Embark on a 12 Week GOPO challenge with me!

Winter can be a particularly difficult time of the year for anyone, but especially if you suffer from a painful joint condition such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and hypermobility syndrome to name a few. Painful joints and cold weather are really not a good combination and can further exacerbate the pain and symptoms. Having a painful joint condition in itself isn't that uncommon, Arthritis Research UK found that in 2008, more than ten million adults in the UK alone consult their general practitioner every year with arthritis and related conditions. Not only that, but around 400,000 adults in the UK have Rheumatoid arthritis, and up to four out of five that are in employment lose their jobs within five years.

There are a limited number of treatment options to help manage painful joint conditions, this can range from something as light as physical activity or electrotherapy to joint replacement surgery which is more of a last resort as there are some risks involved. Other methods would be to take natural remedies, painkillers like paracetamol, some NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory medication), corticosteriods, opioids or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) to reduce the inflammation and to ease the pain.

Unfortunately for some of us with chronic joint conditions, most, if not all of these options become completely invalid and we are left in the dark and still suffering. Take me for example, I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (a.k.a. Hypermobility syndrome), I am allergic to NSAIDS and I really don't take well to any medication or chemicals that I try to introduce to my body. Also, surgery is not an option for me with such weak connective tissue it would take a long time for my soft tissue to heal. Then there is the fact that I dislocate frequently so exercise is something I have to be extremely careful with, trying to treating my chronic joint condition has been an arduous task.

Feeling frustrated I hit the internet in the hope to find something that would benefit my joints, but at the same time wouldn't upset my stomach and that is when I stumbled upon rose-hips. A natural supplement with anti-inflammatory properties seems to be the best choice for me, it could reduce symptoms, limit structural changes, maintain joint function and minimise disability. This would improve my quality of life, and therefore eradicate the depression that has been really getting me down.

With the help of Spink, I am undertaking the 12 week GOPO challenge and I couldn't be more excited! Over the next twelve weeks I will be taking three rose-hip capsules twice daily for the first three to five weeks and then continue with a maintenance dose of two capsules twice a day, and thoroughly evaluating the product in a series of future posts (week 2, 4, 8 and 12) to see exactly how this natural supplement will benefit my joints.

So what is GOPO you may ask? GOPO is a galactolipid, an important component in plants which has potential health promoting compounds that has been obtained from rose-hip powder, made from the seeds and husks of fruit from a sub-species of Rosa canina. GOPO is a unique food supplement that has been specially cultivated to help reduce symptoms of painful joint conditions, has been rigorously tested in numerous clinical trials and has been proven to benefit joint health.

One of the reasons that I feel makes GOPO stand out from similar products in the market is the unique manufacturing process which maximises the health properties, cultivation, harvesting and processing the active ingredient is carefully controlled to ensure only the hightest levels of GOPO. A lot of attention has gone into manufacturing this product to be able to produce the best quality and I will always invest in a high quality product rather than a product that falls short on quality and makes up for it in quantity.

Secondly, as mentioned before that this product is the only rose-hip treatment in the UK that has been rigorously tested in a number of clinical trials and has been proven to benefit joint health. Could this product become any more inticing? Oh yes it could! There have been no reported side-effects, no interactions with commonly-used arthritis medication, and unlike glucosamine (present in most other rose-hip supplements) GOPO can be taken by people with diabetes, those with shellfish allergies and pregnant women.

Clinical trials have indicated that GOPO has been found to:

• Significally and rapidly reduce joint pain


• Reduce the number of tender and swollen joints


• Improve mobility and daily activity levels


• Reduce morning stiffness


• Improve mood, sleep quality, energy and wellbeing


• Reduce the need for painkillers


• May be more effective than paracetamol and glucosamine

I am delighted with how the product looks, and the information that was supplied along with the capsules was absolutely refreshing to read. I tend to do a lot of research before trying new things as I want to make sure that it will benefit me, rather than do harm and I must say that all of the case studies, statistics and references have me feeling extremely positive about the next three months! I can't wait to get stuck in and show you all how I get on with this challenge, so keep an eye out for an update in the next two weeks where I shall be rating the product and telling you a bit more about how it works. If you are keen to already purchase this product then make sure you talk to your doctor beforehand, just as you would with any other herbal or vitamin supplement. I have spoken to my doctor before taking these supplements as a precaution, this product has not been trialled on patients with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and the clinical evidence provided is for those that suffer from Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and active healthy adults with joint pain. For more information on the product and where to purchase it from, please visit the website you can find here.

Happy Holidays!