When someone is looking for natural joint pain relief, the first thing I try to establish is whether it is because their connective tissue is simply wearing down, or whether the issue is more one of excess inflammation.
Since inflammatory problems and connective tissue degradation often occur together, this can be a blurry distinction. In the end, rebuilding and repairing joint tissue most always requires that you address both the supply of the nutrients that joints rely on for their structure, as well as reducing inflammation.
In this article I review some of the principle substances that the joint connective tissue matrix is comprised of, namely glucosamine, collagen type II, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, sulphur, and vitamin C. The sum of these components form a connective tissue matrix, which needs to be maintained to achieve joint comfort and mobility, and all are contained in Optimum Health's Optimized GLS.
When a joint problem is simply an ongoing wear and tear issue, the classic supplement to help rebuild the connective tissue is glucosamine, (GLS). Like sand before cement is mixed, glucosamine is the ground substance in your body’s production of what are called glycosaminoglycans, (GAG’s). Along with chondroitin sulfate, these GAG’s form structures that resemble test-tube brushes. They are found dispersed throughout our cartilage, and in our joint spaces where they attract and hold on to water, helping to form synovial fluid, and giving it a jello-like consistency that provides flexibility and cushioning for our joints. The most important GAG in this respect is hyaluronic acid, capable of retaining up to 1000X its weight in water, and having a protective effect on cartilage. [1]
The cartilage in a joint, (known as articular cartilage), is composed largely of collagen type II. It provides structural integrity, as well as a smooth surface for the two ends of the bones that meet in the joint to rub against each other without friction. In addition, taking collagen type II orally has been shown to "immunize" connective tissue against attack from the immune system, thereby providing significant anti-inflammatory effects of its own. [2]
The formation of collagen is dependent on amino acids such as lysine and proline, as well as vitamin C, and an adequate supply of sulfur. Due to its direct role in collagen formation, vitamin C can enhance the benefits of connective tissue supplements. [3]
Sulfur, on the other hand can be consumed in a pure organic form as methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM. In addition to its necessity for formation of all types of connective tissue, MSM is another substance that has been shown to possess numerous anti-inflammatory qualities. [4] By attenuating inflammatory immune responses MSM can be helpful for our joints, and can enhance recovery from physical exertion/exercise, as well as being helpful for rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. [5,6,7] (Useful to know for arthritis sufferers, as well as those who suffer with exercise "hangovers".) This may also be in part due to MSM's ability to enhance the production of the master antioxidant called glutathione. [8]
MSM's benefits can be further enhanced with botanicals like Boswellia serrata, (AKA: frankincense), which exerts a broad array of potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. [9,10]
By addressing both the structural and inflammatory issues that present with joint pain, Optimized GLS is another Optimum Health's products that provides the benefits of multiple natural ingredients all in one formula. We recently brought this formula back due to popular demand from customers who persistently kept asking, because they found it worked. After all, the science is important, but it's the result that counts!
Read part 1 of this 2 part article: Opti AI Extra - Freedom From Joint Pain
Until next time,
Stay well,
John
References
1. https://www.vri.cz/docs/vetmed/53-8-397.pdf
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12837047
3. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/105/1/136/4569849
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372953/
5.. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5097813/
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458405002852
7.https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d1ca/3a83f67def16746aa3895b2435a726d77faa.pdf
8.http://www.immunehealthscience.com/msm-supplement.html
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309643/
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5366763/
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your physician.
