Joint pain and discomfort can be crippling for many and reducing the severity of this pain and inflammation as well as repairing joints is often a priority to help ease the symptoms day-to-day. After all, pain caused by Osteoarthritis, where the cartilage breaks down, grinding down the joints as the bones rub together, is certainly uncomfortable.  Until around the age of 30, this cartilage regenerates quickly but after this age, this process slows down, so the cartilage layer becomes thinner between the joints. Furthermore, strenuous high impact exercising, excess weight and even a sedentary lifestyle exacerbate this degeneration.

Consuming collagen regularly can be effective in the rebuilding and repair of cartilage. Collagen is a bioactive ingredient that promotes joint health by helping to repair joint matrix degeneration and improving long-term joint comfort and mobility. Studies have shown that ingestion of collagen peptides directly improves joint mobility, comfort and reduces joint pain. These collagen peptides are accumulated in cartilage and help to repair joint matrix degeneration by stimulating chondrocytes cells for the biosynthesis of collagen.

When it comes to joint health, consuming a variety of collagen sources is recommended. Hydrolysed collagen is highly bioavailable therefore more easily absorbed by the body. Type II collagen is particularly good as it not only contains collagen but also Chondroitin sulphate, Glucosamine and Hyaluronic acid all of which will help with joint pain and inflammation. A good bone broth will provide all of these goodies in the one place.

Once it has been absorbed, it will act as building blocks in the cells to produce new collagen fibres.

In order to maximize the benefits of taking a collagen supplement, make sure your diet contains adequate vitamin C, which is needed to synthesise collagen. This can be found in high concentrations in citrus fruits or berries.

Without doubt, taking a collagen supplement alongside dietary and lifestyle changes is ultimately the most effective approach to reduce collagen damage and therefore joint pain, as you age. 

Written by Bruno Rossitt, Founding CEO Nutraviva, BEd(PhysEd)