Dr. Theo?s ground-breaking book, ?The Arthritis Cure? introduced millions to the benefits of
glucosamine and chondroitin years before the National Institute of Health confirmed the value of these important supplements just this year.
Dr. Theo?s own brand, AVOSOY? Complete, includes the finest ingredients and the correct forms and dosage levels of glucosamine and chondroitin other supplements often cannot match.
And now, Dr. Theo proudly introduces ASU, Avocado-Soybean-Unsaponifiable, a supplement that has shown to help millions improve their joint health without the side effects of prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Read more about ASU below or simply Order AVOSOY? Complete today and once again join others who are experiencing a better life by protecting their joint health years ahead of traditional medicine because of Dr. Theo?s continuing research.
ASU Information - Index
Introduction - What is ASU
How is ASU made?
How does ASU work?
Who should consider using ASU?
What are the side effects of using ASU?
ASU research
Does ASU interact with medications or other supplements?
Who should not use ASU?
Why not just eat more avocados and soy products rather than take ASU?
Many products will say “ASU” on them, which ones can I trust?
Report Your Experience With ASU Here
ASU Products
Introduction - What is ASU?
Avocado-Soybean
Unsaponifiable (or ASU) is an entirely new product that
has helped millions improve their joint health without the side effects
of prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers.
ASU is mixture of healthy substances
derived from small portions of avocado and soybean oils that can dramatically
improve joint health.
In the US, ASU is sold as a
dietary supplement for improving joint health. No prescription is required.
ASU should become a major addition
to the treatment of osteoarthritis, just as glucosamine and chondroitin
have become over the past few years after the release of the first edition
of the book The Arthritis Cure.
ASU has special features, however.
It is a totally vegetarian product, suitable for vegans
and anyone else wishing to avoid animal products. It works by a different
mechanism from other substances, is a once per day dose, and
even helps slow cartilage loss in severe cases
of osteoarthritis.
Finally, ASU saves money. ASU
users often partially or fully eliminate their expensive anti-inflammatory
medications (e.g. Celebrex® costs almost
$3 per day). The symptom improvements from ASU might also save money that
would otherwise be spent on physical therapy or surgery.
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How is ASU made?
Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiable or ASU is derived entirely from
vegetable sources. It is isolated from a certain fraction of the oil
from avocados and soybeans.
In fact, less than one percent of the avocado and soy oils make
up the unsaponifiable fraction (or portion) of these oils. The
unsaponifiable fraction is then stripped from the fibers that bind
it so it can be better absorbed when taken by mouth.
What is unsaponifiable? Saponifiable is a chemical term used to
describe a substance that can be mixed with lye to form soap. Saponifiable
oils, mixed with lye are the basis of almost all soap products
we use.
Unsaponifiable oil
fractions cannot form soap and, like other “good” fats,
have special health benefits when ingested. The avocado portion
of ASU has special properties of its own.
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How Does ASU Work?
ASU has been shown to improve joint health by stimulating the
production of new cartilage while reducing the breakdown of existing
cartilage.
This applies to both major cartilage components: the collagen
component that provides the framework and the large proteoglycan
molecules that give cartilage its shock absorbing and friction-free
properties.
Unlike other substances that can stimulate collagen production,
ASU causes cartilage cells to produce the four types of collagen
for the joint cartilage in the exact same proportion as is found
in normal, healthy joint cartilage.
In addition, ASU decreases pain, inflammation and the need for
pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, in the majority of
users. This alone is a major reason to use ASU. But the news is
even better. The safety data on ASU is spectacular, far superior
to the (often dangerous) pain relievers and NSAIDs.
Unlike other supplements or drug treatments for osteoarthritis,
ASU apparently works even better in those who have more severe
cartilage loss.
ASU appears to benefit
cartilage even in those who do not have any noticeable change
in their symptoms. This is similar to calcium
supplements helping with bone mineral density without affecting
a person’s symptoms (you can’t feel calcium helping
your bones, for instance). As a result, people should consider
staying on ASU supplements even if they require additional pain
relievers.
If you would like to see the mechanism of action of how ASU works,
see the section on ASU Research.
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Who should consider using ASU?
ASU should be considered as a joint health supplement for the following
people:
• Diagnosed with, or are at high risk for developing
osteoarthritis
Risks include: joint pain or stiffness, strong family history
of osteoarthritis, history of severe joint injury, orthopedic surgery,
cartilage tear or cartilage removal
• Using anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs (any on
the list; trade names at right)
List
of NSAIDs
• Using
pain relievers for joint pain or stiffness
These include
Tylenol® or
other brands of acetaminophen
• Using rub-on treatments for joint pain or stiffness
• Taking glucosamine or chondroitin who want additional
joint protection, pain relief or improvement in joint range of
motion
• Who have not found improvement in symptoms after
taking glucosamine and chondroitin for a period of several months
• Who desire a vegetarian joint health supplement
• Who are interested in preventive joint health
• Diagnosed with or at high risk for periodontal
(gum) disease (ASU is also used for this condition)
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What are the side effects of ASU?
There are no significant side effects compared to a placebo in
the controlled clinical studies of ASU. Nevertheless, anytime people
consume something by mouth, including an inactive placebo, various
foods, or even empty capsules, they can experience mild stomach
upset.
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Research Summary
The basic science evidence shows that ASU:
• Increases chondrocyte collagen synthesis without altering proportions
of collagen
• Stimulates the
expression of Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-b1, TGF-b2) , and
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI-1)
which indicates stimulation and repair of cartilage matrix
• Inhibited chondrocytes’ spontaneous production and IL-1
induced production of IL-6, IL-8, PGE2 and
stromelysin, chemicals
that are associated with the breakdown of joint cartilage.
• Inhibited chondrocytes’ of
IL-6, IL-8, PGE2 and stromelysin and collagenase
• Partially inhibits
negative effect of IL-1b on collagen synthesis
To view all of the research on ASU click here
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ASU Q&A - Other
Does ASU interact with medications or other supplements?
We are not aware of
any interactions at this time. We will be collecting data to
see if any tends develop, and report this on
this site, but the long history of use of ASU as a prescription
treatment is comforting. If you notice anything suspicious or if you just want to tell us how well you're doing with ASU, Report
Your Experience With ASU Here.
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Who should not use ASU?
ASU has not been studied
in children (age 17 or less), pregnant or nursing women. There’s no indication of harm from ASU,
but no evidence of safety, either. Don’t experiment if you’re
not sure and always consult with your physician before starting
any new drug or supplement, including ASU.
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Why not just eat more avocados and soy products rather than take
ASU?
Since only a small portion
of avocados and soybeans are the oil, and less than 1/100th of
the oil is the unsaponifiable portion,
and that this portion has to be separated from certain fibers to
be absorbed, it is unlikely you’d see significant benefits
from eating (even large amounts) of avocados and soy products.
Furthermore, avocados have to be picked and processed at just
the right time. Too young or too old and the concentration of the
desired material is too low.
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Many products will say “ASU” on them, which
ones can I trust?
This is going to be a big issue, especially at first. Poorer quality products
will appear quickly, this seems to happen when any new category is introduced,
especially when expensive raw materials are involved.
We will help sort out which products are worthwhile and report them on
drtheo.com.
One general rule, beware of anything that says “Avocado and/or Soy
Oil.” This is not the same thing as ASU and does not have the same
function. Only about 1% of these oils are the unsaponifiable fraction
and even then, this fraction has to be stripped of its non-digestible
fiber before you can even absorb the active ASU.
When a product is produced, each batch should be tested for potency before
being shipped. Very few products have had such testing, and few are even
manufactured in facilities fully compliant with industry-established good
manufacturing practices (or GMPs).
Ideally, an ASU product should be produced in a facility that not only
makes supplements, but one that is FDA-approved to manufacture pharmaceuticals.
Organizations such as consumerlab.com, in our opinion are really useless
since they apparently test only one batch of a product before declaring
it to be “acceptable.” This makes as much sense as determining
the quality of the teaching at a school by picking one child at random
and testing that child, and no others. Obviously, a larger number of tests
must be performed to get a meaningful idea of the quality as a whole.
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Report
Your Experience With ASU Here
Be
sure to include the brand of the ASU product you’re taking and the
dose (how many milligrams or mg per day). Also list and any other supplements
or drugs you typically use on a regular basis.
Check back to this section for updates or give us your e-mail
and we’ll notify you as soon as specifics become available.
Where to Find ASU Products
AVOSOY? Products
(available in the US without prescription)
