{"product_id":"product_c89365d5-107c-463b-9749-6c183d24f959","title":"HSN - ASU | 120 capsules","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eAbout the Product\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eHSN's EssentialSeries ASU (Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables) 300 mg is a dietary supplement in vegetable capsules based on a concentrated and standardized extract of the unsaponifiable fraction of avocado (Persea americana) and soybean (Glycine max) oils in a clinical 1:2 ratio, standardized to 30% phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol). Unsaponifiables are the minor fraction of vegetable oils that do not form soap when reacted with a base (they are non-saponifiable), concentrating compounds of high functional interest such as phytosterols, triterpene alcohols, and tocopherols, which are virtually absent in other lipid fractions of the oils. HSN offers ASU in an innovative powder formulation encapsulated in HPMC vegetable capsules, without gelatine, added oils, or unnecessary additives, as a clean label and vegan alternative to the conventional oil-based softgel format. Each capsule provides 300 mg of ASU with 30% guaranteed phytosterols. 1 capsule per day. Vegan, allergen-free, and GMO-free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eBenefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eASU: the unsaponifiable fraction of avocado and soy with extensive clinical evidence in osteoarthritis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) are one of the natural compounds with the strongest clinical evidence base from randomized controlled trials for joint health support, especially in knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA). The product was initially marketed in France as a classified medicine (Piascledine®) and has been the subject of several phase III clinical trials. Ernst's systematic review (2003) and Christensen et al.'s meta-analysis (2008) document that ASU at 300 mg\/day produces clinically significant improvements in pain and joint function scores in OA patients compared to placebo. Simental-Mendía et al.'s meta-analysis (2019) confirms these results, including additional studies published after the 2008 meta-analysis. The 1:2 avocado\/soy ratio used in HSN's formulation is the exact ratio tested in the reference clinical studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMultifactorial mechanism of action on articular cartilage:\u003c\/strong\u003e The mechanism of action of ASU in osteoarthritis is multifactorial and acts on several aspects of the pathophysiology of cartilage degradation. Studies by Henrotin et al. (2003) on human osteoarthritic chondrocytes document that ASU increases the synthesis of aggrecan (the main proteoglycan of articular cartilage responsible for water retention and compression resistance), inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-13, also known as stromelysin and collagenase) which are the enzymes responsible for the degradation of collagen and proteoglycans in cartilage, and reduces the production of inflammatory and catabolic mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and prostaglandins E2. This combination of stimulating the synthesis of structural components of cartilage with inhibiting the catabolic and inflammatory pathways that degrade it positions ASU as a compound with potential disease-modifying effects (Disease-Modifying OA Drug, DMOAD), in addition to the symptomatic effect of pain reduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhytosterols standardized to 30%: beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol as key bioactive compounds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standardization to 30% phytosterols ensures that each 300 mg HSN ASU capsule provides 90 mg of total phytosterols, mainly beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol, the main phytosterols represented in the unsaponifiable fraction of avocado and soy. Phytosterols have a chemical structure analogous to cholesterol, with which they compete for intestinal absorption, and have documented anti-inflammatory properties that are considered responsible for part of ASU's functional effect in modulating the articular inflammatory response. Standardization to 30% guarantees batch-to-batch consistency in the active composition of the product, unlike unstandardized extracts where the concentration of phytosterols can vary significantly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReduced need for NSAIDs in osteoarthritis patients:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the most clinically relevant results of ASU clinical trials is the reduction in the necessary dose of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and dicofenac) for joint pain control. Blotman et al.'s study (1997) documented that OA patients taking ASU 300 mg\/day for 45 days reduced the necessary diclofenac dose from ~150 mg to ~50 mg\/day, compared to a much smaller reduction in the placebo group (~130 to ~80 mg\/day). This NSAID-sparing property is especially relevant given the adverse effect profile of NSAIDs in chronic use (gastric ulcer, kidney injury, cardiovascular risk), making ASU a joint support strategy that can reduce exposure to these risks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInnovative encapsulated powder format: the clean label and vegan alternative to conventional softgel:\u003c\/strong\u003e The vast majority of ASU supplements available on the market are formulated in oil-based softgels (typically sunflower or soybean oil as a lipid vehicle), with an animal gelatine capsule. This format has several limitations: it is not suitable for vegan diets (animal gelatine), has limited oxidative stability (vehicle oils can rancify), and often contains soy allergens in the oily vehicle. HSN develops its ASU in a completely different format: encapsulated powder in an HPMC vegetable capsule, without gelatine, added oils, or allergens, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians and with much greater oxidative stability. This clean label formulation is technically more demanding but results in a product of purer and more transparent composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDocumented safety and well-tolerated in prolonged use:\u003c\/strong\u003e ASU has an exceptional safety profile, with clinical studies lasting up to 3 years showing no evidence of adverse effects significantly different from placebo. There are no associated gastrointestinal adverse effects (unlike NSAIDs and corticosteroids), no documented hepatotoxicity, and no known significant drug interactions. This safety makes ASU suitable for continued long-term use, which is the most relevant clinical context given the chronic and progressive nature of osteoarthritis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended dose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Take 1 capsule per day, preferably with a meal containing fat. The presence of dietary fat in the meal facilitates the absorption of the fat-soluble compounds of the unsaponifiable fraction, optimizing the bioavailability of phytosterols and other active compounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDuration and consistency:\u003c\/strong\u003e The effects of ASU are gradual, typically requiring 2 to 3 months of continuous use for the symptomatic effects of pain reduction and improvement in joint function to become clinically noticeable. Continued long-term use is the model documented in longer-duration studies, with benefits that tend to persist after treatment cessation (a 2-month carry-over effect documented in the study by Maheu et al., 1998).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSynergistic combinations for comprehensive joint support:\u003c\/strong\u003e For a multi-ingredient joint health protocol, ASU can be combined with HSN's Joint Health Collagen Powder (which includes Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, and Boswellia serrata), with PEA \u0026 Mag (for additional modulation of neuropathic and inflammatory pain), and with Amix Super Omega 3 (EPA\/DHA for inflammation resolution). Each of these ingredients acts on complementary pathways of joint health, enhancing the overall benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HSN","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52705356087643,"sku":null,"price":15.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1005\/0250\/3771\/files\/HSN-ASU_AVOCADOSOYBEANUNSAPONIFIABLES_300mg.webp?v=1777498737","url":"https:\/\/brothers-club.com\/en\/products\/product_c89365d5-107c-463b-9749-6c183d24f959","provider":"Brother's Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}