Food supplements, your allies!
What would become of people suffering from osteoarthritis osteoarthritis (“osteoarthritis” -OA-) if it were not for food supplements? They supplement our diet and help us relieve pain, so they are the perfect combo.
But what exactly are Food Supplements? They are substances specifically formulated to supplement the diet and provide essential nutrients that may not be consumed in sufficient quantities through food alone. The great convenience is that dietary supplements come in a variety of forms, including pills, powders and liquids, making them easy to take especially with the busy pace of life we lead.
In addition to vitamin supplements, many of the supplements function as targeted support to address specific health issues, such as the joint health we mentioned at the beginning, heart health or immune support.
In any case, not all of them are valid. The quality and purity of these supplements must be taken into account, as they can vary greatly and in some cases, contain harmful ingredients or contaminants, or interact with medications or other supplements, creating adverse side effects, so always check their ingredients and regulation.
It is important to keep in mind that dietary supplements should never be used as a replacement for a balanced diet, and that it is always best to consult with a health professional before beginning any new supplement regimen.
On the website of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), you can find much more information about them. you can find much more information about them.
A few weeks ago we talked to you in our blog about the chondroprotection(…) is the set of actions aimed at preventing, delaying or repairing degenerative lesions of the joint”. And this chondroprotection, for those of us who suffer from osteoarthritis, can be achieved with food supplements.
Chondroprotection – Ünik Nutraceuticals (uniknutraceuticals.com)
Although an adequate and balanced diet usually provides all the nutrients essential for the development and care of a healthy body, research shows that this ideal situation does not exist in practice for all nutrients or for all population groups, according to the AESAN.
What ingredients do our food supplements contain?
Our products for osteoarthritis(ÜNIK Joints, ÜNIK Sport and ÜNIK OA) are food supplements and have these components in common:
- Astaxanthin
- Hyaluronic acid
- Peptides
- Amino acids
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Vitamin K2 (MK7)
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B6
Other important ingredients you will find are:
- AKBA
- Iron (Fe)
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B12
- Folate (vitamin B9)
You can find more information in our post dedicated to them: Innovative Ingredients – Ünik Nutraceuticals (uniknutraceuticals.com).
Astaxanthin – Do you know what it is? On the renowned medical website healthline.com they have it clear: “Fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids is not the only thing in the ocean that can improve the function of the human body.” Astaxanthin also helps us, as they point out on this website.
It is “a carotenoid pigment found in trout, microalgae, yeast, and shrimp, among other sea creatures”. We will also get it from lobsters, shrimp, sea bream and fish eggs. Humans cannot synthesize it, therefore, it must be obtained through food. It is “commonly found in Pacific salmon and is what gives the fish its pink color“.
This reference website(healthline.com), points out all that astaxanthin can do for our bodies: “Astaxanthin, an antioxidant, is said to have many health benefits.” It has been linked to healthier skin, stamina, heart health, joint pain, and even its role in treating cancer in the future.
The 7 potential benefits of astaxanthin, according to healthline.com:
- Antioxidant
- May help treat several types of cancer
- Can contribute to healthy skin
- Can be used as a supplement to exercise as it aids endurance and helps prevent muscle and skeletal damage.
- May benefit heart health
- May improve joint pain
- It can have positive results for male fertility.
Our products contain astaxanthin and it can help you. ÜNIK Nutraceuticals food supplements are composed of highly absorbed pure astaxanthin to give elasticity to your tendons by providing anti-inflammatory properties.
Hyaluronic acid for pain and peptides for joint recovery
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is found in all our products and is a polysaccharide with a high molecular weight and is very viscous in water.
The human body contains and synthesizes it naturally as this fluid is responsible for the viscoelastic quality of the synovial fluid and acts as a lubricant and shock absorber for the joints.
In OA, the HA layer in the joint becomes thinner because the synovial fluid contains a lower concentration of this glycosaminoglycan. Classical therapies are not able to stop the process of cartilage degeneration and do not promote tissue repair.
In contrast, external introduction of HA can enhance HA synthesis by chondrocytes, prevent cartilage degradation and promote tissue regeneration.
It has also been shown in several studies that the administration of HA by infiltration as well as orally alleviates the symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially in the knee.
The collagen peptides contained in our products(ÜNIK Joints, ÜNIK Sport, and ÜNIK OA) are designed under an aminogram that provides the right ratio for joint recovery.
It has been shown in several studies that administration of collagen peptides over a period of time has a clear beneficial effect on pain, stiffness and joint function in patients with mild osteoarthritis of the knee. Since they are very safe products with no side effects they are a very valuable alternative for the treatment of OA symptoms.
Less conventional anti-inflammatories and more AKBA!
AKBA, present in both our ÜNIK Joints and ÜNIK Sport products, acts as a potent anti-inflammatory to help tolerate pain and contribute to rest and recovery.
3-O-Acetyl-11-Keto-ß-Boswellic Acid (AKBA) has been used in the field of integrative medicine to treat various diseases since this type of compound exhibits many properties, mainly anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant, among others.
In short, food supplements, with all these ingredients, can make your life easier if you have OA. Add them to your diet, supplement your diet with them and reduce the consumption of conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.