When it comes to health, the adage “prevention is better than cure” applies in most cases. Well, joint health is no exception. The effects of aging on joint structures can affect their function and lead to pain. However, it is important to know that taking collagen supplements, such as Genacol’s exclusive AminoLock Collagen, can help prevent them.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in Canada. According to data released in 2020 by the Public Health Agency of Canada, it is estimated that 3.9 million Canadians have the disease, representing over 13% of the population.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Since its prevalence increases with age, it is associated with aging, but it can occur quite early in life for some people.
It is now known that the disease is caused by the degradation of joint structures, and more specifically of cartilage. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that covers the ends of the bones that make up the joint. In mobile joints, such as the knee or elbow, cartilage prevents the bones from rubbing together during movement. In addition, it will absorb the shocks and pressure suffered by the joint structures. It is therefore understandable that the deterioration of the cartilage, inherent to osteoarthritis, may affect the proper functioning of the joints, and even lead to pain and functional limitations.
How do you explain the degradation of cartilage that occurs over the years and is associated with osteoarthritis? Actually, it’s quite simple… Collagen is produced naturally by the body, within cells called fibroblasts which are the main components of connective tissues. Over the years, these cells lose their ability to produce collagen, at the same time as the body loses its ability to synthesize it. This explains the progressive deterioration of cartilage in the joints.
It is important to know that this deterioration begins around the age of 30 and progresses around the age of 50. Therefore, the use of collagen supplements is relevant to counter the decrease in production by the human body.
AminoLock Collagen, exclusive to Genacol, is extracted from bovine sources using a patented sequencing technique. This allows us to obtain collagen peptides with a very low molecular weight, which greatly increases their bioavailability. What does this mean in concrete terms? It means that AminoLock Collagen is more easily absorbed and assimilated by our body, which provides more benefits, especially for cartilage preservation.
It is best to prevent cartilage degradation before it occurs and before the quality of this important connective tissue is affected. Taking supplements can therefore slow it down, but it is not possible to reverse it completely. This is why it is important to take preventive action.
We generally recommend taking our AminoLock Collagen supplements in the following cases:
If there is a family history of joint health problems;
If you have concerns about future joint health;
In cases of pre-OA or pre-osteoarthritis, i.e. when a diagnosis is made, but before joint problems develop;
In case of stiffness or low intensity joint pain, in order to control its progression.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoarthritis and no way to completely reverse the degradation of cartilage. However, in combination with collagen supplements, it is possible to act on certain aspects related to health and physical condition. We can thus promote the good condition of cartilage and slow down the degradation that occurs with aging. Here are some tips:
Being overweight greatly increases the risk of osteoarthritis, especially for certain joints such as the knees. Maintaining a healthy weight can therefore help slow the development of the disease and its progression.
Physical activity is very beneficial for joint health. It is important to know that cartilage is not vascularized, which means that it cannot get the nutrients it needs to function properly from the bloodstream. To do so, it needs synovial fluid that lubricates the joints during movement. Physical activity increases the production of synovial fluid, which is then absorbed by the cartilage. Cartilage becomes more voluminous and its cushioning functions are also increased. This is why regular physical activity can help slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
Our sedentary lifestyle puts a lot of pressure on our body and joints, especially when we spend long hours in a sitting position and do not necessarily adopt ergonomic postures. This exposes the joints to the risk of micro trauma, which is a risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis. It is therefore important to counter the effects of a sedentary lifestyle in order to prevent these micro traumas, which can have very real effects.
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