Note: This article does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before making any decisions regarding your health
Glucosamine is one of those natural supplements used to help strengthen cartilage structure and can be found at your local health food store or online. It is one of the critical components required for healthy joints. What exactly does it do for you anyway?
Origin of Joint Pain
Joint pain can make life miserable. When we have problems with our joints, especially those involving the spine or large bones such as knees, hips, elbows, shoulders and ankles, they begin to ache and hurt more often than usual. In many cases, there isn't an underlying cause like injury or infection.
Cartilage acts as a cushion between two adjacent bone ends where the connective tissue connects them together. The most common reason why people develop painful joints is that their cartilage has become worn down and thinned out over time. This can be either due to excessive mobility or age, lifestyle habits, obesity, and even environmental factors.
As we get older, not only does the amount of cartilage decrease but also its quality becomes poor due to ageing. Eventually, the protective layer gets thinner which causes inflammation and makes it difficult to move around normally without experiencing some kind of discomfort.
If left untreated, these issues can lead to severe problems later on in one's life when degenerative diseases set in.
For example, if you lose enough cartilage from your hip or knee, it will rub against the end of the thigh bone causing the socket (articular surface) to wear away and eventually crack open leading to excruciating pain. Since cartilage doesn't regenerate itself after birth, scientists have been searching for ways to naturally stimulate and build up new cartilage so that it lasts longer.
One way to do that involves taking natural supplements containing key nutrients essential for healthy cartilage production, which is glucosamine-chondroitin complex, and keratin. There are several products available today that contain various combinations of these 3 ingredients.
However, the best-known brand by far is probably Biofreeze®. Let me tell you why!
The Science Behind Glucosamine-Chondroitin Complex & Keratin
One of the major functions of cartilage is to act as a shock absorber between adjoining parts of the body. Without sufficient amounts of collagen, the basic building block responsible for making cartilage strong, weak areas form along with other supporting tissues.
Collagen fibres serve as scaffolding structures that provide support for joints while at the same time allowing flexibility. Over time the loss of collagen within the joints leads to a reduction in lubricating properties of synovial fluid resulting in increased friction and wearing down of articular surfaces.
Also, cells embedded deep inside the cartilage start producing excessive amounts of enzymes that break down proteins into smaller pieces further weakening the structure and creating additional stress on the surrounding cartilage.
Once the cartilage begins showing any signs of damage, it's too late to prevent serious consequences like limited mobility, chronic joint pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced ability to work etc.
But don't worry - there actually exists another type of material that can offer protection against cartilage destruction and is produced naturally by human bodies. That's right - it comes directly from your own skeleton and is commonly referred to as "bone glue".
Bone glue is composed primarily of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals, a mineral found in all skeletons of vertebrates.
These crystals bind together tightly under extreme pressure to create rigid yet flexible structures at different locations throughout the body including joints. So instead of relying solely on collagen for structural integrity, Biofreeze contains both types of materials needed for optimal joint function - collagen and bone glue.
Now I know what you're thinking - how exactly does this magical stuff manage to accomplish that feat? Well, here's the catch - unlike regular old cartilage, bone glue is mostly made up of minerals rather than protein molecules.
Because of this difference, bone glue is almost non-toxic and won't interfere with normal bodily processes like digestion or absorption.
Another important benefit is that because of its high strength, bone glue offers superior resistance to shear forces compared to softer tissues like skin and muscle. Since the latter isn't capable of providing adequate levels of mechanical support, bone glue fills in the gap to keep your joints protected from injuries that could otherwise result in long term complications.
Now let's talk about how this magic potion works.
Workings of Biofreeze
First off, Biofreeze is formulated specifically for individuals who suffer from arthritic pain whether mild or moderate. Unlike generic brands that include multiple ingredients, each serving of Biofreeze is comprised of just 3 primary active components to ensure maximum effectiveness.
All three of these ingredients were carefully selected based upon scientific evidence collected over years of the clinical research conducted by reputable medical institutions. Each component plays a critical role in promoting overall joint health ranging from anti-inflammatory activity, improved circulation, enhanced wound healing, better sleep patterns, healthier teeth and gums, stronger muscles and tendons, and much more.
If you've ever used topical creams or ointments to ease minor burns or cuts, then you already know that they usually come with side effects. And although Biofreeze was developed using only safe and effective ingredients, users should still exercise caution before starting treatment.
Possible Side effects
Side effects associated with low doses may take anywhere from 1 week to 2 months to show up depending on individual characteristics. Some possible side effects include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, gas, bloating, heartburn, flatulence, acid reflux, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, weakness, headache, constipation, urinary tract infections, rash, acne, yeast infections etc.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding might have to consult their doctor before using Biofreeze unless absolutely necessary.
Although rare, it is recommended that patients should consult their doctor prior to initiating therapy if they experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, fainting or unusual sweating. Taking prescription medications regularly might influence the results obtained with Biofreeze.
However, the pharmacodynamical studies suggest that minimal interactions are expected as long as proper dosages are followed.
In summary, Biofreeze is designed to promote greater efficiency and functionality of joints by strengthening their natural defence mechanism. By stimulating the new growth of cartilage cells, Biofreeze promotes faster recovery times following traumatic events or surgeries.
Other potential advantages involve lower risks of infection, less susceptibility to colds and flu virus, and fewer chances of catching viruses. Finally, Biofreeze is generally considered safer than traditional NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Overall, this combination is extensively backed up by clinical data. Thus, Biofreeze is an excellent choice for treating mild to moderate forms of arthritis pain caused by Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, lupus, sciatica, back spasms, strains, sprains, bruises, contusions, dislocations and/or subluxations, and similar ailments.
I hope this article provided valuable information regarding the benefits of glucosamine-chondroitin complex, keratin and Biofreeze.
