Bone : Joints : Connective Tissue

With approximately 1 in 3 adults in the US between 25 and 74 years of age showing radiological evidence of Osteoarthritis (OA) in at least one joint, it should come as no surprise that Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder and the leading cause of joint disability. While more pervasive in older adults, degenerative joint disease (DJD) is not an inevitable consequence of growing older. It develops when trauma, and/or biochemical changes trigger a shift between joint cartilage synthesis and degradation.

Essentially, when the cartilage synthesis of any joint cannot keep pace with the background degradation of the cartilage, the joint will degenerate. Two very important factors play a primary role in joint deterioration. The first factor is the reduction in proteoglycan production in the joint cartilage, and the second is the rate of production of inflammatory catabolic cytokines in the chondrocytes and synovial cells. While genetics, diet, and trauma contribute significantly to the development of Osteoarthritis, supporting the joint cartilage matrix and connective tissue with specific nutraceuticals may prove beneficial in reducing further damage and restoring joint mobility.*