1. What is CELL-FX®?
2. What is ChemBioPrint®?
3. What may CELL-FX be used for?
4. How is CELL-FX different from other chondroitin-based products?
5. What is chondroitin?
6. What is the difference between chondroitin and glucosamine?
7. What evidence is there to support the use of chondroitin for joint pain or osteoarthritis?
8. How does CELL-FX work?
9. When can I expect to see benefits?
10. Can CELL-FX help prevent, treat, or relieve symptoms related to cancer?
11. I have a bone or joint injury. Can CELL-FX help me recover?
12. Where is CELL-FX made?
13. Can individuals under 18 use CELL-FX?
14. Are there any side effects?
15. Is CELL-FX safe to use long-term?
16. What about interactions with other drugs?
17. I have diabetes. Would it be safe for me to take CELL-FX?
18. I have high blood pressure. Would it be safe for me to take CELL-FX?
19. Can I take CELL-FX if I am pregnant or nursing?


1. CELL-FX® is a proprietary powdered natural product derived from shark cartilage. Each capsule contains 400 mg of a standardized shark cartilage extract comprised of chondroitin sulphate. Non-medicinal ingredients include: gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate. The CELL-FX extract is 100% water soluble and is standardized to ensure consistency from batch to batch.
 


2. ChemBioPrint stands for Chemical and Biological Fingerprinting. The following three steps are used in producing ChemBioPrint products:
Chemical fingerprinting is the identification and “print” of the active chemical components of
CELL-FX.
Biological fingerprinting identifies the biological effect of the CELL-FX through a series of laboratory
evaluations.
The quality assurance of precise manufacturing leads to measurable consistency from batch to
batch.
 


3. CELL-FX is indicated to help relieve symptoms of bone and joint pain and help in the formation of connective tissue.
 


4. Most chondroitin-based products sold in stores do not have a Health Canada-issued Natural Product Number (NPN) or licence. Without regulation, they often do not meet any pesticide, heavy metal, or other toxicity standards. As CELL-FX is one of the first products for bone and joint health to obtain a product licence (NPN 80000194), customers may be assured of its extremely high product quality and safety and adherence to Health Canada’s stringest manufacturing guidelines. As with all ChemBioPrint products, the CELL-FX extract has been developed using proprietary technology. Due to the ChemBioPrint difference, CELL-FX exhibits a 10-fold increased potency versus other shark cartilage products in comparative laboratory studies and it is 100% soluble and readily available for absorption unlike other shark cartilage products.
 


5. Chondroitin is a key building block in proteoglycans – large molecules which give joint cartilage their elasticity and mobility. Proteoglycans form strong but flexible cross-linked bridges by binding to collagen fibrils within cartilaginous tissue. Their strength and flexibility enable your cartilage to resist tensile stresses during various strenuous conditions. Proteoglycans and their chondroitin building blocks are therefore critical for maintaining healthy joint structure and function. By helping in the formation of connective tissue, chondroitin can help prevent painful joint friction and therefore relieve joint pain.
 


6. Glucosamine is a very small molecule which is a building block of chondroitin (and other molecules). Chondroitin is a key component of proteglycans: very large molecules which form structures that provide strength and flexibility to cartilage. The size difference means that glucosamine has been thought to be more easily absorbed than chondroitin. However, recent studies have suggested that the majority of glucosamine is broken down in the digestive tract prior to absorption into the bloodstream and that once it enters the bloodstream, it is more widely dispersed to a variety of tissues in the body. This is in contrast to chondroitin which is not as easily absorbed as glucosamine, but once entering the bloodstream, is more specifically targeted to joint tissues than glucosamine. In addition, both products have compatible, but distinct mechanisms of action. Chondroitin and glucosamine both have been shown to be effective for relief of bone and joint pain and for helping with formation of connective tissue. However, the safety issues may be slightly different for each product and one or the other may be preferable for an individual. Preliminary studies suggest superior efficacy for chondroitin versus glucosamine, however the medical consensus on this issue is not yet available.
 


7. A recent meta-analysis (large statistical analysis of 7 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials) indicated that chondroitin relieved osteoarthritic pain symptoms by at least 50% when taken for 4 months. Chondroitin was also shown in a clinical study to decrease the number of patients with joints exhibiting new osteoarthritic erosion. These studies illustrate that chondroitin is effective in relieving joint pain and helps to maintain healthy connective tissue in joints. In addition, these trials indicated that chondroitin was safe and well-tolerated.
 


8. CELL-FX works to relieve joint pain and help in the formation of connective tissue in a number of ways:
restoring the chondroitin sulphate content in the cartilage to healthy levels
stimulating cartilage cells (chondrocytes) to synthesize the cartilage building blocks, collagen and
proteoglycans
inhibiting the joint enzymes responsible for the breakdown of cartilage
reducing the stimulatory effect of inflammatory molecules on the enzymes which break down
cartilage

CELL-FX has also exhibited additional effects in pharmacological studies. In laboratory studies, CELL-FX was shown to help counteract excessive calcium levels in cells. Too much cell calcium
has been associated with numerous degenerative conditions and diseases and many people are particularly susceptible to variations in cellular calcium. It has also been shown to prevent overgrowth
of vascular smooth muscle cells in pharmacological studies.
 


9. Most clinical studies on chondroitin were conducted for 3-4 months and showed efficacy with this regimen. While Health Canada does not provide any specific duration of use recommendation, it is likely that a minimum of 3-4 months of use will provide optimal benefits.
 


10. No clinical studies have been conducted evaluating the safety or efficacy of CELL-FX for prevention, treatment, or symptom relief directly related to cancer. A physician should be consulted prior to use of CELL-FX in this situation.
 


11. CELL-FX is approved by Health Canada for the relief of bone and joint pain and to help in the formation of connective tissue therefore CELL-FX may be helpful in the recovery from a bone or joint injury.
 


12. CELL-FX is manufactured in Canada by Afexa Life Sciences. Afexa Life Sciences is an Alberta based company since 1992.
 


13. No well-controlled (double-blind, placebo-controlled) studies have yet been done to assess the efficacy or safety of CELL-FX use in a pediatric population. CELL-FX is recommended for adults only.
 


14. No adverse effects of CELL-FX are observed in laboratory studies when given at 90 times higher than the recommended dose for 18 days. In clinical studies and for usage in the general population, adverse effects have also not been associated with CELL-FX intake. There are no known contraindications or interactions with drugs, herbs, or disease conditions. Individuals are advised to consult a health care practitioner if you experience gastrointestinal pain or bowel movement disturbances. Discontinue use if allergic reaction occurs.
 



15. Clinical studies have not tested chondroitin use for longer than 2 years, therefore for prolonged use, consult a health care practitioner.
 



16. There are no known drug interactions associated with CELL-FX intake. No cautionary statements related to chondroitin and drug interactions have been issued by Health Canada.
 


17. No clinical studies have been conducted specifically in diabetic patients with either chondroitin or CELL-FX. Health Canada has not issued any cautionary statements regarding use of chondroitin by diabetic patients.
 


18. No clinical studies have been conducted specifically in hypertensive (high blood pressure) patients with either chondroitin or CELL-FX. Health Canada has not issued any cautionary statements regarding use of chondroitin by individuals with high blood pressure.
 


19. Since no studies have yet been carried out on use of CELL-FX during pregnancy or nursing, it is recommended that you consult a physician before consuming CELL-FX.
 
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