It’s common knowledge that cartilage is an important part of the musculoskeletal system. But do you realize how important it really is? The human skeleton consists of more than 200 bones connected with joints. The surface of the joints is covered with cartilage. This softens friction so that our movements do not cause us pain or harm.
Cartilage also acts as a shock absorber during physical stress which occurs with almost any kind of movement.
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Learn more about cartilage
Our joints are a complex system that is designed by nature so that we don’t even feel it functioning. When we move our cartilage secretes fluid into the joints to soften the impact of walking and other movements. When we stop moving the released fluid is absorbed back into the cartilage and attaches itself to proteoglycans which are the basic building blocks of cartilage. Glucosamine, which helps bind hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate (which in turn produces proteoglycans), influences the production of proteoglycans. These are the “building blocks” of cartilage. The binder known as collagen holds them together in an elastic way – simplistically it can be thought of as mortar holding bricks together.
When movement causes pain
Problems with cartilage tissue can be recognized by simply bending any joint – knees, elbows, and other parts of the body. Even joint soreness in the toes can indicate problems with the joints and the cartilage that connects them.
Many people think that joint disease is an age-related problem. Don’t be fooled, this is not the case. Any, even the smallest movement engages the cartilage so pain will come sooner or later. You don’t have to be an athlete and experience increased exertion for this to happen. You cannot exclude the possibility of problems with joints even with a sedentary job and little physical activity. Those who need to be particularly careful are the ones who have undergone surgery or suffer from congenital endocrinological malformations or neurological or infectious diseases.
It is worth thinking about your joints in advance and strengthening them in time, especially those who subject them to increased stress at work or in sports and people who are overweight.
Signs of the disease
Joint pain in older people is caused mainly by the gradual wear and tear of cartilage. Osteoarthritis, a disease in which cartilage degenerates, often develops in older age. Major changes occur within the cartilage and its elasticity deteriorates. This is due to the decreased production of proteoglycan (the basic building blocks of cartilage), damage to collagen support (the main cartilage binder) and an undesirable increase in water content. The result is weakened cartilage and increased vulnerability.
We do not notice the initial changes because cartilage does not capture the nerve endings. Therefore, cartilage and the joint apparatus must be taken care of in advance. Timely and proper care and nutrition of the joints and the cartilage that connects them will relieve pain and prevent serious problems.
How to get rid of pain
Many people with joint pain take painkillers which relieve the soreness but do not solve the problem. The cartilage remains damaged and weak. The joint system is very complex and requires special attention.
Two steps to success include:
1. Focus on proper nutrition and grooming.
2. Being persistent and patient.
Proper quality nutrition is necessary to support the synthesis of important substances such as collagen as well as glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. It strengthens the cartilage which resists the stress that the joints undergo on a daily basis. Glucosamine Sulphate and Chondroitin Sulphate are also part of other connective tissues such as bones, ligaments, and tendons.
