Home Ingredients FlexPro MD® (Krill Oil, Astaxanthin and Hyaluronic Acid Joint Complex)
Joint Health

FlexPro MD® (Krill Oil, Astaxanthin and Hyaluronic Acid Joint Complex)

Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

FlexPro MD® is a joint-health complex that combines krill oil, astaxanthin, and lower-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. It has been tested in one 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100 adults with mild osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, where it reduced pain and improved function versus placebo. The trial was funded by NOVAREX, with ingredients supplied by Valensa.

Studied Dose One capsule once daily for 12 weeks in the mild-osteoarthritis trial (krill oil, astaxanthin, and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid); the report did not state per-ingredient milligram amounts.
Active Compound A complex of krill oil (a source of EPA and DHA), astaxanthin, and lower-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid.

Benefits

Joint comfort

In a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial of adults with mild knee or hip osteoarthritis, the krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid complex reduced pain (K-VAS and K-WOMAC pain scores) and improved joint function versus placebo.

Supported by Trial 1

Joint lubrication (hyaluronic acid component)

Hyaluronic acid is one component of the complex and contributes to joint-fluid lubrication. The trial measured pain and function scores, not lubrication directly.

Supported by Trial 1

Anti-inflammatory rationale (not measured in the trial)

Krill oil supplies EPA and DHA and astaxanthin is an antioxidant carotenoid, both with anti-inflammatory rationale. The trial did not measure inflammatory markers.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Multi-target joint support

Krill-oil omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin act on inflammatory and oxidative signaling, while hyaluronic acid contributes to joint fluid, addressing joints from more than one angles.

2

Antioxidant and omega-3 activity

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant and krill oil supplies EPA and DHA, which may modulate the oxidative and inflammatory signaling associated with joint discomfort.

Clinical trials

1
Krill Oil, Astaxanthin and Hyaluronic Acid Complex in Mild Knee or Hip Osteoarthritis: RCT
PubMed

A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100 adults with mild knee or hip osteoarthritis (per-protocol n=75). Funded by NOVAREX, ingredients supplied by Valensa. (Hill et al. 2023, Nutrients)

Adults (n=100) with mild osteoarthritis of the knee or hip.

At 12 weeks the complex reduced pain (K-VAS 20.8 vs 10.6 mm, p=0.0105; K-WOMAC total -13.0 vs -5.5, p=0.0489) and improved investigator- and patient-rated function versus placebo. NOVAREX funded the trial and Valensa supplied the ingredients.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — adverse events in the trial were minimal.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.
Contains krill oil (a crustacean shellfish source); people with a shellfish allergy should avoid it.

Important Drug interactions

Anticoagulants: krill-oil omega-3 fatty acids may have a mild additive effect on bleeding; monitor.
Anti-inflammatory drugs — additive effect possible.
Tell your doctor if you take medication for arthritis.

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Frequently asked questions about FlexPro MD® (Krill Oil, Astaxanthin and Hyaluronic Acid Joint Complex)

What is FlexPro MD?

FlexPro MD® is a joint-health complex that combines krill oil, astaxanthin, and lower-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. It has been tested in one 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100 adults with mild osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, where it reduced pain and improved function versus plac…

What is FlexPro MD used for?

FlexPro MD is researched primarily for Joint Health. In a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial of adults with mild knee or hip osteoarthritis, the krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid complex reduced pain (K-VAS and K-WOMAC pain scores) and improved joint function versus placeb…

What is the recommended dosage of FlexPro MD?

The clinically studied dose is One capsule once daily for 12 weeks in the mild-osteoarthritis trial (krill oil, astaxanthin, and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid); the report did not state per-ingredient milligram amounts. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is FlexPro MD safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, FlexPro MD is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated — adverse events in the trial were minimal. Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. FlexPro MD is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does FlexPro MD interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Anticoagulants: krill-oil omega-3 fatty acids may have a mild additive effect on bleeding; monitor. Anti-inflammatory drugs — additive effect possible. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for FlexPro MD?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for FlexPro MD as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Hill WS, Dohnalek MH, Ha Y, et al. A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Krill Oil, Astaxanthin, and Oral Hyaluronic Acid Complex on Joint Health in People with Mild Osteoarthritis. Nutrients. 2023;15(17)..PubMedUsed to support: 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 100 adults with mild knee or hip osteoarthritis: the krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid complex reduced pain (K-VAS and K-WOMAC) and improved function versus placebo. Funded by NOVAREX, with ingredients supplied by Valensa.