Stay Active With Healthy Joints

Are you just starting a new workout routine or already a seasoned gym veteran? Whether a newbie or a regular, it’s important to take care of your joints so you can stay active. What are some supplement ingredients that can help you meet your fitness goals and minimize wear and tear on the joints?* We take a closer look at common nutrients found in joint supplements: hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen type II and chondroitin sulfate.

An advantage to taking supplements that contain hyaluronic acid is its two-fold effect on hyaluronic acid levels in your body. It not only provides additional hyaluronic acid for your body to use, but suppresses the enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid.* Another benefit of hyaluronic acid supplements is that they can reduce levels of inflammatory metabolites that are sometimes produced as a byproduct of cartilage cell activity.* Reducing inflammation is important for maintaining the health of your joints.

Many became familiar with collagen when it was a popular ingredient used to plump lips in the 1980s and 1990s. But collagen is so much more than a cosmetic enhancement. Collagen is a type of protein that is made in our body. Nearly one-third of all protein found in the body is in the form of collagen protein. It is one of the main building block components of soft tissue, including ligaments, tendons and cartilage. You’ll also find collagen protein within the lining of the digestive tract, skin layers, hair strands, blood vessels, and nails among others.

We start losing existing collagen and creating less collagen in our 20’s and this escalates as we get older. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, taking in too much sugar or exposure to UV rays can make you lose collagen even faster. Taking in additional collagen helps replenish lost collagen stores and provides the raw building materials your body requires for healthy joints.

Turmeric nourishes the joints by providing another anti-inflammatory agent to fend off damaging molecules. Inflammation can break down cartilage, leading to a host of health issues. Turmeric curcuminoids can calm inflammation and studies show a connection between turmeric consumption and increased knee mobility.* Upping your intake of nutrients like curcumin can be useful in reducing oxidative stress that damages joints.*

One of the issues with collagen supplements is that not all are created equal. Collagen is a large molecule that makes it great for creating resilient structures in the body. However, the size can be difficult for the digestive system to absorb. A proper collagen supplement will need to contain collagen that is broken down into smaller fragments such as peptides or amino acids. Hydrolyzed collagen is an example of this type of broken down collagen. Nature’s Lab Gold Turmeric + Joint Complex combines the top nutrients for joint health- hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, chondroitin sulfate, turmeric (standardized to 95% curcuminoids) and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) into one bottle. This supplement also includes Bioperine® black pepper extract to further increase the absorption of turmeric and other ingredients.*