Understanding Joint Health

Normal joint health begins with a healthy inflammation response

Maintaining joint health is a daily focus for tens of millions of Americans and millions more around the world. So it’s no wonder joint health is an ongoing and ever-increasing area of focus for the scientific and medical communities. Joint health is a complex issue, but we should all recognize one simple truth:

It is indisputable that a healthy inflammation response is required to maintain normal joint health.

Why do our joints change as we age?

As we age, cartilage is lost, and this process predisposes the bones that make up the joints to change.  In an attempt to address the change, immune cells mount a cellular response that involves inflammation. The inflammation response function in the joints results from the activation of inflammatory enzymes, namely cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). Numerous other factors can trigger these enzymes, including normal aging, oxidative free radicals, and being overweight.

The Cox-2 factor

NF-kB, a gene transcription factor often described as the “ on switch” for the body’s natural inflammation response, controls the synthesis of multiple mediators of the inflammation response, including Cox-2 and 5-Lox, that impact bone health and normal tissue growth. New Chapter’s Zyflamend has been shown to powerfully modulate a broad spectrum of mediators of the inflammation response, including NF-KB and COX and LOX enzymes.*

Bone health & joint health

A healthy inflammatory response may also contribute to control of bone changes that can cause discomfort and compromise the integrity of the joint. When the inflammatory response is out of balance, joint health may be complicated, in most cases, with challenges to bone and soft tissue in the joint. Therefore, maintaining bone health may be part of a comprehensive approach to joint health.

Vitamin K2 and joint health

While calcium is universally recognized as a nutrient critical to maintaining bone health*, research suggests that Natural Vitamin K2 is a critical “carrier” for calcium, helping it go into your bones where it’s needed vs. your arteries and soft tissues (e.g. joints), where it can cause stiffening. Unfortunately, most people don’t get nearly enough of it on a daily basis through the foods they eat, which is why many turn to supplements like New Chapter’s Bone Strength Take Care®.