Introduction and General
The protection of joint health is guaranteed by the characteristic mechanical properties of the cartilage, capable of promoting the movement of the joint heads by reducing friction and all possible mechanical stresses to a minimum.
The biosynthetic activity of these cells, in association with the normal turn-over of the macromolecules present in the matrix, defines the ultrastructural and functional characteristics of the cartilage.
Collagen is certainly one of the most important macromolecules present.
Collagen
The term collagen identifies a family of proteins characterized by a triple helix structure, whose structural unit is represented by tropocollagen.
Tropocollagen is a protein in turn made up of 3 polypepetide chains, with constant amino acid sequence Glycine X Proline or Glycine X Hydroxyproline, organized in a triple dextrose helix.
The very particular three-dimensional rearrangement gives the collagen its well-known chemical-physical properties.
Currently, as many as 26 different types of collagen have been identified, although only a few, about 6-8, are then present in significant quantities in the extracellular matrix and, in particular, at the joint and cartilage level.
The turnover of collagen, which obviously significantly affects the histological and functional properties of cartilage, is controlled by:
- The normal half-life of collagen;
- The availability of starting substrates for the synthesis;
- The presence of inflammatory stimuli that accelerate its degradation and alter its normal structure;
- The state of health of chondrocytes and fibroblasts, cells responsible for the synthesis of these proteins;
- The presence of particular pathological conditions of both local and systemic nature.
An altered turnover of the collagen component is often the cause and consequence of diseases and degenerative conditions of the joints, such as osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis.
Collagen supplements
By virtue of the very important role of collagen in maintaining adequate joint health, collagen-based supplements have been on the market for several years now.
Initially extracted from the achilles tendon of cattle, the use of bovine collagen, due to the increased risk of infectious diseases such as BSE, has been gradually replaced with that of an equine nature.
Currently there are processes capable of extracting collagen also from fish and vegetable products, thus minimizing the risk of potential infectious diseases, as well as possible allergic manifestations linked to the high antigenicity of this protein.
The study of pharmacokinetic properties and the enormous progress made by pharmaceutical technology have facilitated over time the development of techniques for the chemical manipulation of collagen.
From these developments hydrolyzed collagen was born, obtained by controlled hydrolysis of native collagen, more effective than the latter by:
- The best intestinal absorption profile;
- The best gastrointestinal tolerability;
- Of the minor allergenicity;
- Of the increased bioavailability.
Collagen supplements for healthy joints
With the progressive aging of the population, the incidence of joint diseases and disorders has grown exponentially.
At the same time, the unbridled use of anti-inflammatory drugs of various kinds and cortisone has been and still is the most used intervention strategy, with all the risks for the patient's general health.
In order to control the use and abuse of drugs and offer an effective alternative remedy - capable of both correcting the joint problem, where possible, but above all preventing it - the use of various supplements has spread, including for l "precisely collagen.
Although the scientific literature does not yet fully agree, the use of collagen, especially in some pathological conditions of the joints, would have proved effective in preventing joint complications, at the same time improving the present clinical picture.
In this regard, the use of collagen:
- It would have improved the health and quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis;
- It would have helped to reduce the extent of joint pain present in the spinal column;
- It would contribute, also in association with drug therapy, to improve joint mobility and the rate of physical activity in patients suffering from osteoarthritis;
- It would help to prevent and improve the onset of joint pain in athletes subjected to intense training, thus having direct repercussions on the state of performance;
- It would allow to record an improvement of pain in the temporomandibular joint in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.
To make the use of collagen in the orthopedic or preventive field slightly more complex is the absence of well-defined dosages and reproducible administration protocols.
However, excellent results would seem to derive from the simultaneous intake of Collagen and other molecules with antioxidant and protective activity, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, chondroitin and glucosamine.
X115® + Plus | Hydrolyzed Collagen | Day & Night
Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Minerals, Vitamins, Antioxidants and Plant Extracts Supplement. For the beauty of the skin and the well-being of the joints.
Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen support the natural renewal of cartilage, while the plant extracts, rich in flavonoids, protect it from degradation phenomena mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation.
Bibliography
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Kumar S, Sugihara F, Suzuki K, Inoue N, Venkateswarathirukumara S.
J Sci Food Agric. 2015 Mar 15; 95: 702-7
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical study on the effectiveness of collagen peptide on osteoarthritis.
Kumar S, Sugihara F, Suzuki K, Inoue N, Venkateswarathirukumara S.
J Sci Food Agric. 2015 Mar 15; 95: 702-7
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J Sci Food Agric. 2015 Mar 15; 95: 702-7
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Curr Med Res Opin. 2006 Nov; 22: 2221-32
Changes in content and synthesis of collagen types and proteoglycans in osteoarthritis of the knee joint and comparison of quantitative analysis with Photoshop-based image analysis.
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