CARTIFORCE+

Normally we tend to think that joint problems only appear with advancing age when, in fact, sporting activity, if carried out intensely, is one of the major risk factors. The joints of those who practice sport intensely are continually subjected to stress: every sporting gesture in itself involves a more intense use of the organism and consequently this is also reflected on the joints. Furthermore, sometimes the lack of an appropriate warm-up, too long and heavy workouts, exercises done incorrectly and insufficient recovery time leave the joints exposed to the risk of wear and tear and trauma. This causes constant pain that the athlete gets used to or regularly sedates by resorting to painkillers, which are ineffective in removing the cause of the symptom. Furthermore, by continuing to train even in these conditions, athletes worsen their situation. In particular, the cartilage begins to degrade and natural lubrication tends to decrease, which leads to a loss of protective level of the joint. In this way the joints, by increasing friction, tend to become inflamed, consequently causing pain and joint stiffness. In the long run, if these alarm bells are underestimated, arthrosis could develop, a chronic pathology caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage and the deformation of the joint surfaces which manifests itself with intense pain, stiffness, joint swelling (due to the retention of liquids) and difficulty moving.

Cartilage is made up of cells, chondrocytes, and an extracellular matrix composed of collagen fibers or elastic fibers immersed in an amorphous matrix. The amorphous matrix itself is mainly composed of collagen and proteoglycans which give it solidity. The union of these substances gives the cartilage a gelatinous consistency. The cartilaginous tissue is devoid of nerves and blood vessels, therefore, it is nourished exclusively by the diffusion of substances coming from nearby tissues such as the perichondrium. This peculiarity is the main cause of its limited self-regeneration capacity.

Native (undenatured) type II collagen is effective in supporting joint and ligament health at lower doses than what we are commonly used to. Of the 28 types of collagen identified, type II collagen is the major structural protein of cartilage. Normally within food supplements we usually find hydrolyzed (denatured) collagen and less so native (undenatured) type II collagen, both are correctly used even if there are significant differences between the two forms:

• Native collagen type II (undenatured/unhydrolyzed) is collagen in its biologically active form;
• Hydrolyzed (denatured) collagen is collagen broken down into smaller peptide molecules, therefore also known as collagen peptides.

These differences lead to different mechanisms of action between the two types of collagen. The first, native type II collagen, works through an immune-mediated process, known as oral tolerance. Through this mode of action it is recognized by the immune system as a self-substance and deactivates the body's immune response against its own collagen. Collagen peptides, on the other hand, are highly bioavailable, therefore, they act as building blocks to maintain healthy and rebuild cartilage.
Another difference between the two types of collagen is the dose at which they are effective: in the case of native type II collagen we are talking about 40 mg per day, while for collagen peptides we are talking about 10 g per day.
Joint problems involving inflammation and erosion of cartilage are characterized by an autoimmune component that allows our immune system to act against its own type II collagen. This type of immune response leads to inflammation and degradation of the cartilage itself, thus creating further damage to the joints.
Recent studies demonstrate that native type II collagen supplementation can help modulate the immune response against endogenous type II collagen, thus supporting joint health. This specific mechanism of action supports the low dosage of native type II collagen necessary to support the well-being of the joints.

Proteoglycans represent the major component of the extracellular matrix in connective tissues, such as bones, cartilage and skin, and are therefore part of the cartilaginous tissue together with collagen and hyaluronic acid as well as being an essential component of the cell membranes and the matrix external to them.
Proteoglycans stimulate the production of cartilage cells, scientifically chondrocytes, helping them to proliferate and differentiate, in this way they are a support for the repair of deteriorated joints while improving mobility, flexibility and comfort, as well as stimulating immunity in the intestine and in the lymphatic system, maintaining a balance of excitatory and inhibitory cytokines.
The 4+ Nutrition R&D team selected a proteoglycan extracted from salmon cartilage, clinically documented to support joint health, produced in an environmentally friendly way using by-products from the food industry. It is the first naturally produced proteoglycan commercially available with clinical evidence for joint health.

Take 1 tablet per day with a glass of water, preferably in the first part of the day. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the formulation for a 12-week treatment.

Bulking agents: cellulose, dicalcium phosphates; Chondroitin sulfate (derived from fish, crustaceans), coating (coating agents: hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, talc, glycerol, shellac, acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, polyvinylpyrrolidone; food colours: calcium carbonate, iron oxides and hydroxides, chlorophyllins), hydrolyzed collagen, sodium hyaluronate, cartilage (derived from fish), anti-caking agents: magnesium salts of fatty acids, silicon dioxide; vitamin D (cholecalciferol).