Hy-Col – Safe, non-toxic, and very effective management of arthritis while promoting healthy skin.

Some things in life are a certainty and one of them is that we will inevitably get older. And as we age our bodies change both externally and internally. Perhaps one of the most visible signs of aging, apart from grey hair, is the appearance of wrinkles. Another sign that we’re getting old is the development of arthritis.

Arthritis isn’t just one disease. It is in fact the name given to a whole group of conditions - there are over 100 different forms of arthritis that cause damage your joints and that usually result in pain and stiffness. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and it develops as a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. It’s sometimes called “wear and tear” arthritis which is a pretty accurate description of just how the condition develops in most sufferers.

Although arthritis can affect anyone at any age, it definitely becomes more common the older we get and is a particular health issue for those over the age of 65. In fact, one in two people aged over 80 suffers from arthritis (source Arthritis Australia). Not surprisingly then, if you have arthritis, you are definitely not on your own - it’s estimated that around 43 million people in the United States alone suffer from some form of arthritis (that’s 1 in 6 of the population!).

So when a product is developed that is capable of tackling both the issue of aging skin and the pain of arthritis, people are going to take notice. And this exactly what Hy-Col can do. Containing a unique, patented and naturally produced hydrolyzed type II collagen called BioCell, as well as hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate, this amazing product can not only help in the fight against arthritis but also promote healthier, younger looking skin. And by turning back the clock in this way, Hy-Col truly is an incredible anti-aging supplement.

Below we look at the three main ingredients of Hy-Col in more detail.

1. Type II Collagen

Collagen is a type of protein - in fact it’s the most abundant protein in the body, accounting for around 25% of the total amount of proteins. To date, 29 types of collagen have been identified and described. Of these, collagen type I is the most abundant and is found, for example in the skin, tendons and bone. Collagen type II (which is the one that we’re interested in here) forms the main component in cartilage. Collagen is often discussed in relation to the skin but, as we’ll see, there’s more to it than this.

Being fibrous in nature, collagen’s job is to connect and support other bodily tissues such as skin, bones, muscles, cartilage and tendons. It also supports internal organs such as the lungs. It’s even present in teeth and blood vessels. Collagen works in conjunction with the protein elastin - collagen provides the structure, strength and support, whilst elastin provides flexibility. In fact, collagen is so important for the structure of the body that it is sometimes likened to the adhesive that holds the body together – without collagen our bodies would essentially fall apart.

Collagen and your Skin

As mentioned above, it’s most likely that you’ll have heard of collagen in relation to the skin and skin care products. In association with the proteins keratin and elastin, collagen gives the skin its strength, flexibility and elasticity. Unfortunately, as we age, the collagen in our skin degrades. This means that the support that the collagen once gave our skin weakens, the skin becomes less elastic, it sags and creases and wrinkles begin to appear. Sun exposure accounts for around 90% of wrinkles because it is particularly destructive in relation to collagen in the skin. It’s hardly surprising then that the use of collagen supplementation to halt and reverse the decline in collagen levels that comes with age is seen as extremely important in the fight against the visible effects of growing old.

However, although many skin care preparations contain collagen, they are probably not effective. This is because the collagen molecules in the products are simply too large to be absorbed by the skin. They simply sit on the skin’s surface until they are washed away. But, as we shall see below, this is not a problem with the specialized oral form of collagen in Hy-Col. This makes Hy-Col a particularly effective skin care product that can rejuvenate the skin, decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles and give skin back its youthful glow.

Collagen and Arthritis

Aside from treating the more visible signs of aging, collagen also has a number of significant medical uses. For many years collagen has been used in cosmetic surgery and is now being used to create synthetic skin substitutes for use in the treatment of burns. But what is perhaps most interesting as far as Hy-Col is concerned is collagen’s use in the management of arthritis.

As we have already noted, type II collagen is a major component of cartilage. Cartilage itself is a stiff, inflexible connective tissue that is found in many areas in the body at joints in between the bones. Whilst not as hard and rigid as bone, cartilage is stiffer and less flexible than muscle. It acts like a cushion covering the ends of the bones in our joints and stops the bones from jarring and rubbing against each other.

Joint cartilage is made up of specialized cells called chrondrocytes that are embedded in a gelatinous substance that contains collagen and a watery gel as well as a type of glycoprotein known as proteoglycan (see below under chrondoitin sulphate). Chrondrocytes produce a large amount of extra cellular matrix. Extracellular matrix is the fluid-filled space between cells that provides structural support to cells and is the defining feature of connective tissue. Extracellular matrix is made up of type II collagen, ground substance (containing proteoglycans) and elastin fibres. In essence, type II collagen effectively acts as the “glue” that holds the cartilage together and it also helps to provide elasticity within the joints.

In a disease such as osteoarthritis there is a gradual and relentless destruction of the cartilage in the affected joint. Eventually, the cartilage is completely worn out and the ends of the bones are no longer protected. The result is a painful "bone against bone" joint and a significantly reduced range of motion. Unfortunately, once damaged, cartilage does not easily repair.

For many arthritis sufferers management of the daily pain that the condition causes involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However NSAIDs are not without their problems. Whilst they might alleviate pain, long term use of NSAIDs leaves you at greater risk of developing severe and potentially life threatening gastrointestinal problems.

According to a report published in the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology in January 2005, each year in the United States the side effects of long-term NSAID use cause nearly 103,000 hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths. This means that more people die each year from NSAIDs-related complications than from AIDS and cervical cancer in the United States. Therefore, anything that can offer a safe but effective alternative has to be good news - and type II collagen supplementation for those suffering from arthritis pain appears to be able to do just that. It’s safe, non-toxic and clinical trials have shown that it is effective in the management of arthritis.

For example, in a clinical trial involving 60 patients with severe, active rheumatoid arthritis showed a decrease in the number of swollen joints and tender joints among those patients using type II collagen for a period of 3 months(1). Four patients even achieved a complete remission from the disease! The patients in the trial who received the placebo did not experience any decrease in their symptoms. And all this without any side effects being evident!

What makes the Type II Collagen in Hy-Col special?

So now that we’ve established that type II collagen supplementation is not only amazingly effective in fighting the visible signs of aging skin, but also an extremely significant and moreover safe treatment for the management of arthritic pain, why chose Hy-Col?

The answer to this is quite simple - the type II collagen in Hy-Col has been produced in such a way that, for the first time, it can be easily absorbed when taken orally. This breakthrough in production methods, using a patented process developed by BioCell Technologies, has resulted in a purified, partially digested type II collagen supplement of a molecule size that can be readily absorbed by the human body.

What’s more the type II collagen in Hy-Col is derived from the sternum (breastbone) of young chickens. This makes it a superior product - collagen can be derived from a number of different sources but not all collagens are equally as effective.

2. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (also called hyaluronan or hyaluronate) is what is known as glycosaminoglycan (GAG). It is found in every tissue of the body and has a number of important roles to play. It works closely with collagen and is especially important in terms of joint health. It attaches to collagen and elastin in order to form cartilage which as discussed above forms a vital part of a healthy joint.

If you think of the analogy of building a brick wall it helps to demonstrate the close connection between hyaluronic acid and collagen. Collagen is like the bricks that provide the strength and structure to the wall but without mortar to hold them all together the wall would easily be destroyed. Hyaluronic acts like the mortar. It fills in the gaps between the collagen proteins and cushions them in the process. Hyaluronic acid, therefore, helps to keep cartilage strong and flexible.

Hyaluronic acid also helps to deliver nutrients to and carry toxins from cells that do not have their own blood supply such as cartilage. Again, this is essential for keeping cartilage healthy.

Another vitally important role that hyaluronic acid plays in relation to joint health is that it is a major component in synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is a clear, viscous fluid with a stringy, egg-like consistency found in synovial (freely-moveable) joint cavities (the word synovial is actually derived from the Latin word synovium which means "with egg"). Synovial joints are those that are completely enclosed by a thick capsule with fluid inside it, such as the joints of the knees and hips.

Synovial fluid acts as a lubricant, reducing the friction between the cartilage and other tissues in joints, and also as a shock absorber during movement. The viscous and elastic properties of synovial fluid are due to hyaluronic acid. It is vitally important to keep up supplies of synovial fluid if joints are to be kept working smoothly and efficiently.

It is clear then that hyaluronic acid is vitally important to the health of your joints. Without adequate amounts of it, joints become brittle and deteriorate. It is not surprising either that hyaluronic acid has also been successfully used as a treatment for arthritis. In the past this has been done by injection via a treatment known as visco-supplementation but clinical studies now suggest that using hyaluronic acid as an oral treatment, such as Hy-Col, maybe beneficial.

Hyaluronic Acid and your Skin

As mentioned above, hyaluronic acid is not just about joints, it is found throughout the body. It encourages water retention in other bodily tissues and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. In particular, hyaluronic acid is a major component of skin where it is the primary means of moisture retention. This ability to retain water keeps collagen and elastin moist and promotes a youthful, less lined appearance.

Hyaluronic acid has also been proven in clinical studies to help wounds heal more quickly and can reduce the appearance of both old and new scars. It has long been used by cosmetic surgeons for helping skin to heal post operatively or after chemical peels or dermabrasions.

Hyaluronic acid is in high demand. It is eventually broken down and reabsorbed in the body and availability is also known to decline with age. Supplies are therefore often not available for the body to function at its optimal level so it is important to maintain supplementation. Fortunately, type II Collagen (when derived from chicken sternum as in Hy-Col) provides a bioavailable source of hyaluronic acid that can be absorbed by the body.

3. Chondroitin Sulphate

Chrondroitin sulphate is another key element in the formation of cartilage. It is a naturally occurring substance that is used to form special structural chemicals known as proteoglycans. Proteoglycans are proteins with chains of polysaccharides, a kind of carbohydrate, attached. They are present in the connective tissue found in the skin, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.

And it’s this use in the formation of cartilage that we’ll concentrate upon here. Whilst its actions are not yet fully understood, chondroitin sulphate is known to be incorporated into the proteoglycan structures of the cartilage. These structures help to retain fluid, provide flexibility, resist compression and counteract physical stress on the joints in the body. Chondroitin sulphate is, therefore, essential if joints are to remain healthy. Unfortunately, as we age, the quantity of chondroitin sulphate in joint cartilage tends to decline, and this adds to problems of joints becoming stiffer and less resilient. By taking chondroitin sulphate as a supplement, it can be converted in the body into proteoglycans to provide lubrication and support for synovial joints.

Because of its importance in joint health, Chrondroitin sulphate supplementation has also proven to be useful for those suffering from osteoarthritis. It appears to have beneficial effects for sufferers by helping to slow down the breakdown of joint cartilage and keep joints healthier for longer. By acting to enhance the synthesis of hyaluronic acid as well as cartilage production, it can provide some relief from arthritic pain whilst at the same time improve joint mobility. As we’ve already discussed above, being able to manage the pain of arthritis without resorting to NSAIDs has to be a good thing because of the potential side effects of using such anti-inflammatory medication long term. Chrondroitin sulphate supplementation, on the other hand, is extremely well tolerated with very few known side effects (the primary reported side effect being nausea).

Chrondroitin sulphate also inhibits lysosomal enzymes. These are powerful, destructive chemicals that break down tissues enzymes and destroy both cartilage and connective tissue. As joints degenerate and skin ages, lysosomal enzymes become over active and exacerbate the problems of arthritis and the appearance of aging skin.

In addition to all of this Chrondroitin sulphate may even have protective properties. It appears to be able to prevent the formation of kidney stones and may also protect against the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Atherosclerotic plaques can ultimately lead to heart attacks and stroke.

So if you are looking for a product that can literally help to turn back the hands of time in respect of two of the most common signs of aging, or if you suffer from arthritis and are looking for a product that can help manage your condition without potentially dangerous side effects, then look no further than Hy-Col. This natural product has been produced using a patented process that means for the first time you can safely take a type II collagen supplement orally and know that it is going to be effective. With the dual benefit of improving both skin and joint condition, Hy-Col rightly deserves its place as an amazing anti-aging supplement.

Dosage

It is recommended that you take 2 capsules two or three times a day.

References

1. Trentham DE, Dynesius-Trentham RA, Orav EJ, Combitchi D, Lorenzo C, Sewell KL, Hafler DA, Weiner HL. Effects of oral administration of type II collagen on rheumatoid arthritis. Science 24 September 1993: Vol. 261. no. 5129, pp. 1727 – 1730