Just mixed up my first batch of a homebrew transdermal joint gel. The formula for the carrier is:
50% Aloe (99.3 % Pure)
20% Water
10% PG
10% Peppermint Oil
10% IPM
Carbomer 934 and Triethanolamine to desired consistency
The solutes comprise of:
44.4% MSM
16.6% Glucosamine Sulfate
16.6% N-Acetyl Glucosamine
22.2% Chondroitin Sulfate
Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin sulfate have relatively poor bioavailability (26% and 13% respectively). I chose the ingredients in the carrier to provide a balance between delivering the solutes to the targeted deep joint tissue and increasing plasma blood solute concentrations by bypassing first pass metabolism. In addition to having poor bioavailability, glucosamine sulfate also has a very short half life in the bloodstream. In most of the clinical cases I found, blood concentrations (after oral administration) peaked between 1.1 and 2 hours after ingestion and then fell off quickly. While there is 50% less glucosamine in n-acetyl glucosamine as compared to glucosamine sulfate, the half life is much longer. Studies have shown that after oral administration of n-acetyl glucosamine, blood plasma levels remained high as long as 48 hours after ingestion. N-acetyl glucosamine has another unique benefit in that like chondroitin it can inhibit the release of the leukocyte-elastase enzyme, thus reducing cartilage degradation.
I chose to include MSM as a solute due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. MSM is a derivative of DMSO. I found that my joints “ached” much less during my last couple homebrew cycles. I can only assume it was the addition of the DMSO that helped.
My goal was to create a carrier that would allow me to apply approximately 1000 mg’s of MSM, 750 mg’s of glucosamine and 500 mg’s of chondroitin a day. At a concentration of 50 mg’s/mL, this would equate to a volume of 45 mL/day. If applied twice per day, this volume was not practical. There simply is not enough skin around the joints I needed to target. Thus, I mixed the solutes in the carrier at 100 mg’s/mL. While this concentration may seem high, I found that MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin were all very soluble. In addition, after application, there is no sign of the solutes on the skin. They appear to have absorbed completely.
At 31 years old, my joints have been hacked. Between professional Kick-Boxing and Skiing, my shoulder, elbow and knees are always aching. I underwent ACL (Knee) replacement surgery in May and I have been unable to lift more than a 10 RM weight on bench due to my shoulder injuries. I am constantly looking for something that may help. I will report the results.
BTW, my sinuses are also very clear from the peppermint oil.
50% Aloe (99.3 % Pure)
20% Water
10% PG
10% Peppermint Oil
10% IPM
Carbomer 934 and Triethanolamine to desired consistency
The solutes comprise of:
44.4% MSM
16.6% Glucosamine Sulfate
16.6% N-Acetyl Glucosamine
22.2% Chondroitin Sulfate
Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin sulfate have relatively poor bioavailability (26% and 13% respectively). I chose the ingredients in the carrier to provide a balance between delivering the solutes to the targeted deep joint tissue and increasing plasma blood solute concentrations by bypassing first pass metabolism. In addition to having poor bioavailability, glucosamine sulfate also has a very short half life in the bloodstream. In most of the clinical cases I found, blood concentrations (after oral administration) peaked between 1.1 and 2 hours after ingestion and then fell off quickly. While there is 50% less glucosamine in n-acetyl glucosamine as compared to glucosamine sulfate, the half life is much longer. Studies have shown that after oral administration of n-acetyl glucosamine, blood plasma levels remained high as long as 48 hours after ingestion. N-acetyl glucosamine has another unique benefit in that like chondroitin it can inhibit the release of the leukocyte-elastase enzyme, thus reducing cartilage degradation.
I chose to include MSM as a solute due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. MSM is a derivative of DMSO. I found that my joints “ached” much less during my last couple homebrew cycles. I can only assume it was the addition of the DMSO that helped.
My goal was to create a carrier that would allow me to apply approximately 1000 mg’s of MSM, 750 mg’s of glucosamine and 500 mg’s of chondroitin a day. At a concentration of 50 mg’s/mL, this would equate to a volume of 45 mL/day. If applied twice per day, this volume was not practical. There simply is not enough skin around the joints I needed to target. Thus, I mixed the solutes in the carrier at 100 mg’s/mL. While this concentration may seem high, I found that MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin were all very soluble. In addition, after application, there is no sign of the solutes on the skin. They appear to have absorbed completely.
At 31 years old, my joints have been hacked. Between professional Kick-Boxing and Skiing, my shoulder, elbow and knees are always aching. I underwent ACL (Knee) replacement surgery in May and I have been unable to lift more than a 10 RM weight on bench due to my shoulder injuries. I am constantly looking for something that may help. I will report the results.
BTW, my sinuses are also very clear from the peppermint oil.