Ronkonkoma, NY-based NBTY has introduced Osteo Bi-Flex EASE, a daily mini-tab to promote joint comfort through a collagen-based formula. One Osteo Bi-Flex EASE mini-tab a day supplies vitamin D3, and Joint Shield, an herbal ingredient that helps with occasional joint flare-ups, according to the company. The formula also provides a natural source of collagen called UC-II that has been shown to improve joint comfort.
 
“Osteo Bi-Flex EASE mini-tabs are 80% smaller than standard joint health supplements and are free of gluten and shellfish,” said Osteo Bi-Flex senior brand manager Albert So. “With Osteo Bi-Flex EASE, we have designed a joint health supplement that is easy to take and provides the benefits of collagen UC-II with our proprietary Joint Shield to support mobility and comfort.” 
 
Recent research shows that a daily 40mg dose of UC-II collagen, as represented in Osteo Bi-Flex EASE mini-tabs, can be effective in improving joint comfort, the company cited.
 
“As we age, our bodies lose collagen and supplementation with this compound may become more important, as collagen is the main component of our connective tissue and plays an intricate role in joint health. The particular standardized form of type II collagen contained in Osteo Bi-Flex EASE has been shown to promote joint comfort,” says author and joint health expert, Dr. James Rippe, editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 
 
A survey commissioned last year by Osteo Bi-Flex found that nearly 7 in 10 Americans over 34 years of age experience occasional joint stiffness or other concerns. The survey also found that 62 percent of Gen Xers – now in their late 30s and 40s – are concerned about their joints.