Arthritis one of the most common diseases of the aging population. It is a condition in which the cartilage that acts as cushion and lubrication in the joints breaks down, causing the friction of bone on bone contact when moving the joint. In some cases, the cartilage breaks down due to stress and overuse. Sometimes arthritis can be caused by an abnormal response of the body’s immune system. Both types, along with the over 100 other types of arthritis all cause pain and stiffness, and often a decreased range of motion and limited mobility.
For a long time, arthritis has been considered progressive and irreversible. The only “cure” for the joint pain and inflammation was joint replacement surgery. However, some experts have been studying ways to rebuild damaged joints without surgery.
Undenatured Type II Collagen Supplementation
Some promising treatments for repairing joints affected by arthritis are by using undenatured type II collagen (UC-II). Arthritis is thought to be triggered when the immune system’s T cells attack the collagen in the cartilage that lines the inside of joints, causing swelling and pain. UC-II supplements have shown positive results in curbing pain and inflammation, and even stopping the progression of the disease altogether.
How It Works
UC-II does not replace the affected collagen in joints, but instead has a molecular structure that interferes with the body’s immune response. The idea behind supplementing with UC-II is that the immune system may encounter proteins, such as those found in joint collagen, and launch an attack if it is something it does not recognize. By introducing UC-II to the body, it desensitizes the immune system by teaching the T cells that joint collagen is not a foreign invader. This is a very simplified explanation, but it gets at the general idea behind how it works.
Many studies on oral supplements of UC-II have shown that it successfully decreases arthritis symptoms, such as pain, swelling and loss of mobility.
Conclusion
Some arthritis sufferers take multiple types of medication to control their symptoms, and that can possibly lead to unwanted side effects. Finding a way to actually stop the disease instead of just masking symptoms could benefit the millions of people who are affected with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. More research will continue to be conducted on the subject, but it is starting to look like arthritics may have the chance to finally put the brakes on this disease.