Joints are the bone connectors, on which the body’s flexibility and range of movement depends. Joint function and freedom of movement are also linked to a good bone, ligament and muscle condition.
Each end of the bone that makes up a joint is covered by cartilage, which is essential for its smooth and consistent movement. The cartilage helps to reduce friction so that bones don’t rub against each other, as well as to distribute the load, and to reduce the loads generated during movement.
Substances essential for joints:
- Collagen, the main and most abundant structural protein found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue, is composed of amino acids. Hydrolyzed collagen is broken down into small peptides and has a much lower molecular weight than natural collagen. When taken orally, hydrolyzed collagen is absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream in the form of both small collagen peptides and free amino acids.
- Chondroitin sulphate is one of the main complex heteropolysaccharides belonging to the glycosaminoglycan class. Chondroitin sulphate is abundant in all mammalian and human connective tissues, especially in the cartilage, skin, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons.
- Glucosamine is an amino saccharide synthesized from glucose, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans. Glucosamine is present in almost all tissues of the human body, especially the connective tissues, with the highest concentration in cartilage. It has been shown that when taken in the form of glucosamine sulphate, about 90% of the glucosamine is rapidly absorbed by the body.
- Hyaluronic acid is a high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan, and is one of the most hydrophilic (water-loving) molecules in nature. In the body, hyaluronic acid is found in the connective tissues, including cartilage.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a nutrient that is unique in its effects, and is needed by the body as an antioxidant and cofactor in many enzymatic reactions. Vitamin C is not synthesised in the human body, so it is important to ensure that there is no deficiency in your diet. The amount of vitamin C in fruit and vegetables gradually decreases during storage and a large part of the vitamin C is degraded by heat treatment, so your vitamin C intake may need to be supplemented, depending on the changing seasons and the overall nutritional adequacy of your diet. The need for ascorbic acid increases when the body has to function under increased stress (e.g. during intense sports, or when subjected to high levels of tension). It has also been observed that smokers need to consume more vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to be involved in many biochemical reactions as an electron donor and coenzyme for various enzymes, including dioxygenases, which help stabilise the structure of the collagen molecule. Normal collagen synthesis is important for many of the body’s tissues, as most of them (bones, cartilage, tendons, blood vessels, gums and skin) contain collagen.
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is synthesised in the deeper layers of the epidermis in the human skin when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV-B) rays. Scientists have found that more than 80% of people in European latitudes do not get enough of this vitamin in the winter. Even in summer, some people do not synthesise enough vitamin D. Vitamin D is also available from foods of a plant and animal origin, but it is only naturally present in low levels. Vitamin D is involved in many processes in the body and has many functions, one of the most important of which is to maintain proper calcium and phosphorus concentrations. This balance is important for the cellular processes, bone mineralisation and the nerve and muscle functions. Vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones and teeth. It is known that a certain amount of vitamin D is necessary for the efficient absorption of calcium, and the maintenance of normal calcium and phosphorus concentrations, which in turn are essential for normal mineralisation of the bones and teeth. Without vitamin D, only about 15% of the calcium and 60% of the phosphorus would be absorbed. Vitamin D has also been found to help maintain normal muscle functions. A lack of vitamin D in the body leads to muscle weakness.