With the rising number of the aging population, the demand for solutions that can keep them active and that can battle age-related conditions, like osteoarthritis, is also on the rise.
Recently, one of the emerging products on the market that is said to help in strengthening the bones and joints and keep them properly functioning is collagen.
Bone Joint Health
The drawbacks of aging are apparent. As mentioned earlier, a common condition in this life stage is osteoarthritis, one of the leading causes of disability and pain among the elderly.
Know that the bones that make up the skeleton is also composed of collagen fibers and cells in an intracellular material made of mineralized substances. Remember, the bones are always the state of flux; skeleton integrity and maintaining essential mineral levels in the body have to do with bone turnover or remodeling.
It is uncertain as to what age does bone loss starts, but it has been told that it may be starting in the 30s for both men and women. Then, it has been said that about 15% of the bones is replaced annually by bone turnover.
On the other hand is bone resorption, a process wherein the breaking down of osteoclasts happens. This releases minerals that lead to the transfer of calcium from the bones to the bloodstream. The problem is that the irregular rate of bone formation and resorption is leading to bone loss—a sign of osteopenia.
What collagen has to do with bone and joint health?
Orally administered collagen peptides may prove to help people who are suffering from the effects of bone metabolism, several studies have revealed. It is particularly helpful for the people with osteopenia, a disease characterized by calcium deficiency.
According to some studies, consumption of 10 grams of collagen peptides may help sufferers increase their bone mass density.
Studies have shown that collagen peptides may be effective on bone metabolism by inducing differentiation/maturation of osteoblast, while stimulating their activity. In this case, bone resorption may be prevented during bone loss.
Additionally, experts have revealed that collagen has indeed its benefits for bone and joint health because it can help in increasing bone and mineral density. It may also help in strengthening bones and increasing bone size.
In another study to prove the efficiency and usefulness of collagen peptides for subjects with knee osteoarthritis, it has revealed that those who were given with 10 grams of it daily had experienced joint comfort and the subjects with the worst cases had benefited from collagen peptides the most.
While many of the studies are yet to reach conclusion to prove collagen peptides’ efficiency for improving the health of and treating conditions of the joint and bones, they give hope to patients who are looking for solutions. Experts also believe that collagen peptides have their potentials in bone and joint health.
