More than 100 joints
If the skeleton consisted only of bones, humans and all other mammals would probably not exist. Without joints, smooth and pain-free movement is not possible, and that would have made survival nearly impossible. More than 100 joints make the human body mobile and ensure that we can move without pain and perform fine work with our hands.
Once you realize the importance of joints for our (sur)vival, it quickly becomes clear that problems and diseases related to joints are very serious. They not only lead to restricted mobility but also to pain.
"What's gone is gone" – this opinion persists stubbornly when it comes to joint problems. It is true that cartilage tissue can only regenerate slowly, but it is not impossible. However, the conditions for rebuilding must be right.
Structure and function of joints
Joints connect bones through firm connective tissue, tendons made of amino acids, and enable movements in different directions depending on the type of joint. On the inside of the ligament capsule are the well-perfused joint synovial membranes, which produce the joint fluid.
Cartilage tissue forms the end of the bones as a sliding surface and protects them from wear. Cartilage tissue is not penetrated and supplied by blood vessels. Nutrients must therefore diffuse into the cartilage via the surrounding joint fluid and bone membrane.
Joint problems
When cartilage wear occurs due to incorrect loading or vital nutrient deficiency and later leads to remodeling of the joint surfaces, it is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease worldwide. The knees and hips are particularly often affected; mobility is restricted and causes pain.
Osteoarthritis often leads to inflammation of the affected joint, to arthritis. Arthritis can, however, also occur without osteoarthritis (e.g., infection). The inflamed joint swells, reddens, and causes pain. When multiple joints are inflamed at the same time, it is called rheumatism, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Even an excessively high uric acid level in the blood can trigger joint inflammation (gout). The metatarsophalangeal joints are mainly affected; in the course of the disease, the midfoot joints and ankle joint are also affected. Why typically only at these locations?
The background here is not overload or lack of regeneration, but rather uric acid crystals deposit in the joints and cause this inflammation.
Causes of joint wear and joint inflammation
The most common joint complaints occur when joints are used in an unphysiological way or are not properly supplied with nutrients. There can also be traumatic cartilage injuries or autoimmune inflammation.
Overweight and unhealthy nutrition
Unphysiological stress is severe overweight. The more weight the joints have to carry, the more they are strained. Increased stress and insufficient regeneration lead to higher cartilage wear and eventually to osteoarthritis and arthritis.
In the case of great toe joint stress caused by uric acid, diet also plays a role. Alcohol, meat, and organ meats cause the uric acid level to rise particularly.
Overload and incorrect loading
Not only overweight, but also excessive exercise can overtax the joints—a joint under constant tension with many rotational movements is unfavorable. Abrupt movements such as in tennis, squash, or other ball sports, but also heavy stress such as skiing or strength training can lead to premature cartilage wear.
Lack of movement
Since cartilage has no blood vessels, the joint fluid is responsible for supplying the cartilage with nutrients. However, this only happens with correct physiological movement. When a joint is moved, the joint fluid is, so to speak, massaged into the cartilage and it is supplied with its important nutrients (see below).
The most suitable movement is loading and unloading along the natural force transmission axis. Walking, hopping, light trampoline jumping, etc. enable good force changes and thus supply for the hyaline cartilage. The application of pulsing magnetic fields has also shown benefits.
Movement and magnetic fields improve supply. Now what is needed for this are the building blocks.
Nutrient deficiency
For synovial fluid to supply cartilage with important nutrients, these nutrients must be present in the body. Unbalanced or unhealthy nutrition can lead to nutrient deficiency. What is needed?
1) Radical scavengers in oxidative stress
Indian scientists were able to demonstrate that people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis suffer from elevated oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when the body has more free radicals than so-called radical scavengers or antioxidants.
Fortunately, the body has antioxidants, molecules with an extra electron that they can pass on to free radicals without causing damage. In this way, they neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage.
The strongest radical scavengers are R-alpha-lipoic acid in combination with antioxidative plant compounds (Priosa® defense retard and Priosa® immun).
Harmful external influences such as UV rays, nicotine, alcohol, stress and unhealthy nutrition can significantly increase the number of free radicals in the body. Then the antioxidants absorbed in the body through food are no longer sufficient and oxidative stress occurs. (Priosa® protect)
Oxidative stress leads to reduced activity of cartilage cells. They produce less collagen and thus lose more and more of their stabilizing connective tissue. The result is wear and tear. Furthermore, oxidative stress promotes chronic inflammation in the body and thus also in the joints.
Prevent joint problems and relieve symptoms
2)Adequate supply of all cartilage-relevant nutrients
Cartilage is created and regenerates through various cell division and metabolic processes. These processes require energy, obtained from nutrients. Just as a car with an empty tank cannot drive, cartilage cannot perform its function and cannot regenerate without adequate nutrient supply. Adequate nutrient supply is therefore a prerequisite for healthy cartilage and joints.
Particularly valuable for cartilage formation are sulfur compounds in the form of the essential amino acids methionine and cysteine. Methionine provides the body's own sulfur and cannot be produced by the body itself. Without sulfur there is no cartilage formation, as current studies also show: The cartilage of healthy people contains about three to four times as much sulfur as the cartilage of people who suffer from osteoarthritis. (Priosa® clean)
In case of joint problems, the demand for both nutrients is increased and can hardly be met even through a healthy diet.
Many vitamins such as vitamin E, C, K and D, secondary plant compounds such as allicin and healthy omega-3 fatty acids also help against joint problems by fighting oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in the body. (Priosa® immun)
Fats, especially in the form of lecithin and inflammation-reducing fatty acids such as omega 3 and 9, hemp oil, black cumin oil, also stabilize the joint linings. (Priosa® omega+)
The proper and adequate supply of the body with all important nutrients plays a central role in the prevention and treatment of joint complaints; the administration of individual substances has shown no lasting success so far.
Conclusion
Adequate nutrient supply to the body alone is not sufficient to ensure the health of cartilage and joints. The nutrients must be brought to the cartilage. Since cartilage has no blood vessels, the supply does not occur automatically through the blood. Cartilage must extract the nutrients from the joint fluid and this only works if the joints are moved properly.
Physiological movement, (possibly under guidance) in combination with all building materials for cartilage regeneration is therefore essential to prevent joint complaints and alleviate their symptoms. (Priosa® clean, Priosa® protect, Priosa® omega+)
If the joint disease is already more advanced, physiotherapy/osteopathy/biokinematics/rolfing can be added in combination with pulsating magnetic fields.
Supply your body with everything it needs – and keep moving!
