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Some say: “If you don’t feel any pain with age, you’re probably dead”. Well, while that may be true, the odd ache and twinge here and there is only to be expected. But that’s not to say that people have to suffer in silence. Quite the opposite, in fact, as we believe that a lot can be done to significantly improve quality of life in later years. Osteoarthritis is a perfect example, and in this latest instalment in GELITA’s “White Tissue Series” blog, we’ll delve more deeply into what is an increasingly common health issue.

Let’s start with the facts: Globally, osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, and rates increase with age – particularly during the second half of life. Nearly half of all women and one-third of all men aged 65 and over suffer from osteoarthritis. It’s characterised by degenerative processes in the joints that begin with the gradual erosion of joint cartilage, and can lead to the exposure of bone surfaces. The bones, muscles and ligaments attached to the joints can also be affected.

Now, as an avid reader of our blog, you probably know that joints and all the above mentioned parts of our musculoskeletal system belong to the so-called “white tissue”. All parts of white tissue function as a network, connecting and protecting the whole musculoskeletal system, thus ensuring optimal movement. Our white tissue is primarily made of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body. And since the cause of osteoarthritis is wear and tear of collagen-rich joint cartilage tissue, we set out to discover if there was a way to stop or even prevent this process, and restore the tissue. Treating symptoms is important for short-term relief – however, the real solution lies in treating the source of the problem. And that means supplementation with specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides®.

Our FORTIGEL® has been developed to measurably stimulate the synthesis of cartilage tissue. Thus, it counteracts erosion of the joint cartilage caused by factors such as ageing, excessive weight-bearing or intense physical exercise. The science behind FORTIGEL® is both sound and convincing. After oral administration, these collagen peptides pass the mucosa, enter the bloodstream intact and subsequently accumulate in the joint cartilage. Once in the cartilage, they stimulate the cartilage cells (the so-called chondrocytes) to increase the production of both collagen and proteoglycans - the two major components that make up approximately 90% of cartilage dry mass.

Many clinical studies have been done. These investigations showed that the administration of FORTIGEL® is not only safe, but also leads to significant pain reduction and a marked improvement in overall mobility. And this, in turn, improves quality of life, which brings us back to the beginning of the story. In short, a lot can be done to support healthy ageing – so let’s do it together!

Recently, clinical studies also showed the positive effect on the joint health of healthy individuals. As this blog article focused on people that suffer from osteoarthritis, we will dedicate the next issue of this series on FORTIGEL® within the sports nutrition segment. So stay tuned!

Intrigued to know more? Get in touch with our nutritional and technical experts today. And if you want to learn more about the benefits of specific collagen peptides for other parts of the white tissue, check out our remaining “White Tissue Series” blogposts.