GOPO Article by Dr. Kaj Winther

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Why GOPO Galactolipid is the new Glucosamine for Bone and Joint Pain Sufferers

By Dr. Kaj Winther

As the U.S. population ages, the prevalence of arthritis – one of the most common and disabling joint conditions – is expected to grow to affect 25% of U.S. adults by the year 2030.^[1]

Osteoarthritis is something that will affect use all as we grow old.  Millions suffer from bone and joint pain, seeking solutions from homeopathic treatment to plant-based supplements and in severe cases, prescription medication.

Twenty years ago, I was introduced to a special strain of Rosa Canina (rosehip) called LiTo, grown by a Danish farmer who milled the rosehip, seeds and shells, into a powder with patented methodology.  He saw improvements in his joint pain and daily activity and began selling it at health fairs throughout Denmark.

The scientific community took note.  Researchers, like myself, traced the effectiveness of the supplement to high levels of a certain galactolipid (short name GOPO), an important active ingredient in the farmer’s rosehip.  A patented production method ensures high levels of this beneficial Galactolipid which is only present in few plants among these certain rose hip subspecies.

GOPO, is proven to play a valuable role in the care of joint tissues, including stabilizing neutrophil membranes and reducing their migration into tissues. Laboratory studies have also shown improvement on human knee cartilage cells (6). We’ve shortened the name and now refer to this plant-based supplement as GOPO® Rosehip with Galactolipid GOPO.

GOPO is not a drug, but an all-natural supplement that you can feel confident taking for long-term joint care. GOPO Reduces joint pain – with 8 out of 10 osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers reporting some pain reduction after just 3 weeks of treatment and more pronounced after three month.[2]  This could help reduce the barriers that joint conditions inflict on people’s lives.

GOPO has been evaluated in several placebo-controlled, clinical trials involving hundreds of patients with painful joints.  Efficacy results have been consistently positive and evidence supporting the benefits of GOPO has been presented around the world at clinical meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Experts in rheumatology and joint health believe GOPO has an important role to play in joint care, with studies suggesting that GOPO seems more effective than both acetaminophen and glucosamine.[3]

Additional studies indicate that:

• GOPO improves joint mobility – by reducing joint tenderness and swelling[4]
• GOPO reduces the need for painkillers – as a nearly 50% reduction in the consumption of paracetamol and synthetic opioids was observed after 3 month treatment[5]
• GOPO rebuilds joint tissues and cartilage[6]

We continue to study the benefits of Rose hip with Galactolipid GOPO and will continue to provide people who seek information on plant-based supplements with news from the scientific community.

More information about GOPO Rosehip with Galactolipid, as well as clinical studies, can be found here.

About Dr. Kaj Winther

Dr. Winther is a physician and clinical biologist, conducting research at the University of Gothenburg, University of Copenhagen, and Harvard Medical School.  He has published over 145 papers in a multitude of peer-reviewed international journals as well as health-related articles in the mainstream press. He resides in the Institute of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

[1] Hootman JM, Helmick CG. Projections of U.S. prevalence of arthritis and associated activity limitations. Arthritis Rheum. 2006; 54(1): 226–229.

[2] Winther, K. Apel, K and Thomsborg,G. A powder made from seeds and shells of a rose-hip subspecies (Rosa canina) reduces symptoms of knee and hip osteoarthritis. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Scand J Rheumatol. 2005; 34:302-308.

[3] Christensen R et al. Does the hip powder of Rose canina (rose-hip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? – a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, Osteoarthritis Cartilage (2008)

[4] Willich SN, Rossnagel K, Roll S et al. Rose hip herbal remedy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis – a randomised controlled trial. Phytomedicine 2010; 17: 87–93

 [6] Schwager J, Richard N, Wolfram S. Anti-inflammatory and chondro-protective effects of rose-hip powder and its constituent galactolipids GOPO. Poster presentation at the World Congress of Osteoarthritis (OARSI) 2008

[1] Winther, K. Apel, K and Thomsborg,G. A powder made from seeds and shells of a rose-hip subspecies (Rosa canina) reduces symptoms of knee and hip osteoarthritis. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Scand J Rheumatol. 2005; 34:302-308.

[1] Christensen R et al. Does the hip powder of Rose canina (rose-hip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients kaufen viagra in deutschland? – a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, Osteoarthritis Cartilage (2008)

[1] Willich SN, Rossnagel K, Roll S et al. Rose hip herbal remedy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis – a randomised controlled trial. Phytomedicine 2010; 17: 87–93

[1] Schwager J, Richard N, Wolfram S. Anti-inflammatory and chondro-protective effects of rose-hip powder and its constituent galactolipids GOPO. Poster presentation at the World Congress of Osteoarthritis (OARSI) 2008

About Dr. Kaj Winther

Dr. Kaj Winther is the official U.S. medical spokesperson for GOPO® Rosehip with Galactolipids. Dr. Winther, a clinical biologist, has published several studies in peer-reviewed journals on the efficacy of rose hip as treatment for osteoarthritis. His research is centered on joint, muscular and cardiovascular diseases, as well as conducting clinical evaluations of the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements and herbal remedies.

Early in his academic career, Dr. Winther lent his expertise to several renowned universities across the world, conducting research at University of Gothenburg, University of Copenhagen, and Harvard Medical School.  It was Dr. Winther’s experience in 1988 as a research fellow in the cardiovascular division of Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School that piqued his interest in herbal remedies and their impact on inflammation.

Since 2015, Dr. Winther has served as an adjunct professor at the Institute of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen, where he earned his medical degree in 1980. In his current role, he uses his expertise to promote research and education in the bioactive components of diet, as well as clinical nutrition for both healthy and diseased states.  A respected authority in the academic arena,    Dr. Winther has mentored four candidates for the Doctor of Medicine degree, and has been censor for medical students at the Faculty of Health Sciences in the Universities of Aarhus, Copenhagen, and Odense.

From 2006-2015, Dr. Winther served as a Senior Medical Consultant Physician in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry in Frederiksberg Hospital, performing the same role concurrently at Bispebjerg Hospital from 2013-2015. Prior to those appointments, he held a post as consultant in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Gentofle University Hospital from 1998 to 2006.

Dr. Winther has published over 145 papers in a multitude of peer-reviewed international journals. He has also published health-related articles in the mainstream press. He resides in Copenhagen, Denmark.