Do you have joint pain? Arthritis?

If so, please consider taking advantage of our “sample survey” offer – you’ll receive a free, two month supply of Banjo in return for your feedback via three short surveys. (No cost – no gimmicks – we just want your honest feedback.)

Banjo is an herbal lozenge that relieves pain, including arthritis and joint pain. Most users will have substantially less pain and stiffness within 10 days of starting Banjo. That may sound too good to be true – but see for yourself – there’s no charge.

This “sample survey” offer is open to those with any type of arthritis or joint pain, but certain restrictions do apply.

• You must be a US resident.
• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must NOT have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

To enroll in this free program just complete the initial survey and we’ll ship your Banjo within 7 days.

Click Here to get your free Banjo!

My pains were almost completely gone after one month of using Banjo, and only came back (rather quickly) in a very “muted” state after I stopped using it. Meaning to say, that I know they are there but it doesn’t dominate my life anymore. I think by using a complete month two and maybe a month three, it would do the trick. Then only need to use when in a severe flare up. Or prn…..

We absolutely think you have something great for us (people with chronic pain) and are excited for you with the product. I also, am under the impression that you are about only needing it for about three months.

As for me, after much thought and talk with my husband, my fibromyalgia pain is almost non-existent.  I agree in that it will take about three months of treatment with Banjo and then supplement as needed when a flare occurs. So on estimation of my percentage of pain, from beginning to now – less than 10%. I am VERY happy right now, with my lack of fibro pain.

Please, please, please do not give up on your product. You have a winner and there are so many of us out here that need you and your product.

Thanks,

Valorie Ruth

It took only 4 or 5 days and I noticed a difference in how I felt at the end of my work day. I usually hurt too bad to do anything but sit after work, but after starting Banjo I was able to come home and cook dinner, do dishes, ect. You know how tiring being in pain is. Well Banjo made such a difference I don’t even need those power naps. Now I am able to spend quality time with my Grandson that I raise.

I have been able to have such a better life with your product. You see I take Norco ( loratab) 10 mg 3 x’s a day have for 5 yrs. Now some days I only take 1/2 a tablet! The doctor explained that that is my body’s addiction to the narcotic. I hate that thought and have great hope that I will soon have days that I don’t have to take any.

I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for my life. Thank you for the work you are doing that is helping so many people. May God Bless you and yours.

Elizabeth Howard

I’ve always doubted the usefullness of vitamins, supplements, etc. and expressed my doubts to Dr. Steve.

Well, after just 4 or 5 days on Banjo (2 per day) my pain when walking and sitting was all but gone! This is the first time in years that I’ve walked without a limp… If I felt any better I’d start running again! I really can’t say enough positive things a bout Banjo. I’m glad I gave it a try.

Michael K.

Traci Glick

I didn’t want to do any of the conventional therapy and wanted to try to take care of it with natural products so decided to try Banjo.

After two weeks I still have significant pain in my right shoulder and left thumb (which are my worst areas), but the pain in my hips and my knees and my left shoulder are easing up nicely. I can stand up much easier than when I first started with the Banjo. I am sleeping better because the pain when I move at night is much less so it doesn’t wake me up like it used to. I am very pleased with the results and excited about what the future looks like with this product.

Teresa R.

Banjo has proven effective at providing relief from pain and fatigue for some with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. I would like to collect more data. Also, this is a slightly revised version of Banjo. I’m hoping that it works better and faster.

If you think you might be interested, I’ve set up a ‘group’ on Facebook to facilitate the project. Not quite sure yet how the groups work, but I think you’ll be able to read the document “Introduction” here: Banjo for EDS

Check it out if you’re interested – or you can send me a note here.

My pain level is diminished to a point where I’m sleeping better & so I have a little more energy.

Karolyn Hoover, Washington

On cytokines, inflammation, pain and fibromyalgia

Cytokines are inter-cellular chemical messengers produced mostly by white blood cells. Some are generally pro-inflammatory (inflammatory cytokines turn inflammation ‘on’) while others are generally anti-inflammatory (they turn inflammation ‘off’). High levels of inflammatory cytokines indicate an ongoing inflammatory process. There might not be the appearance of ‘inflammation’ as we generally think of it – but there is a ‘type’ of inflammation at work – the ‘inflammatory response system’ is active – the process of inflammation has begun.

The primary study referenced below is important because it provides good evidence that inflammation (inflammatory cytokines, or the inflammatory response system) plays a significant role in fibromyalgia.

Specifically, circulating levels of IL-8 (a pro-inflammatory cytokine) were found to be elevated in those with fibromyalgia. That’s important, but what’s more significant is that the severity of pain was observed to correlate with the level of IL-8. That is, when there was more IL-8 there was more pain. When there was less IL-8 there was less pain. Does IL-8 cause the diffuse pain of fibromyalgia? Let’s see.

Inflammatory cytokine IL-8 seems to play an important role in fibromyalgia.

In the study summarized below, 20 fibromyalgia patients and 80 healthy controls were monitored over the course of six months. Circulating levels of various ‘markers’ of inflammation (inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10) were evaluated over time. Any changes in response to therapy were noted.

At the beginning of the study, before any treatment was administered, fibromyalgia patients were found to have substantially higher than normal levels of IL-8 and TNF (tumor necrosis factor – another inflammatory cytokine.) No other cytokine differences were observed.

Once treatment was initiated (multi-modal therapy including oral pain medications) the level of TNF quickly decreased to normal – within 10 days. But the decrease in TNF had no impact on pain. TNF dropped but pain remained high. So the inflammatory cytokine TNF may not be all that important in fibromyalgia – at least not as a direct cause of pain. (IL-8 levels were unchanged at this point.)

What happened next?

Over the remaining 6 months of therapy, IL-8 decreased in most patients, but only by a little, and only very slowly. At the end of six months most patients still had relatively high levels of both IL-8 and pain.

But a few patients had a much more substantial decrease in their IL-8 level. What happened to them?

Those patients with significantly lower IL-8 at the end of the study also had significantly less pain!

Not only that, but it turns out those with the highest levels of IL-8 at the end of the study also had the most pain.

How closely did pain severity track with IL-8? Well, a perfect correlation (as these things are defined) would be 1.0. The actual correlation in this study was 0.78 – which is very high. That suggests a strong link between IL-8 and pain.

An increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-8, may be critical in the onset and progression of fibromyalgia.

It has been observed that up to about two-thirds of those with fibromyalgia report its initial onset in connection with a highly stressful event or period in their lives. Is there a connection between stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines?

What happens to trigger fibromyalgia during high stress times?

As per the study summarized below, psychological stress leads to an increase in IL-8, a major pro-inflammatory cytokine.

A significant role for IL-8 in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia is suggested by the fact that most individuals with fibromyalgia report a worsening of symptom severity at times of significant psychological stress.