According to researchers, there are two big elephants in the room when it comes to declining joint health: 1. Age; and 2. Being overweight.

In the case of the latter, body weight has a direct impact on the amount of pressure placed on joints. For instance, it’s estimated that a force of 3 – 6 times one’s body weight is exerted across the knee when walking. In other words, being just 10 pounds overweight can mean your knees have to bear the burden of up to 60 additional pounds of force with each step.

What’s really interesting though is that being overweight is linked to joint issues in non-weight bearing joints as well, such as the hands. This goes to show that there may be something else to the story, and it’s thought that excess body fat releases compounds that contribute to declining joint health.

Certainly, a poor diet plays a role, and of course, lots of physical activity (particularly repetitive types of movements) can take a serious toll on joint health.

But what happens to joints as we age? Can a joint supplement help?

Well, as we get older, there are three common structural factors that contribute to declining joint health and function:

1. Poor collagen health, production, and formation

Collagen is the primary structural protein in cartilage—the spongy connective tissue that cushions the ends of your bones where your joints meet. Essentially, cartilage protects your bones from grinding against each other, bone on bone, which would be extremely painful. As you age, however, less cushioning is available (particularly less type II joint collagen), leading to fragile-feeling joints and reduced joint health and function.^†

2. Inadequate levels of lubricating joint fluid

Hyaluronic acid is the chief component of joint fluid, also known as synovial fluid, which helps reduce the friction between bones by providing lubrication between cartilage. As cartilage deteriorates with age so do levels of hyaluronic acid and synovial fluid production, making it excessively difficult for joints to move freely—kind of like the hinges on a squeaky door.^†

3. Increased collagen breakdown

Healthy levels of joint- and collagen-degrading enzymes, known as 5-LOX and MMPs, are important for normal, ongoing rebuilding of joint tissues. However, 5-LOX and MMPs can run rampant in worrisome joints, leading to even greater collagen breakdown.^†

• UC-II^® supplies undenatured type II collagen, which supports joint health and mobility by promoting healthy levels of collagen. UC-II has been shown to be significantly more effective at improving joint flexibility and function than the popular joint supplement ingredients glucosamine and chondroitin in head-to-head research.^†
• Hyal-Joint^® is a natural extract that is rich in hyaluronic acid, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans, which support joint mobility and function. Hyal-Joint^® helps lubricate and cushion joints.^†
• AprèsFlex^® Boswellia extract supports healthy joints and connective tissues by targeting mediators of comfort and flexibility and supporting normal, healthy levels of these compounds.^†