Nutritional health is an important part of joint health just as it is paramount to the health and wellness of all body systems in general. We can’t expect any part of the body to function properly if we don’t feed it what it needs. One in three American adults struggle with chronic joint pain. More than 450,000 knee and hip replacements are performed each year and that number will continue to increase as the baby boomers age. Joint dysfunction can be due to injury, wear and tear and genetic predisposition. Repair and healing processes are highly dependent on adequate protein in the daily diet. Unfortunately, the Standard American Diet (SAD), has become poor in quality protein and high in carbohydrates. Proper intake of dietary protein is necessary for proper wound healing and joint repair. It should be a source for the amino acids necessary for fibroblast activity and the production of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans at the site of injury or needed repair.
There are ways that you can support your joints so that they will stay healthy and give them an extra advantage if they are in need of repair. Joint supplements can help provide additional nutrients that are targeted for improving joint repair. Recent studies have investigated the use of specific nutrients to help in the repair, support and structural integrity of joints. Some of the most powerful ingredients shown to support cartilage and connective tissue health, joint mobility and address the discomfort associated with a lifetime of activity are Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM.
- Glucosamine is an important building block needed by the body to manufacture specialized components of cartilage called glycosaminoglycans. These amino sugars are found in a variety of connective tissues all over the body like ligaments, tendons, cartilage, joint capsules, blood vessels and the skin. Supplements containing glucosamine have been clinically shown to promote the structural repair and improve the comfort of affected joints. Wrinkles are due to the breakdown of the supportive connective tissue in the skin.
- Chondroitin is a major constituent of cartilage, providing structure, holding water and nutrients and allowing other nutrients to move through cartilage. It promotes joint comfort by maintaining hydration of the cartilage matrix. Chondroitin has a protective role in maintaining the integrity of cartilage from enzyme activity that would otherwise destroy it.
- MSM ( methylsulfonylmethane) contributes sulfur for protein synthesis and enzyme function to support tendons and cartilage. Di-sulfide bonds are needed to create and hold the three dimensional shape of proteins in the body. MSM acts as a universal sulfur donor contributing to the repair and regeneration of all connective tissue and especially that of ligaments, tendons and joint capsules.
- Vitamin C is essential in converting procollagen to collagen. Vitamin C is required for the cross linking of collagen fibers in the rebuilding and maintenance of all connective tissue. The well known breakdown of connective tissue due to deficiency of Vitamin C is the disease Scurvy that afflicted the sailors in days of old. Joint supplements containing Vit.C are often seen as minerals that are complexes of ascorbate.
- Minerals are also an integral part of building body tissues. Connective tissue repair is enhanced by having adequate amounts of such minerals as Magnesium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese.
- Botanicals can have the unique effect of stimulating the regeneration of connective tissue. Repair of ligaments, tendons and joints is stimulated by herbs such as Devils Claw (Harpagophytum) and Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica).
Protecting your joints from further natural degeneration or taking a proactive stance in supporting the repair and regeneration of your joints can be enhanced by the use of the proper nutritional supplements. Everyone has a choice on what role they want to play in their personal wellness. Restricting or limiting your physical activity does not have to be a fore gone conclusion. Walking down the road of life should not be a painful experience!
Good Health,
Robert Ellsworth, NMD
