System Saver contains Boswellia serrata (frankincense), Citrus reticulata (mandarin orange peel and other orange peels), Curcuma longa, Camelia sinensis (green tea), natural flavoring.

Boswellia serrata (Frankincense) is a moderate sized tree that grows in India, Northern Africa and the Middle East. When sections of bark are peeled away, it yields a gummy resin. Extracts of this resin have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as an anti-arthritic, astringent, stimulant, expectorant and antiseptic. The organic acids beta-boswellic acid, alpha-keto bosellic acid and acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid are the major active constituents. These compounds have been found to inhibit a number of pro-inflammatory and cell signaling pathway chemicals and cytokines (interleukin-1beta, TNF-alpha, 5-lipoxygenase, leukotrieneB4, toposiomerases, nitric oxide, 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, MAP kinases and Ikappa-beta-kinase) involved in chemotaxis, increased vascular permeability and brochoconstriction. They also are inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) which play a major role in cartilage destruction and tumor invasion and metastasis. In addition, they inhibit human leukocyte elastase(HLE) which has been implicated in the development of asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Unlike traditional anti-inflammatory drugs, which as a side effect, disrupt glycosaminoglycan synthesis and accelerate articular cartilage damage in arthritic conditions, Boswellia extract reduces the degradation of cartilage.

Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Boswellia extract in asthma, chronic bronchitis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and cancer chemo-prevention.

Frankincense has a centuries old history of safety and efficacy. As with all bio-active substances, however, we recommend against use if pregnant or nursing. Not recommended for pediatric use.

Check with your health care provider if you are taking other medications for possible interactions.

Click here for links to research articles and scientific studies on Boswellia serrata.

Citrus reticulata (mandarin orange) peel and other orange peels (C.aurantium-bitter orange, C.sinensis-sweet orange) are a source of the bioflavonoids of the class polymethoxylated flavones.

Included in this class are nobiletin, tangeretin, sinensetin, heptamethoxyflavone, tetramethylscutellarien and hexamethyl-o-quercetagetin.

Orange peel extract has been in use in Chinese medicine for centuries. Chen pi(Chinese mandarin orange peel) is traditionally used to move stagnant Chi (energy that flows through the meridians).

Other uses related to specific conditions include relief of gas, indigestion, heartburn, catarrh, chest congestion, and as an anti-inflammatory, carminative, cholagogue and tonic.

Recent studies on the polymethoxylated flavone components of orange peel have demonstrated a host of activities with preventive and therapeutic potential relevant to a number of conditions. These conditions include: arthritis, inhibition of enzymatic cartilage destruction, asthma and COPD, inflammatory conditions (acute and chronic), hyperlipidemia (lowers serum lipids), high cholesterol and LDL, hyperglycemia (glucose homeostasis), insulin resistance, heart disease, varicose veins, capillary permeability, Alzheimer's disease and Hepatitis C.

Flavonoids have been referred to as "nature's biological response modifiers" because of strong experimental evidence of their ability to modify the body's reaction to allergens, viruses and carcinogens, microbes & inflammation.

Flavonoids have been shown to strongly influence gene expression and cell signaling pathways that are involved in cancer and heart disease. They increase the activity of nitric oxide synthase which has the effect of keeping blood vessels healthy and relaxed, thereby preventing inflammation and lowering blood pressure, both of which are relevant to heart disease. Like the curcuminoids, flavonoids have matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitory activity which helps relieve chronic inflammation and inhibit cartilage destruction and tumor invasion(metastasis).

Flavonoids have a long history of safety in Chinese medicine as well as in functional foods. High doses are not necessary to derive the benefits expressed above.

Click here for links to research articles and scientific studies on Citrus reticulata.

Curcuma longa and other Curcuma species have been used for centuries in Asia and India where they are naturally found. They are used as spices and preservatives (turmeric) and as therapeutic agents within the Ayurevedic and Chinese medicine systems. The main bioactive constituents of Curcuma are curcuminoids. The various curcuminoids have been the subject of much research and evaluation of their bioactive properties.

Research has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, chemopreventive (early pre-cancer) and anti-cancer activities, as well as molecular biological action such as matrix-metalloproteinase(MMP) inhibitory activity, inhibition of arachadonic acid metabolism and inhibition of interleukin, TNF and cyclooxygenase2 activity.

Curcumin's anti-inflammatory action is exerted at several sites along the inflammatory pathway and is the result of several diverse mechanisms acting in concert (see studies section).

This anti-inflammatory activity has been demonstrated to be equivalent to that of Butazolidin, a potent prescription medication. In addition, if Curcumin is combined with a traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), it enhances the effect up to ten-fold.

Curcumin has demonstrated efficacy in relieving symptoms of arthritis as well as inhibiting the joint destructive activity of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Curcumin inhibits the activity of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) responsible for the degradation of cartilage as well as those involved in tumor metastasis. Matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) are also involved in perpetuating the chronic cycle of inflammation found to underlie many incurable chronic inflammatory diseases.

Curcumin has demonstrated chemopreventive activity against colon, duodenal, fore-stomach, mammary, leukemic, pancreatic, and oral and skin cancers.

Curcumin has been shown to support cardiovascular health by lowering serum lipids and total cholesterol, while promoting an increase in HDL (good cholesterol). Additionally, curcumin inhibits platelet aggregation and therefore improves conditions of platelet dysfunction.

Curcumin, most recently, has been investigated and found to be efficacious in suppressing the symptoms of Type II diabetes, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's.

Curcumin is a potent anti-oxidant, the activity of which has been reported to be greater than Vitamin E. Anti-oxidants protect tissue from free radical damage associated with tissue degradation, inflammation and aging changes.

Curcumin has a centuries old history of safety. We do, however, recommend that if you are taking blood thinners, chemotherapy, are pregnant or nursing, you do not use this product without consulting your health care professional. This product is not intended for pediatric use.

Click here for links to research articles and scientific studies on Curcuma longa.

Camelia sinensis is an evergreen shrub grown in Asia, Africa and parts of the Middle East. The leaves provide us with both green and black tea. Green tea has been in use both as a beverage and a therapeutic herb for thousands of years in these countries, and has a long history of safety and efficacy as a result. In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, practitioners used green tea as a stimulant, diuretic (to promote the excretion of urine), astringent (to control bleeding and help heal wounds), and to improve heart health. Other traditional uses of green tea include treating flatulence (gas), regulating body temperature and blood sugar, promoting digestion, and improving mental processes.

Lately, green tea has been the subject of much scientific research. Originally this research concentrated on the high anti-oxidant activity present, and its health benefits were attributed to this feature. Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals that damage cells and genetic material (DNA & RNA) and are involved in the aging process. Green tea's anti-oxidant activity is the result of the constituents known as polyphenols. The primary polyphenols are catechins and gallocatechins. Further research demonstrated that these compounds also possess anti-inflammatory, anti-cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitory activity. These activities (inflammation, free radical damage, increased cytokine and MMP activity) are instrumental in the processes underlying an array of conditions including: heart disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis, cancer, cartilage destruction, asthma, colitis (IBD/Crohn's), insulin resistance, diabetes and chronic inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis). Studies in these areas have shown the catechins and gallocatechins to be beneficial in these conditions. In addition, green tea has been shown to reduce elevated cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL (good cholesterol) levels.

Green tea has a centuries-old history of safety. We do, however, recommend that if you are taking blood thinners, chemotherapy, are pregnant or nursing, you do not use this product without consulting your health care professional. This product is not intended for pediatric use.

Click here for links to research articles and scientific studies on Camelia sinensis.

The information on the above ingredients is based on research found in respected scientific journals and funded by the National Institute of Health. This information is provided to help you make informed decisions regarding your and your animal's health. This synopsis of research into these ingredients falls outside the present regulatory framework for claims permitted on dietary supplements. Since dietary supplements are not drugs and therefore are not regulated by the FDA, we are required to make the following two statements: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.