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Movement is what allows us to discover the world and conquer it. That is why reduced mobility is a problem and a challenge for everyone, regardless of age. As the body's natural collagen production declines, the risk also increases of injuries, joint wear, and musculoskeletal conditions that can deprive us of the ability to live an active life. The dietary supplement hydrolyzed collagen helps us continue living actively for longer.
Collagen in Joints and Cartilage
Joints and joint capsules connect the bones. They allow them to move, being at once inextensible yet elastic and flexible. At the points where joints meet, the bones are stabilized by strong fibrous connective tissue that forms the joint ligaments. The surfaces of two connecting bones are covered with cartilage. Its main cells are chondrocytes, which make up only 2-3% of its total mass. Their function is nourished by synovial fluid, which lubricates the bone surfaces of the joints and the cartilage between them. In cartilage, type II collagen fibers are arranged perpendicularly, and their strength is reinforced by type I collagen fibers.
Joint mobility is judged by the range of motion between the two farthest positions of the bones in the joint. It is influenced by the condition of the ligaments, as well as the soft tissues surrounding the joint.
Wear of the joint cartilage is irreversible and affects the 350 joints in the human body. That is why, in order to slow down this process, it is important to stimulate natural collagen production by taking dietary supplements. The hydrolysate helps restore mobility both in athletes and in people suffering from arthritis.
Collagen for Better Joint Mobility
Hydrolyzed collagen supports joint mobility, since 60% of cartilage is collagen. It is precisely the shortage of this valuable protein that leads to movement problems. Direct intake of collagen peptides speeds up the absorption of these valuable amino acids by the body and their accumulation. Taking collagen hydrolysate stimulates the synthesis of extracellular matrix macromolecules by chondrocytes, which are responsible for secreting the cartilage's extracellular matrix. This matrix is made up of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, collagen fibers, and elastic fibers. The hydrolysate supports protein production in the cartilage, restoring mobility as a result.
Against Joint Pain and Stiffness
If you provide your body with enough collagen through diet and supplements, you will be able to reduce the stiffness and pain in your joints caused by overexertion or degenerative processes.
A study of athletes who took 10 grams of hydrolyzed collagen a day for 6 months shows a visible improvement in pain during movement and at rest. Similar results were seen with a dose of 2 grams for 2 months in elderly people complaining of stiffness. As additional collagen builds up in the cartilage, inflammation decreases and the natural process of immobility slows down. Let us not forget that a dietary supplement supports the processes in the body, but it cannot magically repair joints that are already worn or damaged.
In Arthritis
According to a 2017 international study, nearly 240 million people worldwide suffer from health problems or diseases related to the joints. Every day they experience stiffness and joint pain and suffer from wear. It is believed that collagen supplements have a long-term positive effect in extending the active life of older adults.
Hydrolyzed collagen can have a positive effect on the synovial fluid that fills the joint cavity. The synovial membrane is made up of blood plasma, proteoglycans, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. In arthritis, the fluid becomes thicker, while in osteoarthritis, not enough fluid is produced. In both cases, the result is pain. Doctors have found that taking collagen peptides reduces this pain, as well as inflammation.
Hydrolyzed Collagen Helps in the Long Term
Hydrolyzed collagen truly is "food" for the joints. The pure protein, extracted from the gelatin of grass-fed cattle, is the closest to what our own bodies produce. That is why, whether as athletes, active people, or now as older adults, a daily dose of powdered collagen is an accessible and safe way to care for a long and fulfilling life.
