Sports nutrition for ligaments and joints: review, rating, instructions for use

A large number of diseases of the musculoskeletal system are accompanied by the progressive destruction of cartilage tissue, which is accompanied not only by severe pain, but also by significant restrictions on mobility. As the pathological process progresses, the cartilage can be so destroyed that it will lead to the formation of bone outgrowths on the articular surfaces, called osteophytes, and ultimately the fusion of bones, which completely eliminates the possibility of movement in the affected joint. Very often, similar processes occur in the spine.

With them, patients are almost always prescribed drugs called chondroprotectors. Since they are far from low in cost, it is important to understand what chondroprotectors are and how effective their use is.

What are chondroprotectors

Chondroprotectors are a group of drugs whose main components are glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate. These compounds are the building blocks from which connective tissue is formed. Thus, their use helps to activate the processes of restoration of cartilage tissue, including intervertebral discs, and stop the progression of ongoing degenerative-dystrophic processes. But chondroprotectors affect not only the condition of the joints, but also our skin, making it more hydrated, elastic, and healthy.

Drugs in this group must be taken for a long time, and the first effect of their use can be assessed no earlier than after 2 months of regular use. During this time, the active components of the product penetrate the cartilage and provoke the synthesis of new cells. Also, these compounds are able to block the action of enzymes that destroy cartilage tissue and normalize the physicochemical properties of synovial fluid.

Synovial fluid is a special thick fluid contained inside the joints that softens the friction of their surfaces.

Thus, thanks to the use of chondroprotectors, it is possible to stop the destructive processes in cartilage and stimulate its regeneration, which helps reduce pain and normalize mobility. But in reality, many patients do not notice a significant difference before and after using chondroprotectors, which forces them to dig deeper and figure out whether they are really effective.

Are chondroprotectors effective?

The nutrition of the cartilage tissue of the joints is organized by nature in such a way that it does not receive nutrients directly from the bloodstream, i.e. cartilage does not have its own blood vessels, and the substances they need are delivered from the blood by diffusion. Otherwise, numerous blood vessels of different sizes would envelop the joint. This would lead to their injury during movements and, accordingly, the formation of hematomas of different sizes.

Diffusion of nutrients and metabolic products is carried out due to compression of the cartilage at the time of movement. For example, intervertebral discs are compressed by the vertebral bodies with each step, which leads to the displacement of tissue fluid from them. At the moment the load is removed, there is a sharp decrease in pressure on the disc, as a result of which it straightens back and absorbs tissue fluid already enriched with nutrients.

Consequently, processes of destruction and restoration constantly occur over the entire surface of the intervertebral disc. But under the influence of negative factors, the balance between these processes is disrupted, and the cartilage tissue gradually wears out without having time to completely regenerate, i.e., arthrosis develops.

Chondroprotectors should intervene in these processes and help accelerate recovery processes. But studies conducted by European and American scientists over 11 years have shown that only about 3-5% of substances introduced into the body through the gastrointestinal tract are absorbed and distributed throughout the body. The rest of the mass of chondroitin and glucosamine is decomposed by enzymes into amino acids.

You can check the degree of absorption and distribution of any substance in the body using a simple radioisotope method, which involves treating the drug with radioactive tracers that are safe for humans and have a short lifespan and then tracking its movement in the body using X-rays.

Somewhat more effective are drugs administered intramuscularly or intraarticularly. But their dosage is not enough to obtain a pronounced therapeutic effect.

Since chondroprotectors need to be taken for a long time, and they are rarely prescribed independently, i.e., patients are usually prescribed a complex of medications, after 2 months an improvement in the condition is often actually observed. But it would be illogical to give all the laurels only to chondroprotectors.

Thus, chondroprotectors can have a truly therapeutic effect only in the initial stages of the development of degenerative processes in cartilage . In more advanced cases, taking them, especially in the form of oral medications (tablets, capsules, powders, etc.), will either have a barely noticeable effect or have no positive effect on the problem at all.

Nevertheless, the great advantage of chondroprotectors is that they do not harm the body. Therefore, they can be used for almost any disease of the musculoskeletal system, accompanied by the destruction of cartilage tissue. But you shouldn’t waste your last money pinning high hopes on these drugs.

Our clinic has been using various chondroprotectors for many years; we try to choose the most proven and good drugs. There are an incredible variety of them on the market, but at the moment we have chosen the most effective - Mermaids marine collagen.

Glutamine - Helps prevent muscle breakdown

This amino acid is produced by our body. However, glutamine levels can deplete quickly, especially during strength training. If you train regularly and intensively, your body does not have time to replenish losses. As a result, energy is taken from your own muscles. Muscle fibers become brittle and tear faster. In addition, you begin to experience a lack of energy. During this period, the immune system suffers. As a result, colds and a decline in physical activity appear. This process goes almost unnoticed. You cannot understand what is causing your poor health and reluctance to get out of bed in the morning. However, these are only the first symptoms indicating a lack of glutamine.

You can reduce the effects of grueling workouts to zero by taking additional glutamine. For example, in a study of more than two hundred athletes, the following trend was noted:

• 82% of athletes did not get sick after regularly taking glutamine;
• In the group of those who took placebo, more than half of the participants got sick.

It is recommended to take about 20g of glutamine per day. You can increase your intake of foods that contain glutamine:

• cottage cheese, dairy products and milk;
• meat and chicken;
• spinach, beets and cabbage;
• fish and legumes.

You can also purchase drugs containing glutamine :

Indications for the use of chondroprotectors

In the annotations for modern chondroprotectors, manufacturers provide almost the entire list of cartilage pathologies. But, taking into account the structural features of the joints, their nutrition and the above facts, in reality these drugs should be used in the initial stages of development:

• cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral osteochondrosis - drugs help increase the rate of regeneration of cartilage tissue, which reduces pain in the affected spinal motion segment;
• arthrosis – chondroprotectors promote the synthesis of new synovial fluid and improve its physicochemical properties;
• arthritis, periarthritis - the drugs activate the processes of joint restoration and reduce the inflammatory process, which leads to a decrease in swelling and pain.

It is also recommended to use chondroprotectors during the recovery period after injuries.

If an active lifestyle, playing sports, walking is for you, then we recommend taking Mermaids marine collagen in courses once every six months. It will help you and your body restore the necessary reserves.

Ointments for athletes

The best ointments for athletes quickly penetrate the source of pain, relieve discomfort and eliminate inflammation:

1. Ketonal. Cream or gel, country - Slovenia, Austria. This substance is ketoprofen. Reduces fever, relieves inflammation and relieves pain. Treats injuries, inflammation of tendons, ligaments and muscles.

2. Remicide. Gel, country of origin: Ukraine. This substance is nimesulide. Relieves joint swelling and improves mobility. It is used for dislocations, after heavy loads on the body, and for osteoarthritis.

3. ibuprofen. The ointment is produced in Belarus and Russia. Has a quick effect and relieves pain. Used for bruises, sprains, tendinitis, osteoarthritis, bursitis and soft tissue injuries.

Contraindications for chondroprotectors

Since the active ingredients of drugs of this pharmacological group are compounds natural to the human body, they have an extremely meager list of contraindications. Moreover, the majority of cases in which their use is unacceptable is due to the lack of clinical trials conducted on this group of patients. Therefore, manufacturers do not have objective evidence of their safety in such situations and cannot authorize the use of their drugs for treatment:

• pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• children under 12 years of age;
• people who are intolerant to any component of the drug, including excipients.

Oral chondroprotectors are prescribed with caution in the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Kinds

So, if there are indications for the use of chondroprotectors, but there are no contraindications, the patient will be prescribed the drug in the form of:

• Products for oral use (marine collagen Mermaids, Dona, Structum, Teraflex, Artra, etc.) - involve the use of tablets, powders, capsules. To obtain the first results, long-term use is required, so the course of treatment can last at least 2 months, and more often 6 months or more.
• Solutions for intramuscular injections (Elbona, Mucosat, Alflutop, etc.) are more effective and are prescribed in courses of 10-20 days, during which 1 injection is required daily. They are then replaced with oral medications.
• Solution for intra-articular injections (Mukosat, Alflutop, etc.) – involve the introduction of chondroprotectors directly into the joint cavity, which allows for targeted effects of the drug on the affected cartilage.
• Products for topical use (Chondroitin, Artrafik, Chondroxide, etc.) – are used for application to the skin in the projection of the affected joint. This allows the active substances to diffuse through the tissue, penetrate the joint and have a regenerating effect. But since the thickness of the soft tissues over different joints is different (especially greater over the spine), the use of such means does not always give the expected effect.

All modern chondroprotectors appeared at different times. Each subsequent drug became more advanced than the previous one (it is possible that in the near future a new drug will appear that will be effective for more serious destruction of cartilage tissue, protrusions and herniations of intervertebral discs, etc.). Based on this, 3 generations of chondroprotectors are distinguished:

1. Preparations of natural origin based on extracts of animal cartilage and plant materials: Rumalon, Alflutop.
2. Preparations containing purified hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate or glucosamine: Mucosat, Chondrex, Dona, Artra, Teraflex, Tazan, Kondronova, Chondro.
3. Combined products that simultaneously contain collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, as well as additional compounds (vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids): Inoltra, Honda, Gelandringk, Flexinova, Joint, Flex.

Features of Mermaids new generation collagen chondroprotectors

Our clinic offers the best environmentally friendly collagen available today. And we are happy to recommend it to all our patients, because we vouch for its effectiveness. Marine collagen contains 20 amino acids necessary for the body. And also its composition includes only the most natural products, such as hydrolyzed collagen from the skin of Arctic cod, beta-carotene, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12), vitamin C from acerola, zinc, organic selenium, silicon from horsetail, anthocyanins from Scandinavian blueberries.

The bioavailability of the drug that we use is significantly higher than other chondroprotectors, which means that most of the drug can accumulate in cartilage and skin within 6 hours. The low molecular weight of the drug and its use in the form of soluble powders ensures rapid absorption into the blood and easy digestibility. Also, with 6-8 weeks of use, you will be able to notice the effect - the skin will be protected from UVA and UVB rays, it will become more elastic, smooth, and moisturized.

The main and important types for maintaining health and beauty are types 1, 2 and 3 of collagen. Humans are 90% type 1 collagen. This fibrillar protein is the main component of the skin, ligaments, blood vessels, tendons, fibrocartilage, bones, sclera and cornea of ​​the eye.

Mermaids collagen consists primarily of type 1 collagen. Just by increasing collagen types 1 and 4, deep wrinkles will smooth out on the skin. In addition, our product helps women with cellulite problems improve the appearance of their skin. With long-term and regular intake (up to 2 years) of 5 g of collagen, bone mass becomes denser due to stimulation of bone cell synthesis. Marine collagen has proven itself very well as an anti-inflammatory drug for osteoarthritis; it will be a safe and effective way to treat pain, as it does not cause adverse reactions. But collagen is good not only for cartilage, bones and joints, it also helps cleanse the walls of blood vessels from atherosclerotic plaques due to the presence of proline and lysine in the composition.

The marine type of collagen is the most favorable and suitable type for humans. It is very well absorbed, as it is similar to human.

Marine collagen works in different ways. For example, in older people it more often fills the joints, strengthening them. In young people, connective tissue is restored, positive changes occur in hair, nails and skin. Human life systems themselves choose where collagen is most needed and where there is damage. When the right places are saturated, collagen peptide molecules are redirected to other organs and tissues. By continuing to consume marine collagen, you can achieve your desired goal.

The very initial sensation will be an increase in energy, normalization of brain function, concentration, and excellent well-being.

For your convenience, you can purchase Mermaids marine collagen directly from our clinic or courier delivery is possible. You can also leave a request and we will contact you.

So what is collagen? Collagen is a protein that affects connective tissue, namely stimulates its synthesis. On its own, our body is capable of producing only 50% of the protein we need, the rest we must get from the outside (for example, from food). And the easiest way to supplement the lack of protein is with collagen peptide.

Another advantage of new generation collagen, in addition to its naturalness and effectiveness, is that it does not contain fat, which makes it possible for dietary use. Also, this collagen does not contain GMOs and is a halal and kosher product.

What can a lack of collagen lead to? Our body becomes depleted with age, so its ability to synthesize collagen on its own decreases. As a result, regenerative processes in organs and tissues are disrupted, which causes the development of many diseases. Externally, we can see such manifestations as dryness, uneven skin color, redness and wrinkles, followed by crunching in the joints. Collagen can be compared to the “glue” that holds our body together. Without collagen, the body “dries out.” Therefore, doctors and nutritionists recommend including it in your diet after 35 years for everyone without exception. Even small preventive courses can bring great benefits to the body.

The classic course of preventive collagen intake is 3 months of intake, a month break and 3 months of intake. The body receives the missing amount of certain amino acids to synthesize its “native” collagen molecule.

It is very important to pay attention to additional components in the composition that enhance the effect of collagen, increase its bioavailability and trigger collagen synthesis in the body.

Vitamin C. Without it, collagen synthesis is impossible. Only in the presence of vitamin C do amino acids bind and collagen fibers form correctly. In addition, in order for the amino acids to come together into a collagen molecule, B vitamins, iron, zinc, selenium, and silicon are needed.

All these elements are present in Mermaids Marine Collagen.

The main beneficial properties of Mermaids collagen include:

• Promotes weight loss;
• Improves sleep quality;
• Makes the skin elastic;
• Strengthens bones and prevents fractures, accelerates recovery after fractures;
• Improves flexibility and mobility of joints;
• Strengthens the intestinal walls;
• Makes the skin elastic, thereby smoothing out wrinkles;
• Strengthens hair, nails, teeth.

Dosage forms

Modern pharmacology offers a variety of forms of chondroprotectors to combat osteoarticular diseases.

1. Injection. The drug is administered directly into the capsule. Pros: pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, faster restoration of intra-articular fluid. Disadvantages: painful, requires highly qualified healthcare worker. Course from 8 to 15 procedures. Used for serious injuries and severe pain.
2. Gels, ointments - for local use. Slower action, excellent results with complex therapy. Convenient for moderate pain syndrome, suitable for athletes as additional protection. The composition often includes warming and analgesic ingredients.
3. Capsules, powders, tablets - restoration from the inside. Optimal for prevention and treatment. Complex effect on the cause of pain and inflammation. They have a cumulative effect and can be taken regularly in courses. Minimum side effects.

The choice of drug also depends on the active substance. Glucosamine is usually offered in the form of capsules and tablets, rarely in powder form, as part of sports nutrition cocktails. Chondroitin is more often found either in combination with other chondroprotectors, or in the form of ointments and gels. Finding it in its pure form is difficult. The same can be said about MSM.

All of these compounds enhance each other's effects. They can be taken while taking painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Separately, it is worth mentioning dietary supplements with hyaluronates, collagen, and plant extracts. Such combination options are well absorbed by older people and at the same time ideal for athletes who already have to drink a lot of vitamins and pills. To find the optimal dosage for you, consult your doctor.

Remember that chondroprotective agents have maximum effect in the early stages of cartilage destruction. Many people think that they can wait until there is pain, a crunch in the knees, and only then begin to take any measures. But at the third stage, a miracle, as a rule, does not happen. And then you will have to forget not only about sports but about banal freedom of movement, and everything will end in endoprosthetics at best.

Don't put off prevention until tomorrow. You can choose Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM right now, without leaving your home. The website TrainerIzDoma.rf presents you with a wide selection of chondroprotective dietary supplements with detailed instructions and reviews.

Features of the use of chondroprotectors

To increase the effectiveness of chondroprotectors, it is recommended:

• reduce the load on the affected joint;
• take measures to reduce weight if the patient is obese;
• avoid sudden movements in the affected joint;
• avoid hypothermia;
• perform a set of physical therapy exercises prescribed by your doctor;
• visit the pool and take walks, unless prohibited by the attending physician;
• give the joint rest.

Treatment exclusively with chondroprotectors without the use of other methods of treatment for existing joint pathologies is never used. In such cases, it is necessarily supplemented by the prescription of a number of other medications, exercise therapy, manual therapy, diet, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures.

As monotherapy, chondroprotectors can only be used to prevent the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, namely the joints.

Manual therapy sessions, which help normalize muscle tone in the muscles surrounding the joint, improve blood circulation and the speed of metabolic processes, greatly increase the effectiveness of treatment with chondroprotectors. Also, manual therapy allows you to normalize the mobility of the affected joint and restore its correct anatomical position, which is especially important in the presence of problems with intervertebral discs.

Chondroprotectors have only a minor effect on intervertebral discs. Therefore, in case of osteochondrosis and other degenerative-dystrophic pathologies of the spinal discs, it is very important to increase the clearance between individual vertebrae and restore their correct position on the spinal axis. This will reduce the load on deformed discs and create optimal conditions for restoring the balance between the rate of abrasion and restoration of intervertebral discs. Therefore, manual therapy plays a significant role in the fight against various diseases of the spine and other joints.

The great advantage of chondroprotectors is that they almost never provoke the development of side effects. Only in isolated cases may the following occur:

• allergic reactions;
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
• jumps in blood pressure levels;
• arrhythmias;
• headaches, dizziness.

According to Canadian scientists, chondroprotectors with artificial glucosamine can have a negative effect on pancreatic cells, thereby increasing the risk of developing diabetes.

Prevention of joint diseases

Currently, the goals of treating patients with arthritis and arthrosis are to increase joint mobility and reduce pain. Joint mobility is determined by the optimal sizes of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans. The renewal of the matrix in cartilage occurs after a year. Therefore, long-term and systematic use of a complex of collagen hydrolyzate makes it possible to restore and strengthen the tissue structure of human joints. Collagen peptides effectively influence both the early stage of joint diseases and prevention. Chronic human diseases due to connective tissue dysplasia begin at the embryonic stage of development and during the growth stages of children and adolescents. Collagen amino acid supplements help weakened children strengthen cartilage, bone and other connective tissues. If the effect of modern drugs is aimed at reducing inflammatory and pain symptoms, then marine collagen with a complex of vitamins has an advantage in preventing diseases.

Other components in the dietary supplement

In addition to the above components, there are small additives from the category of dyes and sweeteners, without which it is difficult to imagine the functioning of the Animal Flex chondroprotective complex:

• glaze;
• glycerol;
• dicalcium phosphate;
• silica;
• distilled water;
• gelatin;
• caramel;
• maltodextrin;
• soybean oil;
• magnesium stearate;
• Whey Protein;
• stearic acid;
• shark cartilage tissue;
• cellulose.

Possible alternative

If chondroprotectors are rational to use only in the initial stages of disease development, then what to do when degenerative-dystrophic processes have already gone far and provoke severe pain, limited mobility and other disorders? In such situations, patients need to find a good specialist who will not promote ineffective drugs, but will select the right treatment tactics.

For most joint pathologies, NSAIDs and corticosteroids are prescribed. These drugs have an impressive evidence base of effectiveness and help relieve inflammation and pain, i.e., they have a good therapeutic effect. Also, patients with advanced diseases may be recommended intra-articular injections of drugs that are substitutes for synovial fluid. This:

• Fermatron;
• Synvisc;
• Sinokrom;
• Vico-plus.

They contain sodium hyaluronate and are injected directly into the cavity of the affected joint. This substance is involved in the formation of collagen fibers and helps eliminate increased friction of articular surfaces. Therefore, one injection is often enough to effectively eliminate pain and crunching. But over time, sodium hyaluronate is absorbed, so injections should be repeated every 6-12 months.

Synovial fluid substitutes are typically used for injection into large, isolated joints. If a person is diagnosed with osteochondrosis, then using such drugs to restore each affected intervertebral disc will not be the most rational solution, especially if the disease has already led to the formation of a disc herniation.

Therefore, in case of spinal pathologies, in addition to drug therapy, manual therapy is highly effective. With the help of the right techniques, a qualified specialist can eliminate the prerequisites for the progression of the disease, as well as functional blocks. A chiropractor can restore the correct position of the vertebrae and increase the distance between them, which will reduce the load on the altered discs and allow natural regeneration processes to proceed more efficiently.

When conservative therapy is powerless

If conservative measures do not produce results, surgical treatment is resorted to. In many cases, surgery can be avoided by increasing the synovial fluid in the joints - using an endoprosthesis. In the second and third stages of post-traumatic arthrosis, one course of Noltrex intra-articular injections per year is enough for the pain to go away and mobility to be restored.

In sports traumatology, preventive treatment is also practiced, aimed at maintaining optimal joint condition. Depending on the location of the affected joint, athletes are advised to take several courses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and angioprotectors per year. It is advisable to undergo a course of massage of the damaged area and physiotherapeutic procedures 2-3 times a year.

Even if you already have problems with your joints, this is not a death sentence. Do not rush to leave big sport, of course, unless orthopedic doctors insist on it. Thanks to modern techniques and an innovative approach to treatment, in most cases, arthrosis can be stopped and kept under control, and you can continue to do what you love.