Preserving efficiency and supporting the integrity of our joints is of fundamental importance for maintaining the quality of life, but not only. It is essential to counteract the effects due to bone-joint deterioration caused by aging which can favor a structural weakening susceptible to trauma, chronic inflammation, tenderness, and rigidity of the range of movement. Furthermore, maintaining healthy joints over time helps prevent and recover more quickly from sports injuries.
The role of collagen
Collagen is among the most important structural proteins in our body and is present everywhere, even representing about a third of the body's proteins. We can imagine it as a structural "glue" that has the role of supporting, connecting, supporting, and nourishing the tissues, contributing to the physiology, strength, and elasticity of tendons, bones, teeth, blood vessels, and skin. There are many types of collagen, but those that interest us for the health of bones, tendons, joints are four, indicated with the Roman letters I, II, III, and IV.
- Type I collagen. It constitutes 90% of the body's collagen and is made of very dense and bonded fibers. It forms the structure for the skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth.
- Collagen Type II. It is made up of fibers that are less closely related to each other and has a "more elastic" characteristic than type I. It acts as a shock absorber in the joints, of which it is the support.
- Collagen Type III. Supports the structure of muscles, organs, and arterial vessels.
- Collagen Type IV. It constitutes the gelatinous matrix of the connective tissue, which acts as a vehicle and filter for exchanges of nourishment and is located in the deep layer of the skin.
Collagen deficiency
The decrease in collagen production starts from the age of 25 and, after the age of 40, collagen levels drop more and more decisively. The effects of collagen deficiency radiate on all fronts where it intervenes on a structural level. The most evident symptom is at the level of the skin of the face, which becomes less luminous and less compact, subsequently, the effects on other tissues are perceived. The general decay brings with it the tendency to develop:
- osteoporosis,
- osteoarthritis,
- aging of organ tissues.
Collagen loss is also due to and accelerated by other factors, in addition to physiological aging:
- unbalanced diet,
- smoke,
- excessive exposure to UV rays,
- environmental factors (primarily pollution),
- intense psychophysical stress,
- traumatic events.
Collagen supplements for joints
In recent years, there has been a real growth in the development of many specific collagen food supplements thanks to new forms of raw materials that have proven capable, thanks to ever-better bioavailability, to effectively reach the area of ??greatest need. Collagen food supplements are increasingly proving to be a valuable supplementary collagen support tool that our body needs for various reasons.
For joints, there are products on the market aimed at protecting the integrity of bones, tendons, and joints. Collagen type II is the choice for us if we want to specifically address the structure of the joints and bring the following benefits:
- contributes to improving joint mobility;
- favor the maintenance of the osteoarticular structure;
- help us protect ourselves from wear and tear, especially in sports.
This type of specific supplement makes use of the innovative active ingredient ChondrActiv™(a patented mixture based on type II collagen, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid) to assist the maintenance and structural support of the joints.
Valuable in this case is the enriched products that make use of the synergistic action of vitamin C, biotin, zinc, substances that support the normal formation of collagen and the physiological function of the joints and bones, also promoting greater strength of nails and hair.
