Dietrs for the joints: myths and reality

Section 1: Anatomy and joint physiology: the basis of understanding the problem

Joints are complex structures that provide skeleton mobility and allow us to perform a wide range of movements. To understand the effectiveness and feasibility of using dietary supplements (biologically active additives) for joints, it is necessary to delve into their anatomy and physiology.

• Joint components: A typical synovial joint, the most common type in the body, consists of several key components:

  • Joint surfaces of the bones: The ends of the bones forming the joint are covered with smooth hyalin cartilage.
  • Hyalin cartilage: This specialized type of cartilage that does not contain blood vessels and nerves provides gluing bones relative to each other, minimizing friction and amortizing shock loads. It consists of chondrocytes (cartilage cells) surrounded by an intercellular substance, consisting mainly of type II collagen, proteoglycans (agrekan) and water.
  • The joint capsule: A dense fibrous membrane surrounding the joint, providing its stability and limiting the range of movements.
  • Synovial membrane: The inner layer of the joint capsule lining the joint cavity and produces the synovial fluid.
  • Synovial fluid: A viscous fluid filling the joint cavity, which serves as a grease for cartilage, providing its nutrition and removes metabolic products. It contains hyaluronic acid, which gives it viscosity, as well as other components, such as lubricin (protein that reduces friction).
  • Blues: Durable strips of connective tissue connecting the bones to each other, ensuring the stability of the joint and limiting its movement in certain areas.
  • Meniski (in some joints, for example, knee): Half -lung structures made of fibrous cartilage located between the articular surfaces of the bones that improve the congruence of the joint, amortizing shock loads and contribute to the distribution of synovial fluid.

• Carthing power mechanisms: Hyalin cartilage does not have blood vessels. Chondrocytes are powered by diffusion of nutrients from synovial fluid. This process depends on:

  • Cyclic load: The joint movement provides a “pump” effect that promotes the penetration of nutrients into cartilage and the removal of metabolic products. The absence of a load leads to a deterioration in cartilage.
  • Composition of synovial fluid: A sufficient amount of hyaluronic acid and other nutrients in the synovial fluid is necessary to maintain cartilage health.
  • Health of the synovial membrane: Inflammation of the synovial membrane can disrupt the composition and amount of synovial fluid, worsening cartilage.

• Joint functions: The main functions of the joints include:

  • Ensuring mobility: Joints allow bones to move relative to each other, providing a wide range of movements.
  • Amortization of shock loads: The cartilage and other components of the joint amortize shock loads, protecting the bones from damage.
  • Stability: The ligaments and muscles surrounding the joint provide its stability and prevent excessive movements.

• Age -related changes and degenerative processes: With age and under the influence of various factors, the joints are subjected to degenerative changes.

  • Carty degradation: With age, the synthesis of cartilage components (collagen and proteoglycans) decreases, and its destruction increases. This leads to thinning of the cartilage, the loss of its elasticity and an increase in friction between the joint surfaces.
  • Changes in synovial fluid: With age, the viscosity of the synovial fluid is reduced, the content of hyaluronic acid decreases, which worsens its lubricating properties.
  • Bone changes: Bone tissue subject to cartilage can compact (subchondral sclerosis) and form bone growths (osteophytes), which exacerbates degenerative processes.
  • Inflammation: Degenerative changes in the joints can lead to chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane, which even more damages cartilage and other components of the joint.

Understanding these anatomical and physiological aspects is critical of assessing the potential efficiency of dietary supplements for the joints. The dietary supplements, theoretically, can affect various components of the joint, such as cartilage, synovial fluid and bone tissue. However, their effectiveness depends on many factors, including the composition of the dietary supplement, the degree of damage to the joint, the individual characteristics of the body and the lifestyle.

Section 2: common diseases of the joints: Purpose of the use of dietary supplements

The use of dietary supplements for joints is most often considered in the context of alleviating symptoms and slowing down the progression of various joint diseases. The most common of them:

• Osteoarthrosis (OA) / Arthrosis: The most common joint disease, characterized by progressive destruction of cartilage, changes in bone tissue, the formation of osteophytes and inflammation. OA can hit any joints, but most often found in the knee, hip, hands and spine.
  • Symptoms: The pain in the joint, intensifying during load, stiffness in the morning or after an inaction, limitation of mobility, crunch in the joint during movement, edema and inflammation.
  • Objectives for the use of dietary supplements: Reducing pain and inflammation, improving the mobility of the joint, slowing down the destruction of cartilage, stimulation of cartilage regeneration (which is a controversial issue).
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Autoimmune disease, characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane, leading to the destruction of cartilage, bone tissue and other joint components. RA usually affects the small joints of the hands and feet, but other joints can affect.
  • Symptoms: Pain, edema and stiffness in the joints, especially in the morning, symmetrical damage to the joints (for example, both hands), fatigue, general malaise, fever.
  • Objectives for the use of dietary supplements: Reducing inflammation, relief of pain, slowing down the progression of the disease (auxiliary role, does not replace basic therapy). It is important to note that the use of dietary supplements for RA requires caution and consultation with a doctor, as some additives can interact with drugs used to treat RA.
• Gout: The disease caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints and other tissues. Most often, the joint of the thumb of the foot (gouty arthritis) is striking.
  • Symptoms: Acute pain, edema and redness of the joint, usually occurring suddenly.
  • Objectives for the use of dietary supplements: Reducing the level of uric acid in the blood (for example, cherry extract), a decrease in inflammation and pain during an attack. Bades are used as an auxiliary agent that does not replace the main therapy aimed at reducing uric acid levels.
• Other diseases: Bades can also be used for other diseases of the joints, such as psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (ankylide disease), a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with joint damage. In these cases, the use of dietary supplements should also be agreed with the doctor and is considered as part of the integrated approach to treatment.

Section 3: The main components of dietary supplements for the joints: scientific data and myths

The market for joints offers a wide range of products containing various components, each of which is positioned as helping to improve joint health. Consider the most common components and evaluate their effectiveness based on available scientific data:

• Glucosamine and chondroitin: These are the most studied components of dietary supplements for the joints.
  • Glucosamine: Aminosaccharide, which is the predecessor of glycosaminoglycans (GAG), the main components of cartilage. It is believed that glucosamine contributes to the synthesis of gag and hyaluronic acid, improving the structure of cartilage and the properties of synovial fluid.
  • Chondroitin: Sulfate glycosaminoglican, also an important component of cartilage. It is believed that chondroitin inhibits enzymes that destroy cartilage (for example, matrix metal -propriets), and stimulates the synthesis of new cartilage components.
  • Scientific data: The results of clinical studies of glucosamine and chondroitin are contradictory. Some studies show a moderate decrease in pain and improving joint function in patients with osteoarthritis, especially in the knee joint. However, other studies did not reveal a significant advantage compared to placebo. Large multicenter study of Gait (Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis International Trial), conducted in the USA) showed that glucosamine and chondroitin in combination or separately do not provide statistically significant improvement of the symptoms of the OA as a whole, but may be effective among the subgroup of patients with moderate and moderate and miracle and Severe pain in the knee joint. Research meta-analyzes also give ambiguous results. Some meta-analyzes show a small advantage of glucosamine and chondroitin, others are the lack of an effect. It is important to note that the quality of research varies, and some studies may be subject to displacements.
  • Myths:
    • Myth: glucosamine and chondroitin completely restore cartilage. Reality: there is no evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin can completely restore the destroyed cartilage. They can slow down its further destruction and alleviate the symptoms, but do not have regenerative properties that can completely restore cartilage tissue.
    • Myth: All forms of glucosamine and chondroitin are equally effective. Reality: there are various forms of glucosamine (glucosamine sulfate, hydrochloride glucosamine) and chondroitin (chondroitin sulfate), and their effectiveness may vary. Most studies were carried out using glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The quality of chondroitin can also vary depending on the source (for example, shark cartilage, cattle cartilage).
    • Myth: the higher the dose of glucosamine and chondroitin, the better. Reality: an increase in the dose does not always lead to an increase in efficiency. Recommended doses are usually 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 1200 mg of chondroitin per day. Exceeding these doses can increase the risk of side effects.
• Hyaluronic acid: The main component of the synovial fluid, providing its viscosity and lubricating properties.
  • The mechanism of action: Hyaluronic acid reduces friction between the articular surfaces, amortizes shock loads and promotes cartilage nutrition.
  • Scientific data: Hyaluronic acid can be used as injections directly into the joint (intra -articular injections) or in the form of oral additives. Intra -articular injections of hyaluronic acid have shown the effectiveness in reducing pain and improving the function of joints with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. The oral additives of hyaluronic acid have a smaller evidence base. Some studies show that they can improve the condition of the skin and reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis, but additional studies are needed to confirm these results. The effectiveness of oral hyaluronic acid can depend on its molecular mass and the ability to be absorbed in the intestines.
  • Myths:
    • Myth: oral hyaluronic acid is as effective as intra -articular injections. Reality: intra -articular injections of hyaluronic acid provide a higher concentration of the substance directly in the joint and, as a rule, are more effective than oral additives.
    • Myth: Hyaluronic acid completely eliminates the cause of osteoarthritis. Reality: hyaluronic acid does not treat osteoarthrosis, but only relieves symptoms.
• Collagen: The main structural protein of connective tissue, including cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
  • Types of collagen: There are various types of collagen, but the most important for the health of the joints are type II collagen (forms the basis of cartilage) and type I collagen (forms the basis of ligaments and tendons).
  • The mechanism of action: It is believed that collagen peptides obtained as a result of collagen hydrolysis stimulate the synthesis of new collagen in cartilage and other tissues. Type II undnstured collagen can affect the immune system, reducing inflammation in the joints.
  • Scientific data: Some studies show that the oral intake of hydrolyzed collagen can reduce joint pain, improve their function and increase bone density. Type orenaturated collagen also showed some effectiveness in reducing pain and stiffness with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, additional studies with large samples and a strict design are needed to confirm these results.
  • Myths:
    • Myth: Collagen is directly built into the cartilage. Reality: collagen taken orally is broken down in the intestines into peptides and amino acids. These peptides and amino acids can stimulate the synthesis of a new collagen in cartilage, but do not integrate into it directly.
    • Myth: All collagen additives are equally effective. Reality: the effectiveness of collagen additives may depend on the type of collagen, the degree of its hydrolysis, the source of raw materials and the individual characteristics of the body.
• Methyl sulfonylmetatan (MSM): An organic sulfur -containing compound, which is believed to have anti -inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
  • The mechanism of action: MSM can reduce inflammation in the joints, relieve pain and improve their function.
  • Scientific data: Some studies show that MSM can reduce pain and improve joint function for osteoarthritis. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these results.
  • Myths:
    • Myth: MSM treats all joint diseases. Reality: MSM is not a cure for joint diseases, but can only relieve symptoms.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Polyunsaturated fatty acids with anti -inflammatory properties.
  • The mechanism of action: Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation in the joints, relieve pain and improve their function.
  • Scientific data: Some studies show that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce pain and constraint with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
  • Myths:
    • Myth: Omega-3 fatty acids can completely replace anti-inflammatory drugs. Reality: omega-3 fatty acids can be a useful addition to the treatment of joint diseases, but cannot completely replace anti-inflammatory drugs, especially with severe inflammation.
• Vitamin D: It is important for the health of bones and joints.
  • The mechanism of action: Vitamin D helps to absorb the calcium necessary to maintain bone density. Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of osteoarthrosis and other joint diseases.
  • Scientific data: Some studies show that the adequate level of vitamin D in the blood is associated with a lower risk of development of osteoarthrosis and improvement of joint function.
  • Myths:
    • Myth: Vitamin D intake relieves all joint problems. Reality: Vitamin D is important for joint health, but not a panacea. It helps maintain bone density and can reduce the risk of developing certain diseases of the joints, but does not heal them.
• Boswellia serrata: A plant containing bosvelly acids that have anti -inflammatory properties.
  • The mechanism of action: Boswellic acids can inhibit enzymes involved in the inflammatory process and reduce joint pain.
  • Scientific data: Some studies show that Boswellial extract can reduce pain and improve joint function for osteoarthritis.
• Kurkuma (Curcuma longa): A spice containing curcumin, which has anti -inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
  • The mechanism of action: Kurkumin can reduce inflammation in the joints, relieve pain and improve their function.
  • Scientific data: Some studies show that curcumin can reduce pain and stiffness with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the bioavailability of curcumin is limited, therefore, in order to achieve the therapeutic effect, it is necessary to use special forms of curcumin, which improve its absorption.
• S-adenosylmetionine (SAME): A natural compound present in all cells of the body.
  • The mechanism of action: Same can reduce pain and inflammation in the joints, as well as contribute to the synthesis of cartilage.
  • Scientific data: Some studies show that SAME can be effective in reducing pain and improving joint function for osteoarthritis, comparable to non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, SAME can interact with some drugs, so before its use it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Section 4: risks and side effects of dietary supplements for joints

Despite the fact that dietary supplements are positioned as safe and natural remedies, they can cause side effects and interact with drugs. It is important to consider the following risks:

• Side effects: Some dietary supplements can cause side effects, such as the disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, edema), headache, and dizziness.
• Interaction with drugs: Bades can interact with drugs, enhancing or weakening their effect, or causing undesirable side effects. For example, glucosamine can interact with warfarin, increasing its anticoagulant effect and increasing the risk of bleeding. Kurkumin can interact with anticoagulants and anti -signs, also increasing the risk of bleeding.
• Inaccurate information about the composition: Some dad manufacturers may indicate inaccurate information about the composition of the product, for example, overestimate the content of active substances or add not declared ingredients. This can be dangerous for consumer health.
• Lack of quality control: Unlike drugs, dietary supplements do not undergo strict quality control, which can lead to pollution of products with heavy metals, pesticides or other harmful substances.
• Masks of serious diseases: The use of dietary supplements to alleviate the symptoms of joint diseases can lead to late diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or oncological diseases.
• Breastal safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding: The safety of most dietary supplements has not been studied in pregnant and nursing women, so their use during this period is not recommended.
• Individual intolerance: Some people may have individual intolerance to individual components of dietary supplements, which can lead to allergic reactions or other side effects.

Before using dietary supplements for the joints, you need to consult a doctor, especially if you have any chronic diseases, you take medications or plan a pregnancy. It is important to choose dietary supplements from well -known and reliable manufacturers that guarantee the quality of their products.

Section 5: Alternative and complex approaches to the treatment of joint diseases

Bades should not be considered the only or main means of treating joint diseases. It is important to use an integrated approach that includes the following components:

• Medication: Depending on the disease of the joints and its severity, the doctor can prescribe drugs, such as non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, corticosteroids, basic drugs (with rheumatoid arthritis), drugs that reduce uric acid level (with gout).
• Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of joint diseases. It includes exercises to strengthen muscles, improve joint mobility, reduce pain and inflammation. Physiotherapeutic methods, such as electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, can also be useful.
• Medical physical education (exercise therapy): Regular exercise exercises help strengthen muscles that support joints, improve their mobility and reduce pain. It is important to choose exercises that do not overload the joints. Low shock load exercises are recommended, such as swimming, walking, cycling.
• Weight loss: Excessive weight has an additional load on the joints, especially on the knee and hip. Weight reduction can significantly reduce pain and improve the function of the joints.
• Diet: Proper nutrition plays an important role in maintaining joint health. It is recommended to consume foods rich in antioxidants (fruits, vegetables), omega-3 fatty acids (fish, linseed oil), vitamin D (fish, eggs). Products that promote inflammation (red meat, treated foods, sugar) should be avoided.
• Orthopedic devices: The use of orthopedic devices, such as orthosis, bandages, canes, can help reduce the load on the joints and relieve pain.
• Intra -articular injections: Intra -articular injections of hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids can be effective in reducing pain and improving joint function with osteoarthritis.
• Surgical treatment: In severe cases, when conservative methods of treatment are ineffective, surgical intervention, such as arthroscopy, joint endoprosthetics, may be required.
• Life change change: It is important to avoid excessive loads on the joints, properly lift weights, use comfortable shoes and observe the mode of work and rest.
• Alternative methods: Some people find relief in alternative treatment methods such as acupuncture, massage, yoga. However, the effectiveness of these methods is not always confirmed by scientific research.

The choice of the optimal approach to the treatment of joint diseases should be carried out individually, taking into account the disease, its severity, the age of the patient, concomitant diseases and other factors. It is important to cooperate with a doctor and other specialists (physiotherapist, nutritionist, exercise therapy specialist) to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Bades can be part of an integrated approach, but should not replace the main treatment methods.