Do you suffer from osteoporosis? This disease, which leads to a loss of bone density, is a source of many worries in everyday life. Indeed, the slightest trauma generally becomes synonymous with a fracture. To deal with this, food supplements based on marine collagen help to maintain good bone strength. Discover all the benefits of this protein, which is essential for the proper functioning of your body, joints, skin, hair, etc.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that results in accelerated bone loss over time. Specifically, this disease weakens the body’s extracellular matrix, preventing the bones from renewing themselves properly. In other words, the body is no longer able to remodel the bone and compensate for the destruction of old tissue by creating new tissue.
This imbalance mechanically and fatally leads to a deterioration in bone health. The main risk of osteoporosis is the occurrence of fractures, whether in the neck of the femur, the vertebrae or the wrists. The bones are more fragile and tend to break even with moderate trauma that would not normally have any consequences.
Until a bone fracture occurs, however, it is difficult to diagnose this disease because it does not cause any pain as such.
How does osteoporosis develop?
Various factors can explain this phenomenon of bone loss. The first is related to the age of the patients. In other words, the older a person is, the higher the probability of developing osteoporosis. Indeed, bone mass begins to decrease after the age of 40, as ageing leads to a reduction in the body’s ability to synthesise proteins that are essential for its proper functioning. This is particularly the case for collagen.
In addition to the age factor, it appears that women are more susceptible to bone mineral loss. The risk of hip fractures, for example, is therefore higher, especially for post-menopausal women.
Other factors include diet (lack of acid-base balance, alcohol consumption, etc.), lifestyle (e.g. smoking) or lack of exercise. In all cases, this health problem is closely linked to the lack of calcium in the body. Specifically, calcium is bound to the bones by a protein called collagen. A slowdown in the body’s production of this protein is often the cause of the disease.
How does a supply of collagen help to maintain a good mass of bone tissue?
When the body is unable to synthesise a protein which is nevertheless fundamental to it, it is essential to compensate for this lack by taking specific food supplements. In the case of osteoporosis, the same applies to collagen, as this will increase mineral density and therefore reduce the risk of fractures.
Naturally present throughout the body (bones, skin, tendons, muscles, ligaments, etc.), collagen is a so-called structural protein. It represents about one third of all proteins present in the human body. Its main function is to regenerate all these tissues to enable them to resist stretching. Produced from the amino acids provided by protein-rich foods, collagen is also promoted by vitamin C.
But when the collagen matrix in bone breaks down, it cannot remineralise to ensure proper function. In addition to regular physical activity to prevent bone loss and the risk of falls, it may therefore be advisable to consume collagen in the form of marine collagen hydrolysate powder to stimulate the regeneration of the matrix.
Marine collagen in the form of a food supplement is thus a more than interesting alternative to the bovine version. It is made from extracts of fish skin, bones and scales. It is distinguished by its better absorption by the body, a direct consequence of its lower molecular weight than bovine collagen. The use of this type of supplement, generally in powder form (or even in capsules, but less effective because of the smaller quantity), is therefore an excellent treatment for osteoporosis and allows you to maintain your bone health in good condition.
More broadly, marine collagen hydrolysate has many benefits for the human body. For example, it can improve the general appearance of your skin, fight against certain symptoms linked to old age or even effectively relieve arthritis. In addition to its direct effect on osteoporosis, it is a valuable daily ally thanks to its various virtues.
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