Osteoarthritis is what it’s called when the wear and tear on your joints causes a breakdown in the cartilage.
While it can affect almost any of the body’s joints, it’s most commonly associated with the weight-bearing joints of the spine, hips, and knees. In addition, it affects the thumbs, neck, large toes, and fingers.
While these ailments develop slowly over time, they do cause the underlying bone to change. Eventually, some people suffer from reduced function and disability.
Even though over 30 million people are affected by it, things like collagen peptides can help.
Are you interested in more information about the breakdown of cartilage in joints and how collagen can help inflammatory effects? Keep scrolling to find out!
What Is Cartilage and What Happens to It?
Cartilage is a rubbery, firm material. It covers the ends of bones in healthy joints.
The main function of cartilage is reducing friction in the joints. Essentially, it serves as a shock absorber. When it’s compressed, it has the ability to change shape,
Cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers the ends of bones in normal joints.
Its main function is to reduce friction in the joints and serve as a “shock absorber.” The shock-absorbing quality of healthy cartilage comes from its ability to change shape when compressed.
When an individual suffers from Osteoarthritis, the cartilage around their joints becomes stiff and loses its elasticity, which makes it more susceptible to damage.
Over time, it wears away, and it’s shock-absorbing ability weakens. As it weakens and deteriorates, ligaments and tendons stretch, which causes pain. When it gets terrible, the bones rub against each other.
Who Has It?
For the most part, Osteoarthritis develops with age. Most people who are over 60 have it to some degree. However, the severity of it varies from person to person.
Younger people in their 20s to 30s can also get it, but it’s usually as a result of repetitive joint stress from overuse or joint injury.
What Are the Symptoms?
If you think you have Osteoarthritis, these are the common symptoms to look for.
- Pain after overuse
- Pain after long periods of inactivity
- Stiffness after periods of rest
- Joint swelling
- Joint aching and soreness, especially with movement
- Bony enlargements in the middle and end joints of the fingers
Now that we’ve tackled all the information about Osteoarthritis let’s take a look at how collagen for arthritis can help.
What Is Collagen and What Are Peptides?
Collagen is a protein, and it’s the most abundant one in your body as it accounts for about 1/3 of your body’s protein content.
It’s one of the primary building blocks of hair, skin, nails, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments. It’s also found in the interior walls of your blood vessels, your teeth and corneas.
It’s like a glue that holds all these body parts together.
Peptides are fragments of proteins. They’re made up of amino acids, and when they are combined in specific formations, they create certain peptides that make specific proteins.
There are many benefits of collagen powder, and in particular for treating inflammatory effects of joint breakdown.
How Do Collagen Peptides Help with Joint Breakdown?
Taking collagen may improve the symptoms of Osteoarthritis because it stimulates your body’s production of joint collagen.
Collagen is one of the main proteins found in cartilage and other components of a joint. But over time, as those joints break down, so does the collagen.
The same way that people inject collagen into their skin for elasticity, collagen can help with inflammation in one’s joints.
While more research must be done to establish the fact, many people swear by collagen peptides in dealing with their osteoarthritis pain.
The collagen supplements may accumulate in the body’s cartilage and then stimulate the tissues to make more. This leads to lower inflammation, reduced pain, and better support of one’s joints.
What Are Other Benefits of Taking Collagen?
In addition to helping with osteoarthritis symptoms, there are many other benefits of taking collagen.
It Can Improve Hair and Skin Health
Collagen is a huge component of your hair and skin. It strengthens skin and may help with elasticity and hydration.
As you age, your body produces less of it, which leads to dry hair, skin and wrinkles. Studies are beginning to show that collagen supplements may help to slow that aging process in thinning hair and in skin by reducing dryness and wrinkles.
It Could Prevent Bone Loss
Your bones are also made of mostly collagen.
As the collagen in your body deteriorates with your age, the bone mass in your body does too. This can lead to Osteoarthritis, which is characterized by a lower bone density. Plus, it’s also linked to a higher risk of bone fractures.
Taking collagen supplements may help to inhibit the bone breakdown.
It Could Promote Heart Health
Collagen provides structure to your arteries. Your arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. But without enough of it, arteries may become fragile and weak.
Taking collagen may also help reduce the risk of heart-related conditions.
In addition to taking collagen, there are many other things you can do to improve joint health.
There’s No Harm in Taking Collagen Peptides
While studies can’t yet confirm 100% that taking collagen peptides helps with the breakdown of your joints, many people swear by it, and research continues to support the claim.
Plus, there is no harm in taking collagen, so why not do it? The sooner you start, the more chance you have of preserving your bones and the beautiful way in which your joints function.
Our products won’t break the bank. But if you want to make sure you’re choosing one that’s right for your health and symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact us!
