A new survey(C) released by Litozin joint health reveals that men and women who aim to keep fit, could in fact, be damaging their joints. Over two thirds (68%) of all active respondents who took part in the survey had suffered from joint pain at some point.

Joint injuries seem to be a common occurrence for the nations top sports performers with David Beckham and Freddy Flintoff both recent victims.

Commissioned by LitoZin(R), a rosehip based supplement which improves joint health, the survey looked at the impact on joint health of various sporting activities amongst groups of men and women in the under 45 and over 45 age groups who all undertook 10 hours or more of light exercise a month.

Worryingly, 64 % of active under 45 year olds experienced joint pain with the figure rising to 74% for the active over 45's. In fact, incidence of joint pain and joint injury was significantly less in the sedentary over 45s who lived a less than active lifestyle.

Across all age groups joint injury was also common with 61% of all active men and women experiencing joint injury at some time with the highest incidence occurring in the 25 - 34 age group.

Rugby enthusiasts should be warned. Whilst golf, racquet sports and running are more likely to cause joint injury, rugby tops the league when it comes to joint pain with 76% of amateur enthusiasts suffering. According to Matt Dawson, ex-England rugby player and part of the squad who won the 2003 world cup, "professional rugby players are aware of the strain put on the joints, particularly the ankles and knees. We were always advised to take joint health supplements to keep our joints mobile, help manage joint pain and reduce the need for strong painkillers".

"Many people think that joint pain is simply correlated to age," says sports doctor Joseph Babicki who is a member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine. "In fact joint pain is common at any age and as the LitoZin Joint Health Sports Survey reveals, is very common amongst young active sportspersons." Dr. Babicki warns against the long-term use of painkillers which don't improve joint health and can cause potential side-effects. "The research behind GOPO(R) - the active compound isolated from Rosa Canina, a type of rosehip is very interesting. The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits of GOPO have been proven to offer long-term relief from joint pain and an increase in joint mobility for sufferers of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. GOPO has an active benefit on all types of joint pain making it particularly suitable for sports related joint pain."

Experts believe the rosehip remedy LitoZin Joint Health, which contains the active compound GOPO, could help to tackle sports related joint pain as well as reduce the need for painkillers. Studies show that 82% of patients reported a reduction in pain after 3 weeks of active treatment with GOPO(1). Taking LitoZin Joint Health can also decrease the need for pain-killers and anti-inflammatory drugs by 40-50%, and unlike prescription drugs it has no side-effects.

(C) The LitoZin Joint Health Sports Survey was undertaken with 500 men and women across the UK in August 2007.

(1) Scand J Rheumatol 34:302-308, July - August 2005 by Winther, K. Apel, K and Thomsborg,G.