The Role of Collagen in Cartilage and Bone Health

The Role of Collagen in Cartilage and Bone Health

Collagen is often praised for its benefits to skin and hair, but its role in maintaining the health of cartilage and bones is equally important. As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen is crucial for the structural integrity of various tissues, including cartilage and bones. Without adequate collagen, our joints would lack the cushioning they need, and bones would lose their strength and resilience, leading to conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Keep reading to learn about the role of collagen in cartilage and bone health, explore how collagen supplementation can help, and review the research backing its use for musculoskeletal health.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a fibrous protein that acts as a building block for skin, tendons, cartilage, bones, and other connective tissues. There are many types of collagen, but Types I and II are most relevant to cartilage and bone health:

  • Type I Collagen: This is the most abundant type of collagen and is primarily found in bones, tendons, and ligaments. It gives bones their tensile strength and helps maintain bone density.
  • Type II Collagen: Type II collagen is the primary component of cartilage, the tissue that cushions joints and allows smooth, pain-free movement.

As we age, the body's natural production of collagen declines, leading to a loss of structural integrity in both cartilage and bones. This decline can contribute to joint pain, reduced mobility, and a higher risk of bone fractures.

Collagen's Role in Cartilage Health

Cartilage is a flexible, rubbery tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints, allowing for smooth movement and shock absorption. Type II collagen is a major component of cartilage and provides the tissue with its tensile strength and elasticity. Collagen fibers form a scaffold within the cartilage matrix, maintaining the shape and integrity of the tissue.

When collagen production decreases, the cartilage starts to break down, which can lead to conditions like osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, the loss of cartilage causes bones to rub together, resulting in pain, inflammation, and joint stiffness. Supplementing with collagen may help protect cartilage from further deterioration and reduce the symptoms associated with joint issues.

Research supports the idea that collagen supplements, particularly hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides, can play a role in maintaining and even rebuilding cartilage. A 2016 study published in Nutrition Journal found that collagen supplementation improved cartilage health and reduced joint pain in individuals with osteoarthritis (König et al., 2016).

Collagen's Role in Bone Health

Bones are made up of a combination of minerals, primarily calcium and phosphorus, as well as a collagen matrix that gives bones their structure and flexibility. Type I collagen forms a dense network in bone tissue, providing a scaffold on which minerals can be deposited. This matrix is essential for maintaining bone density and preventing fractures.

As we age, the body produces less collagen, and bones can become more brittle and prone to fractures. This process is accelerated in individuals with osteoporosis, a condition characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. Without enough collagen, bones lose their resilience and strength, making them more vulnerable to breaks and fractures.

Studies suggest that collagen supplementation may help improve bone density and reduce the risk of fractures. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that postmenopausal women who took collagen supplements showed improvements in bone mineral density and had lower levels of bone degradation markers compared to those who did not take collagen (König et al., 2018).

How Collagen Supplements Benefit Cartilage and Bones

Collagen supplements, particularly hydrolyzed collagen (also known as collagen peptides), are broken down into smaller amino acids that the body can readily absorb and use. When taken as a supplement, these amino acids help stimulate the body’s natural collagen production, supporting the repair and maintenance of cartilage and bone tissue.

Here are the key ways collagen supplements benefit cartilage and bone health:

  1. Cartilage Repair: Collagen peptides provide the building blocks for cartilage regeneration, helping to maintain cartilage thickness and reducing joint pain and stiffness.

  2. Bone Density Improvement: Collagen stimulates the production of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation. This process helps to maintain bone density and prevent bone loss, which is especially important in aging populations.

  3. Joint Lubrication: Collagen also supports the production of synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints and reduces friction during movement, further protecting cartilage from wear and tear.

  4. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Some studies suggest that collagen supplements may help reduce inflammation in joints and bones, which is beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammatory processes are often responsible for pain and tissue damage in these conditions, and collagen can potentially help mitigate this.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Collagen for Joint and Bone Health

Several studies support the use of collagen supplements for improving both cartilage and bone health:

  1. Cartilage Health and Joint Pain Relief A randomized controlled trial published in Current Medical Research and Opinion found that individuals with osteoarthritis who took collagen hydrolysate for 24 weeks experienced significant improvements in joint pain and mobility compared to those who took a placebo (Moskowitz, 2000). The study suggests that collagen may help protect and repair cartilage in individuals with joint degeneration.

  2. Bone Density in Postmenopausal Women A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that postmenopausal women who took collagen peptides showed a significant increase in bone mineral density after 12 months of supplementation. The women in the study also showed a reduction in bone degradation markers, suggesting that collagen may slow down the rate of bone loss in aging individuals (König et al., 2018).

  3. Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention Another study published in Osteoporosis International found that hydrolyzed collagen supplementation improved bone mineral density and reduced the risk of fractures in women with osteoporosis (Asserin et al., 2015). The researchers concluded that collagen could play an important role in maintaining bone health and preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Best Collagen Supplements for Cartilage and Bone Health

When choosing a collagen supplement for joint and bone health, consider the following factors:

  • Hydrolyzed Collagen (Collagen Peptides): Hydrolyzed collagen is broken down into smaller peptides, which are more easily absorbed by the body and can be used to support cartilage and bone health.

  • Type II Collagen: For cartilage health, look for supplements that contain Type II collagen, which is specifically beneficial for joint health.

  • Complementary Ingredients: Some collagen supplements are formulated with additional ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, or calcium to further support joint and bone health.

Collagen’s Essential Role in Cartilage and Bone Health

Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity of cartilage and bones. As we age and collagen production declines, the risk of joint pain, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis increases. Collagen supplements, particularly hydrolyzed collagen, offer a promising way to support cartilage repair, improve bone density, and reduce inflammation in the joints.

For those looking to protect their joints and bones, collagen supplements may provide significant benefits, especially when combined with other joint-friendly practices such as weight-bearing exercise, a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and avoiding excessive strain on the joints.

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MSM capsules pain relief
MISMO MSM - 440g / Pure Crystalline - Pain Relief
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MISMO MSM - 2kg Ultra-Pure Distilled - Pain Relief
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MISMO MSM

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What is MSM?

MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane or Dimethyl Sulfone) is an organic sulphur compound found in all living organisms. It is the purest and most bio-available form of sulphur, one of the essential minerals crucial to life and the regeneration of cells. MSM has traditionally been taken as a food supplement to increase joint health for flexibility and mobility, as well as for strong hair and nails, beautiful skin, and other health conditions from leaky gut syndrome to mild arthritis, osteoporosis, and psoriasis. 

Why do we need to supplement with MSM?

Natural MSM is largely destroyed when our food is processed and can be lost entirely when foods and ingredients are stored for a long period of time. MSM bonds with moisture, so any food which undergoes any sort of dehydration will lack its natural MSM.

For these reasons, and because MSM is so critical for almost every athletic function in active bodies, it is important to consistently supplement with a quality MSM nutritional supplement 

What is the science of MSM?

Sulphur is integral to the production of collagen and elastin, and MSM is a source of organic Sulphur. Collagen is the principal structural protein holding the skin together and is largely responsible for the skin’s mechanical properties.  Approximately half of the body's sulphur content is found in the skin, muscles, cartilage and bones.

Click here for more information on The Science of MSM

How can MSM benefit your skin, hair and nails?

  • Protecting collagen against collagen degrading enzymes
  • Reducing fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen and elastin production
  • Boosting the natural production of Glutathione, one of the body's key anti-oxidants ... as an anti-oxidant, MSM will boost the immune system and reduce pigmentation and cellular damage
  • Acting as an anti-inflammatory agent by reducing the production of cytokines (compounds that cause inflammation)
  • Maintaining skin cell membrane flexibility and permeability, promoting an efficient exchange of nutrients and waste products to help keep skin clear
  • Helping to maintaining the body's pH balance

How can MSM help with joint health and support? 

MSM has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a natural alternative to help reduce pain from mild arthritis and osteoarthritis related symptoms.

How does MISMO MSM help with exercise recovery?

Our muscles, skin, bones, organs, and connective tissue all rely on sulphur and without it our bodies can not function properly.  MSM is an important nutritional supplement for anyone living an active lifestyle, as it delivers the sulphur and methyl nutrients which are key to the structure of healthy cells in muscle and connective tissue.

MSM is valued by bodybuilders, strength, and power athletes because it supports healthy and flexible cell structures and can help reduce the inflammation of muscle tissue and can offset muscle soreness and joint pain caused by inflammation.

Where is MSM found and how is it manufactured?

MSM is found in the fluid and tissue of all living organisms. It is present in a variety of foods including raw vegetables, eggs, milk and fish, but is lost through cooking and food processing. One of the richest natural supplies is pine trees and cabbage.

Although MSM is abundant in nature, even the richest natural sources only provide MSM in the level of several parts per million. Commercial extraction of MSM from trees is not possible so a process is undertaken which parallels the natural oxidation that occurs in the marine atmosphere and produces MSM that is a chemical compound identical to that found in nature.

Click here for a detailed explanation of how MSM is manufactured.

What is the difference between Distilled Ultra-Pure MSM and Pure-Crystalline MSM?

With the distilled product, the MSM solution is heated up to a point where the MSM is released as a vapour and the pure crystals are formed and harvested as the vapour cools on the inside surface of a distillation column.  The heating-up of the MSM solution and the subsequent cooling and harvesting process requires a lot more energy, and hence the reason why the price is a bit higher.

With the crystalline product, the MSM solution is "spun" at super-high speed in a centrifuge and the MSM crystals are formed on the walls of the centrifuge.  And although the MSM solution is highly-pure before the crystallisation process begins (having undergone a reverse-osmosis filtration process), there is a remote possibility that if there are any trace impurities in the solution they can become encapsulated in the crystalline structure.


How pure is MISMO MSM?

Every batch of our MSM is rigourously tested by an independent laboratory to ensure the highest possible quality with no additives or anti-caking agents. MSM is gluten free and vegan / vegetarian. Packaged in Australia from imported ingredients.

    How much MISMO MSM should I be taking?

    An average dose is between 2 to 6 grams daily. Most people take a teaspoon (approx. 4 grams) daily. If more relief is needed, increase the dose slowly. Can be taken in water or juice after breakfast, although there are no rules as to when you should take MSM.

    It is recommended to take MSM in the morning, as it can give a boost of energy. Side effects when starting out with MSM can be nausea and/or headaches. This is not uncommon and is linked to the detoxifying benefits of MSM. We recommend lowering your dose if experiencing these symptoms and gradually increasing with time.

    WARNINGS: If taking strong blood thinners, do not take MSM without your doctor's approval. Not to be taken by children without a health professional's advice.  MSM can also interfere with the accuracy of the blood test for liver enzymes by sometimes producing false positive results. It is recommended you cease taking MSM at least 4 days before these blood tests. You can resume after the test.

    Is MISMO MSM listed with the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration)?

    Yes, click here to view the TGA listing for MISMO MSM

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