A tree resin extract that blocks a branch of the body's inflammatory machinery that ordinary anti-inflammatory drugs leave alone. The strongest, most repeated finding is modest knee pain and stiffness relief within one to two months. Blood sugar and cholesterol also improve in diabetes. Apart from mild stomach upset, harms look like those of a placebo. Benefit size remains uncertain. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein | < 1.0 mg/L | Tracks the inflammatory signal the extract targets |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate | < 15 mm/hour (men), < 20 mm/hour (women) | Slower-moving confirmation of the inflammation trend |
| Hemoglobin A1c | 4.8–5.4% | Detects the metabolic benefit and any excessive glucose lowering |
| Fasting glucose | 75–86 mg/dL | Catches additive hypoglycemia when combined with glucose-lowering drugs |
| Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase | < 25 U/L (men), < 20 U/L (women) | Safety surveillance for hepatic load |
| LDL cholesterol | Individualized against cardiovascular risk; track change from own baseline | Captures the lipid shift seen in the diabetes trials |
| Validated joint pain and function score | Change from own baseline; 15 points on a 100-point scale is meaningful | Converts a subjective symptom into a comparable number |
Cadence: Baseline, repeated at eight to twelve weeks, then every six to twelve months during continued use; weekly glucose through the first month where glucose-lowering medication is already in place.