Drugs for the treatment of ligaments and joints

Connective tissue

Connective tissue includes: tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones, muscle fascia, aponeurosis (fibrous membranes that connect muscles together or with bones) and shells of almost all organs. The main function of connective tissue — the creation of the mechanical strength of the body and giving it shape. Connective tissue consists mainly of collagen, a strong protein strands do not allow the breakdown of tissues and elastin, which provides elasticity and extensibility of tissues. In each type of connective tissue are present special cells, fibroblasts in ligaments and tendons, chondroblasts in cartilage, osteoblasts in bone. These cells produce elastin and collagen, as well as contribute to the renewal and regeneration of connective tissue.

Relevance

To achieve good results in bodybuilding, athletes have to exercise with big weights in training, since muscle growth you want to create maximum load on each muscle bundle. The constant increase of working weights and increases the risk of injury, so it is necessary to additionally strengthen the ligaments and cartilage of the joints.

Systematic traumatization of the cartilage leads to the development of osteoarthritis is a disease that is accompanied by severe pain in the joints, impaired motor activity and is practically irreversible in nature, that is often leads to disability. About 20 million Americans suffer from this disease and as statistics show, the risk of this pathology is much higher when engaging in strenuous activities.

If you:

• Engaged in bodybuilding or powerlifting
• Experiencing painful sensations, crunch or stiffness in the joints and ligaments
• Injured
• Want to strengthen ligaments and joints

Remember that diseases of the ligaments and joints very difficulttreatmentso much more effective to prevention! That is prevention, and only secondarily the treatment of the subject of our recommendations. Preventive courses are particularly relevant for people over the age of 30, when the connective tissue becomes more vulnerable.

The composition of additives

Nowadays you can find tens and even hundreds of additives that are designed to treat and strengthen joints and ligaments, but most of these products are quite effective. At the same time the other part does not meet modern quality standards, or has a very high value and can be replaced with more economical products. This part describes only those tools that contribute to the restoration of cartilage and connective tissue, and not just temporarily eliminate the symptoms.

Let's start the analysis with a list of active substances with an objective assessment of efficiency based on modern research:

High efficiency

• Glucosamine sulfate — the strengthening of joints and ligaments
• Chondroitin sulfate — the strengthening of joints and ligaments
• Collagen — strengthening joints, ligaments, bones, improving skin properties

Calcium and vitamin D — essential for strong bones, should be taken at the same time. It should be noted that vitamin D deficiency is rather common — it is especially typical for Northern climate. Some studies show that vitamin D deficiency leads to various disorders, including inflammation of the ligaments and joints. Taking appropriate supplements can reduce these negative processes.

The average efficiency

• Methylsulfonylmethane — relieves pain and suppresses inflammation, but not conducive to the regeneration of connective tissue
• Shark cartilage — contains glucosamine, collagen and calcium, however, the treatment efficiency is higher when using these components in a purified form.
• S-adenosylmethionine is a drug approved in clinical trials for the treatment of zabolevaniy joints in European countries. The problem is that to obtain the effect required very high doses up to 1,500 mg per day, given the high cost of S-adenosylmethionine, its course will be very expensive. Supplement also has a mild antidepressant effect.
• Omega-3 fatty acids — to make moderate but significant contributions to the recovery of joints and ligaments. It was noted that omega-3 alleviate the pain syndrome in diseases of the joints, improves mobility. The best source of omega-3 fatty species of fish.
• Bromelain is a mixture of proteolyticenzymes of plant origin. A good remedy to relieve pain and inflammation in the newly-acquired injury or in an active phase of inflammation.
• Curcumin — a plant extract that has anti-inflammatory effect. The action of curcumin, as studies have shown, is quite weak.
• Hyaluronic acid is nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan that is part of connective, epithelial, and neural tissues. Is one of the main components of the extracellular matrix present in many biological fluids (saliva, synovial fluid, etc.). Takes a significant part in the proliferation and migration of cells, may be involved in the process of development of malignant tumors. Produced by certain bacteria (eg. Streptococcus). In the body of a person weighing 70 kg on average contains about 15 grams of hyaluronic acid, one third of which is converted (cleaved or synthesized) every day.

Vitamins and minerals — recovery of ligaments and joints require a large amount of vitamins and minerals that participate in synthesis of new cells. These include, above all, are vitamins: B6, E, C, minerals: Niacin, zinc, selenium, magnesium. Many vitamins and minerals are also excellent antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative damage during inflammation.

• Vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis. Besides, he is an excellent antioxidant. This vitamin helps to reduce pain and inflammation. In addition, vitamin C improves recovery.
• Vitamin E is also a potent antioxidant, it reduces pain and protects the joints from damage. Both vitamins C and E play an important role in the treatment of diseases of the joints, due to reduced oxidative processes. Clinical studies demonstrate that supplementation with vitamins E and C reduces post-workout inflammation and pain in the ligaments and joints.
• B vitamins also have anti-inflammatory effects. So, they can help with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Pantothenate or vitamin B5 has beneficial effects on wound healing, improves collagen synthesis. Some studies show that low levels of Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) in the body is in feedback with increasing joint pain and stiffness of ligaments. Anti-inflammatory effect have vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid.
• Minerals are required for normal functioning of cells, they serve to enhance the production of enzymes for the synthesis of the cell ligaments. Boron and manganeseincrease the reproduction of collagen, the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, improve metabolism. Some drugs are known to adversely affect the absorption of some minerals. The adoption of appropriate additives should ensure their adequate supply in the body. Clinical trials indicate that zinc deficiency has a negative impact on the synthesis of connective tissue. Zinc primarily stimulates the production of enzymes, which are responsible for cell growth and integrity. The lack of this mineral in the body observed a poor tissue healing. Copper stimulates the production of lysyl oxidase, which is important in the conversion of collagen and elastin. Copper also has anti-inflammatory properties and can relieve pain in joints and ligaments

Low efficiency

The above listed and briefly described nearly all modern supplements for ligaments, joints and bones, which have a proven effectiveness for prophylactic appointment. We will not create an endless list of additives and components that are useless or unduly expensive. However, it should be noted that most of the plant extracts, supplements of animal origin (marine crustaceans, sharks, insects, etc.) are not effective. Give preference to trusted companies and brands. The most optimal source of collagen is edible gelatin.

Eliminating painful symptoms

Quite often with the purpose of treatment athletes take aspirin, paracetamol, Ketanov (ketorol), diclofenac and other anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and inflammation of the joints and ligaments — however, these remedies can only temporarily relieve symptoms without affecting his treatment. These are not steroid anti-inflammatory drugs have a number of serious side effects — the defeat of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, toxicity for the liver and kidneys, change in the composition of blood, etc, so they should be used only in the acute phase of pathological process. The duration of intake should not exceed 1-2 weeks. Better to give preference to anti-inflammatory drugs that selectively inhibit COX-2 — Nimesulide, Celecoxib. They have fewer side effects.

Best supplements for joints and ligaments

For maximum therapeutic and prophylactic effect, the course should include:

• Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin sulfate — it is best to buy as part of one Supplement.
• Collagen — in the form of gelatin at 10 grams per day
• Calcium in a highly bioavailable form, and vitamin D — for strong bones
• Methylsulfonylmethane — foreliminate the pain

Best integrated supplements

We can distinguish two leading product:

• Bone Boost from SAN
• Animal Flex from Universal Nutrition

Also, a good ratio of price and quality have supplements, but less full lineup:

• Joint Repair from Dymatize
• Joint Support from Performance
• Glucosamine + CSA Super Strength 120 tablets by Optimum Nutrition
• Glucosamine Chondroitin & MSM (ULN) everything you need at a nice price

Treatment-and-prophylactic

For maximum effect, combine one of the additive with vitamin mineral complex, omega 3 and collagen. As a source of collagen use gelatin the food.

On average, the rate of taking supplements for ligaments and joints lasts for 1-2 months. The optimal frequency of courses — 2-3 times a year. Dosages and more accurate information on admission to can find in separate articles, as well as on the product's packaging.

General tips

General tips that will help keep the ligaments and joints in a healthy manner:

• Follow techniques to avoid injury
• If you have problems with the ligaments and joints use a safer exercise
• Pass a preventive course of complex additives, collagen and vitamin-mineral complex
• Do not work with too large weights
• Do not overload the joints and ligaments with the injury to full recovery
• Treatment of diseases of the ligaments and joints should be agreed with your doctor

What to take for joints