss it's benefits.