Ask a room of people to raise their hands if they have joint pain and about a quarter of them will do so.
Joint problems are common and many people take NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) as a means of treatment.
Much of this pain is from the loss of cartilage in the joints. As this occurs, wear and tear begin to become more severe, resulting in significant and chronic pain.
Cartilage loss can be a result of aging, aggressive exercise, or other stresses on the joints.
Dr. Elizabeth Yurth, Medical Director and Co-Founder of the Boulder Longevity Institute understands the value of symptomatic relief brought on by over the counter NSAIDs.
However, there are some concerns with prolonged use of these products that could run contrary to the reason you take them in the first place.
Studies show that taking NSAIDs as a pain reliever over long periods of time can result in long term joint damage and prohibit healing from occurring.
Fortunately, there is an alternative available that can relieve pain and regenerate cartilage in the joint.
The Impact of Collagen Peptides
Collagen is an amino acid and the proteins it makes up are a big part of healthy cartilage.
Thus, introducing collagen should encourage the regeneration of cartilage in joints where it may have worn away.
A double-blind study (the “gold standard” in medical research, per Dr. Yurth) revealed the benefits of collagen peptides. A peptide known as Fortigel induced a significant regeneration of cartilage and influenced a drop in pain score amongst participants.
A second study was conducted on a group of 147 Penn State athletes.
One group took the peptide while the other received a placebo.
The athletes who received the collagen peptide reported significantly less joint pain than those who did not.
This study has led many to believe that appropriate use of collagen peptides includes preventative therapies.
Collagen Hydrolysate
The vast majority of peptide treatments are administered via subcutaneous injection.
This makes the collagen hydrolysate peptides amazing because of their ability to be taken orally. As a result, these peptides can be quickly absorbed.
Fortigel is effective when added to water or a pre- or post-exercise drink. This convenience has led to a rapidly growing interest.
In fact, many products touting themselves as collagen hydrolysates are hitting nutrition store shelves everywhere.
Use caution when purchasing these “off the shelf” products because many of them cannot be absorbed orally and are virtually useless
Therefore, if you are interested in the regenerative power of collagen peptides, seek the advice and assistance of a properly trained peptide specialist.
Dr. Yurth and her team support the first medically managed peptide therapy center and are ready to help you decide what is best!
