Cartilage Repair

CARTILAGE REPAIR
IS COLLAGEN TYPE II THE ANSWER

In our opinion, Collagen Type II is a nutrient that all people looking to maximize joint health and/or prevent joint cartilage degeneration should be taking. It is fast becoming one of the most important supplements available to the general public today, and with good reason.

In a groundbreaking study conducted in 1993, Harvard Medical School, one of the most prestigious medical schools in the world, tested the effects of Collagen Type II on people suffering from severe, active rheumatoid arthritis. Sixty patients were admitted into the study after meeting eligibility criteria and giving informed consent. They were taken off any prescription drugs they were currently using and were given either Collagen Type II or a placebo to be taken orally for a 90 day period.

At the conclusion of the study, 28 of the patients had received Collagen Type II and 31 had received the placebo. There was significant improvement in the Collagen Type II group in the number of swollen joints and the number of tender or painful joints at months one, two and three as compared with the placebo patients. Even more astounding was the fact that, among the patients who were given Collagen Type II, 14% had complete remission of the disease as compared with 0% within the group that had received the placebos. This controlled trial provided evidence that oral administration of small quantities of Collagen Type II is safe and can improve the clinical manifestations of active rheumatoid arthritis.

Our LaKOTA Rheumatoid-Osteo Formula provides you with denatured Collagen Type II (480 mgs. Per capsule) as well as L-Proline (20 mgs. Per capsule), the primary amino acid used by the body in the production of joint cartilage. Our LaKOTA Joint Care Formula also contains Collagen Type II but not in the concentrations found in the Rheumatoid-Osteo formula. The Joint care Formula is primarily a pain relief formula. Collagen Type II really is one ingredient that all people should be using on a daily basis, along with Glucosamine, to help prevent joint cartilage destruction and degeneration. We strongly urge you to read the commonly asked questions below about Collagen Type II. The information available on this nutrient is truly incredible.

Commonly Asked Questions About Collagen Type II.

What exactly is Collagen Type II? Collagen Type II is presently derived primarily from chicken sternum cartilage and has been scientifically proven to help arthritic (especially rheumatoid arthritis sufferers) patients repair damaged joint cartilage and prevent further joint cartilage degeneration.

Collagen Type II is far more effective for repairing joint cartilage than Chondroitin Sulphate or Glucosamine Sulphate. Neither of these nutrients have been shown to do that, and they only contain Collagen Type I. What the body really needs for joint cartilage repair and regeneration is Collagen Type II. Furthermore, Collagen Type I has not been shown to be effective on immune-system-related forms of arthritis (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis) only Collagen Type II has been shown to help this disease.

Collagen Type II also contains the highest concentration of anti-inflammatory and joint supporting proteoglycans. Glucosamine does not compare in this regard. Collagen Type II also contains a very high percentage of Chondroitin Sulphate “A”, a powerful anti-inflammatory proteoglycan that also supports the joint tissue.

Along with Chondroitin Sulphate “A”, Collagen Type II also contains about 10% Hyaluronic Acid, the nutrient used by the body that lubricates the joint capsule.

Another advantage of Collagen Type II over regular bovine derived Chondroitin Sulphate is it’s absorbancy. Researchers have recently demonstrated that bovine derived ground cartilage (regular Chondroitin Sulphate, the ingredient used in most products) only has an absorption rate of 8 to 10%. The components of Collagen Type II have been shown to have a much greater absorption rate with most studies on Collagen Type II showing 70-90% absorption. That is a very significant difference over regular Chondroitin Sulphate.

Collagen Type II also contains a newly discovered anti-oxidant proteoglycan called Cartilage Matrix Glycoprotein (CMGP). This nutrient helps reduce oxidative damage to the joint.

What is L-proline ? L-proline is the primary amino acid found in cartilage. It aids in maintaining and producing cartilage and helps strengthen joints, cartilage, ligaments, tendons as well as various other types of connective tissue.

How does Collagen Type II Work ? Scientific studies have shown that Collagen Type II naturally stabilizes the body’s immune system and helps neutralize the production of abnormal molecular structures thought to be a major cause of joint misery, deformation, and stiffness, especially in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Collagen Type II also provides THE PRIMARY RAW MATERIALS FOR HUMAN JOINT CARTILAGE. This ingredient is beneficial for both major forms of arthritis however, it works on osteoarthritis as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike many pharmaceutical products that offer only symptomatic relief, Collagen Type II not only reduces pain and inflammation, but it also directly combats arthritis by aiding normal repair and regeneration of cartilage, ligaments and tendons as well as helping to improve connective tissue elasticity and cushioning.

Are there side effects or stomach discomfort associated with Collagen Type II? No significant side effects or discomfort of any kind have been reported from people using Collagen Type II as an arthritis or joint care supplement.

Is there research that validates the positive effects of Collagen Type II ? Yes. Collagen Type II was thoroughly tested in a major double blind controlled study at Harvard Medical School. The results of this study were published in the prestigious medical journal, Science. The article was entitled, Effects of Oral Administration of Type II Collagen on Rheumatoid Arthritis. This study proved conclusively that Collagen Type II improved all of the major clinical symptoms of severe joint misery in those suffering from RA. (See below)

Can I take Collagen Type II with my other medications ? Yes. Collagen Type II is completely safe and natural and should not interfere with other medications you may be taking. However, we recommend that you inform your pharmacist or physician before starting Collagen Type II therapy if you are being treated for chronic health problems with prescription medications.

How long does it take for Collagen Type II to work ? The effects of Collagen Type II therapy are cumulative and long lasting. Many users report joint relief benefits within 14 days. For others it can take up to 6 weeks before they experience significant results. Collagen Type II helps the body heal itself, so the time it takes to experience results will vary with each individual.

How many capsules should I take per day ? We recommended 2 capsules per day. Preferably one capsule in the morning and one capsule in the evening but both capsules can be taken together once daily if preferred. Severe arthritis sufferers may need to increase the dosage to 4 capsules per day then once results are achieved cut back the dosage to a maintenance dose. This will require some experimentation as each of us is an individual.

Excerpts from the text of a Harvard Medical School Study "Effects of Oral Administration of Type II Collagen on Rheumatoid Arthritis" Study performed by: David E. Trentham, Roselynn A. Dynesius-Trentham, E. John Orav, Daniel Combitchi, Carlos Lorenzo, Kathryn lea Sewell, David A. Hafler, and Howard L. Weiner.

ABSTRACT: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory synovial disease thought to involve T cells reacting to an antigen within the joint. Type II Collagen is a major protein in articular cartilage and is a potential auto-antigen in this disease. Oral polarization to auto-antigens suppresses animal models of T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, including two models of rheumatoid arthritis. In this randomized, double blind trial 60 patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis were taken off prescription immunosuppressive drugs to participate in this study. Oral Type II Collagen is not toxic like drugs. In the group fed Collagen Type II for 3 months, a decrease in the number of swollen and tender joints occurred but no changes occurred in those that received a placebo. Four patients (14%) in the Collagen group had complete remission of the disease, as compared to none in the placebo group. While the Collagen Type II patients were off their immunosuppressive drugs, stability or improvement occurred, whereas patients in the placebo group tended to deteriorate. No side effects were evident. Oral Type II Collagen is a preferable treatment because it appears to improve the health of the arthritic joint as evidenced by the joint functionality for several months after intake was cancelled. This study demonstrates that treatment with oral Collagen Type II is not only safe and effective but can improve the daily physical challenges of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not a drug and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. However, it is a well established fact that proper nutrition and supplementation puts the body in the best possible position to heal itself.