Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I have been dealing with chronic Achilles tendonitis for months now. I have done physical therapy and used an anti-inflammatory patch. Is there anything else I can take to help? Thank you.” — Barbara C., Naples, FL

A. Dear Barbara, While I have some safe and effective nutrients that can help you, I do encourage you to consult with your healthcare practitioner. I can make some recommendations, but that never replaces a doctor’s care and oversight.

I would first recommend taking a formula that contains a special blend of boswellia and curcumin. These two Indian plants exhibit very effective anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to promoting tissue repair. Take 1 softgel of this combination twice daily. When looking for a formula, keep in mind that standard curcumin is very poorly absorbed, so make sure to choose a curcumin with excellent absorption that has been proven in published human studies. The best form I have ever found uses micronized curcumin blended with turmeric essential oils in a patented process. This curcumin has been shown in published human studies to be up to 10 times better absorbed than standard curcumin. It’s also important to find a formula that features a boswellia extract that has filtered out the majority of beta-boswellic acid to 5% or less. Unlike most boswellic acids, beta-boswellic acid is actually pro-inflammatory. Removing it greatly enhances the potency of the boswellia extract. You also want a boswellia extract that includes at least 10% or more of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), the most active component of boswellia.

To heal the tendon and improve its elasticity, I prefer a multi-ingredient formula specific to this type of tissue. It should include the active forms of vitamins B6 and B12, along with magnesium, manganese, bromelain, zinc, vitamin C, niacinamide, and boswellia. One of the most crucial ingredients is manganese. You need at least 36 mg of manganese to have an impact, so make sure the dosing of this critical mineral is adequate. I recommend taking 1 capsule of this blend three times daily.

Follow this regimen for at least three to six months, as these types of tissues take a long time to heal.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally