Broken cartilage is irreparable, and a larger part of the world’s population is reaching elderly age. Thus arthritis is a larger problem than ever. However, jew findings show that conventional therapy can be enhanced with certain micronutrients, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.
The missing repair mechanism of the once destroyed cartilage was already discovered in the 18th century by the Scottish anatomist William Hunter. This is largely due to the structure and function of the cartilage:
Only 5% of the cartilage mass is cartilage cells.
The remaining 95% is extracellular matrix, which contains 70% water and 30% solids. The latter include proteoglycans such as glucosaminoglycan (e.g. chondroitin sulphate).
Arthritis leads to increased cartilage degradation and lost cartilage can no longer be replaced. Therefore, conservative therapy aims to support the cartilage structure and inhibit inflammatory processes associated with oxidative stress.
The German orthopaedist Prof. Dr. Jörg Jerosch summarized new findings on the interaction of the individual therapy components in the renowned “International Journal of Rheumatology”. His summary shows that conventional therapy can be significantly optimized by additional active ingredients.
Focus on Joints
Everyday wear and tear leads to mechanical irritation and thus to inflammation. These inflammatory processes cause a disturbance of the cartilage metabolism as well as cartilage degradation. The “cartilage active substances” protect the structures by promoting the build-up or stabilization of the cartilage tissue. In this context we also speak of a “chondroprotective” (cartilage-protective) effect, which also slows down inflammatory processes.
Chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid protect against inflammation.
An example of such an active ingredient is chondroitin sulphate or hyaluronic acid. This is counteracted by an enzyme called elastase, which decomposes the elastin, promoting stabilizing functions in the cartilage. Oxidative stress and inflammation stimulate and promote harmful elastase.
Cartilage nutrients” such as chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid or glucosamine are already standard in the conservative treatment of arthritis. This method has seen some success, but Jerosch showed that this concept can be optimized.
More Progress is Possible!
Oxidative stress and inflammation are closely related. Therefore, combating oxidative stress has an inhibitory effect on inflammatory processes such as the stimulation of cartilage-destroying elastase. Vitamins C and E are attributed such active qualities. Other micronutrients such as the trace elements selenium, manganese or copper serve an additional approach – they not only promote the formation of cartilage nutrients (e.g. glycosaminglycan), but also inhibit the destructive elastase.
Jerosch therefore sees an additional dose of these vitamins and trace elements as an opportunity to improve conventional conservative treatments.
Omega-3 fatty acids provide an additional boost in the fight against inflammation.
But that’s not all! There is another opportunity for improvement – with certain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). These fatty acids are, once again, capable of having an anti-inflammatory effect.
A German study with 177 participants experiencing moderate to severe hip arthritis showed that inflammation markers can be reduced by up to 12%. Comparing this to the conservative treatment without the addition of omega-3 fatty acids, a therapeutic approach makes sense for all chronic inflammatory processes.
As a result, in modern conservative therapy one should no longer rely on conventional active substances such as chondroitin sulphate or hyaluronic acid alone, but should strive for an improved treatment of the degenerative process. This can be achieved with vitamins C and E as well as the trace elements selenium, manganese, or copper, with additional administration of certain omega-3 fatty acids.
