Advice sought

Curlew

hello

Has anyone tried Activ8 Joint Complete? it all sounds good in the video, but does it work? and is it safe?

Lane

Hi @Curlew

I understand that you have arthritis in your hands and feet and are looking for some advice with supplements. I have attached a link from our website, information for you to have a look at:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-alternative-supplements/

Thank you for getting in touch with us and do continue to post and connect with our members.

Best wishes.

Eunomias

That is not an answer to the question. I can see no reference to the product Activ8 Joint Complete in the link which you provided.

So I repeat the question:

"Has anyone tried Activ8 Joint Complete? it all sounds good in the video, but does it work? and is it safe?"

Ellen

Apologies @Curlew for hijacking your thread I just want to welcome @Eunomias

I agree there is no actual reply to the question above, but I think having done a search here:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?query=activ8&scope=site&source=community

it might be because no-one here has actually tried it, having discussing it with other members. Therefore not much is known other than a video (referenced in a few of the threads) and reviews on the actual site which as you probably know might be biased in favour of positive outcomes.

I found this thread, from those in the search, above the most useful myself:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/60016/new-supplement

Should you decide to give it a try please do let us know whether it helps.

My best wishes

Ellen.

jonr

Hello @Curlew,

As Activ8 is hellishly expensive I bought all the constituent ingredients separately - it didn't work for me.

I spoke to my Orthopaedic Surgeon about this and he wasn't surprised because most of the ingredients are aimed at repairing damaged Cartilage and as I have absolutely none left in either of my knees there was nothing to repair. He explained that cartilage has no blood supply so once it's gone, it's gone.

I also found about 6 weeks in that my symptoms were getting worse - hot, achy and throbbing legs, sharp stabbing pains in the hamstrings and cruciate ligaments and more locks than usual. I traced it to the Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Eggshell membrane and Type 2 Collagen. I was good with the Turmeric and Boswellia which I still take today.

So, if you've got a goodly amount of cartilage left then it could well work for you but if you find as I did you're feeling worse, not better, it may be a reaction to some of these ingredients which for all I know may have clashed with my prescribed meds.

Good luck, fingers crossed!

Jon

Ianoonan

Hi Curlew,

I was interested to see your question as I am about 10 days into taking these supplements for the first time and I can feel a difference in my hips and also an improvement in my hands. This was totally unexpected and I’m fully prepared for it to be a lucky blip that won’t last but I have to say it’s taken me by surprise. I feel like I can move in a way I haven’t been able to for a very long time. The pain isn’t gone but there is a reduction for sure. I am definitely going to keep taking them and can report back in another few weeks whether it’s had a lasting effect and whether I can truly recommend them.

I honestly don’t know what else could have brought about this change as I’ve made no other changes to my physiotherapy, to my diet or any other changes in my life. Prior to this I felt like I’d tried everything but got no relief. (Apart from a turmeric massage oil that actually does offer some relief too).

I can report back in another few weeks if you want!

snozzel1st

Hi, I also trying active 8 complete tabs and fingers crossed.

I will report

Lizziebeth

I’ve taken active 8 for about 6 months. Not sure if it’s rebuilding any cartilage, but my pain is less, so will continue with it.

Wendy1234

Found this on the trustpilot website

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/activ8.online

ASA looks at implied health claims for food supplement and doctor testimonials
POSTED BY
LUCY SPINKS
|
3 JULY 2024
|
3 min read
The ASA has ruled that a number of ads for Nutritional Sciences Ltd’s supplements breached the CAP Code as they contained misleading and unsubstantiated health claims Nutritional Sciences Ltd - ASA | CAP. The ruling examined the situation where there was a click through link to products rather than an immediate association and the use of an alleged testimonial from a doctor, ‘Dr. Paul O’Connell’.

The ads were for the ‘Activ8 Joint Complete’ product, a supplement that Nutritional Sciences Ltd claimed on its website:

‘Relieves soreness, stiffness and discomfort’
‘Prevents inflammation, damaged cartilage, and bone decay’
‘Facilitates joint repair & recover’
‘Improves movement and flexibility’
These claims were often accompanied by testimonials from Dr. Paul O’Connell.

The ASA received two complaints with the following challenges:

The claims that Activ8 Joint Complete could treat or cure human disease breached the Code.
The specific health claims in the ads, which must be authorised on the Great Britain Register of nutrition and health claims, breached the Code.
The claim that Dr. Paul O’Connell was the ‘NHS’s leading joint expert’ was misleading and should be substantiated.
The ASA upheld the first and second issues, stating that it was likely the wording would be understood by consumers as treatment for arthritis or other degenerative joint conditions, or a preventative treatment for the effects of ageing on the joints. Consequently, the claims were prohibited under the CAP Code. Crucially, it did not matter that the ads did not attribute the claims to a specific product, rather it was enough for the ASA to determine that the ad was for that supplement as the ads linked through to the website where the supplement was sold.

The ASA upheld the third issue as Nutritional Sciences Ltd did not provide any evidence to substantiate this claim, or that Dr. Paul O’Connell was registered as a medical doctor on the General Medical Council’s Register. The ASA also noted that had evidence been provided, the issue would still be upheld as the CAP Code states that health claims referring to the recommendation of an individual health professional are not acceptable in marketing communications for food supplements.

The ASA ruled that the ads must not appear again in the forms complained of, and told Nutritional Sciences Ltd that it cannot make claims that its products could treat human disease or refer to the recommendation of an individual health professional in its marketing for such products. The matter was referred to CAP’s Compliance team.

This ruling demonstrates the importance of compliance with ASA investigations and adherence to the CAP Code in the context of health claims.

Date of experience: 30 September 2024

Anna

Hi @Wendyaucock and welcome to the online community,

Thank you for posting the ASA findings about Activ8 - an interesting read and conclusion. From the posts above, it looks like some people have found some benefit from it and others not so much, so I guess there may be some good ingredients in it somewhere. I find the recommendation by the ‘medical doctor’ more worrying, since his name doesn’t even appear on the GMC register…

I hope you continue to post on the forum and also that you find it useful reading about other people’s experiences if in some way they help you.

Anna ( Moderator)