Comfort Assist

When your aches and pains start to slow you down, even when it’s as simple as a headache, or chronic pain that affects your daily life, Comfort Assist helps you find the balance you need to live your life on your terms.

Using Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and whole-plant CBD, Comfort Assist capsules work to reduce and alleviate discomfort in your body caused by pain and inflammation.

Here is what you can expect from the active ingredients we combine to help relieve discomfort:

• Reduced Pain – Curcumin can help reduce pain and inflammation
• Anti-Inflammatory – Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a potent anti-inflammatory often used for pain due to inflammation
• Decreased Pain – Palmitoylethanolamide (P.E.A.) is an endocannabinoid that studies have shown to have strong activity against pain
• Enhances Absorption – BioPerine^(R) is a key ingredient that studies indicate can enhance the absorption of active ingredients
• Find the Balance – Whole-plant CBD can increase the effectiveness of the other ingredients and assists the body in achieving homeostatic balance.

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is classified as a “Phyto-cannabinoid.” This means that:

• CBD is a molecule produced by the Cannabis plant.
• Classified as a “Negative Allosteric Modulator” (can help to reduce overproduction of neurotransmitters – possible mechanism of action in the neurotransmission of pain signals).
• “Synthetic” and/or “Isolate” CBD does NOT come from nature.
• Although psychoactive, CBD does not cause intoxication.
• Thought to be responsible for the majority of Cannabis’ therapeutic claims.
• Reduces undesirable effects of THC.
• Has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth, not kill cancer cells.
• Activates Adenosine, Serotonin and Vanilloid receptors which explains CBD’s diverse therapeutic claims

Curcumin is the yellow pigment associated with the curry spice Turmeric, and to a lesser extent Ginger. It is a small molecule that is the prototypical 'Curcuminoid', and has effects similar to other polyphenols but unique since it is a different class of polyphenol (relative to the other classes of 'flavonoid', 'stilbene', etc.)

What Does Curcumin Do?

Curcumin exhibits an array of positive effects on the human body. Most notably, it is an antioxidant which can regulate metabolic reactions. The use of curcumin provides a potential remedy for joint inflammation. It lowers swelling and enables better movement and functioning at the site.

How Does Curcumin Work?

Subsequent to the first seminal paper published in 1949 in Nature, numerous preclinical studies have provided a solid basis for examining curcumin’s efficacy against human diseases. Common to all of these studies have been the safety, tolerability, and non-toxicity of this polyphenol, even at doses up to 8 g per day. The underlying mechanism for curcumin’s clinical efficacy seems to be modulation of numerous signaling molecules. However, because of the complex nature of the diseases, the underlying mechanism in many cases remains unclear.

More specifically, Curcumin has been found to:

• Alleviates Pain
• Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agent
• Helps Arthritic Conditions
• Natural Bone Protective Agent
• Prevents Cartilage Degeneration
• Helps Arthritic Conditions

The Multiple Target Molecule - A Key Player in the Endocannabinoid System

A unique fatty acid that can be found in eggs and a variety of plant sources, and which is also produced endogenously (within our own bodies), Palmitoyl-ethanol-amide (PEA) plays an important role in the body's systematic response to pain and inflammation.

What Does P.E.A. Do?

Palmitoylethanolamide (P.E.A) is an endocannabinoid-like molecule which our bodies produce as needed to deal with bodily stress, injury, or infection. It serves as part of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS): a complex communication network or cell-signaling system throughout our bodies which helps regulate a variety of functions, including protecting nerve cells, preventing arthritis and cardiovascular disease, and countering inflammation.

Is P.E.A. a Cannabinoid?

Although P.E.A itself shares many of the same functions as the phytocannabinoids in CBD (which is derived from cannabis oil), it is produced naturally by most mammals, so it receives a different medical and legal classification.

Some common food sources of PEA include milk, peas, tomatoes, corn, soybeans, soy lecithin, and peanuts.

P.E.A. and Pain:

A 2017 meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of P.E.A for pain relief. Eight randomized controlled trials accounting for 743 patients receiving PEA and 460 patients given either placebo or no treatment showed a significantly greater pain reduction in those given PEA. Daily dosages ranged from 300mg to 1200mg, and treatment duration ranged from 10 to 180 days. Interestingly, there was no association between longer treatment durations and pain efficacy.

The authors found one trial that compared 2 weeks of use of P.E.A. versus ibuprofen in 24 patients with arthritis of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint). Patients given PEA has significantly decreased pain compared to those given ibuprofen. Ibuprofen treatment also resulted in 3 patients to have the side effect of a stomachache, compared the PEA group which reported no side effects.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a chemical found in green plants, animals, and humans. It can also be made in a laboratory. MSM is an excellent source of the critical mineral, Sulfur.

Sulfur is a mineral found naturally within our bodies, as well as fruits, vegetables, milk, and animal products. But, many people may not get enough sulfur in their diets, especially as they age, which can have many health detriments. Sulfur is used for many processes in the body, including helping proteins hold their shape – without this, the proteins may lose their functions.

Sulfur can be supplemented in the body in a form known as methylsulfonylmethane, also known as MSM. This is an organic form of sulfur that can be found in foods we eat, such as raw, unprocessed milk, or you can take it as a supplement.

How Does MSM Work?

The sulfur mineral is a part of amino acids and actively influences the cellular functions as well as protein synthesis in your body. When a patient suffering from frequent flare-ups takes a sulfur supplement, the compounds in it can alleviate the symptoms of arthritis by stimulating the production of connective tissues and cartilage in the joints. It also acts by slowing or hindering the nerve impulses that send the pain messages to the brain.

What is this product used for?

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is used by some people to help with pain, especially from arthritis. Others use it to help with an upset stomach or decrease muscle damage caused by exercise. Some people believe it helps to boost the immune system, fight infections, or help with allergies. It may also be used by some people to help fight skin conditions or hemorrhoids.

Phenylalanine is an amino acid, a "building block" of protein. There are three forms of phenylalanine: D-phenylalanine, L-phenylalanine, and the mix made in the laboratory called DL-phenylalanine.

The stereoisomer D-phenylalanine (DPA) can be produced by conventional organic synthesis, either as a single enantiomer or as a component of the racemic mixture. It does not participate in protein biosynthesis although it is found in proteins in small amounts - particularly aged proteins and food proteins that have been processed. The biological functions of D-amino acids remain unclear, although D-phenylalanine has pharmacological activity at niacin receptor 2. [14]

DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) is marketed as a nutritional supplement for its purported analgesic and antidepressant activities. DL-Phenylalanine is a mixture of D-phenylalanine and L-phenylalanine. The reputed analgesic activity of DL-phenylalanine may be explained by the possible blockage by D-phenylalanine of enkephalin degradation by the enzyme Carboxypeptidase A.

What is this product used for?

Your body needs phenylalanine and other Amino Acids to make proteins. It is crucial for the production of other molecules such as:

• Tyrosine, an Amino Acid produced directly from phenylalanine.
• Epinephrine and Norepinephrine, when you encounter stress, these molecules are vital for the “fight or flight” response.
• Dopamine, a molecule involved in feelings of pleasure in your brain as well as forming memory and learning skills.

Since phenylalanine is used to make these molecules, it has been used for, and currently being studied for its application as an adjunct for depression as well as pain control.

Bioperine is an extract obtained from black pepper fruits, and so contains as much as 95% of the extract. It is usually administered together with medications or food nutrients to increase the availability of the active substance in such food or drugs. When administered alone, it won’t have any active substance to enhance.

What is this product used for?

Bioperine works as that important supplement that ensures bioavailability of potent medications and food nutrients in your bloodstream, making them more available for action. Bioperine doesn’t increase the effectiveness of active substances in your foods or medications, so it’s not a bioefficacy supplement. But it makes such medications and nutrients more bioavailable so your body can effectively use them.