Collagen diseases

Collagen diseases, long associated with aging, are not only found in the elderly. Collagen diseases form an entire group of diseases that involve abnormalities of the immune system. The blood plasma of patients with collagen disease shows significant levels of auto-antibodies.

This antigen-antibody reaction leads to inflammation of many of the body's vital tissues. Here is a brief description of some of those diseases and also a short list of auto-immune diseases:

• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Bursitis, tendonitis and tendinosis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Scleroderma

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term describing inflammation in the joints. The most known form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is also called degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and most commonly occurs in the hips, knees, shoulders and spine. It can dramatically affect the fingers and toes.

All arthritis sufferers share common symptoms of severe pain and loss of movement in both range and motion, all of which destroy youth and lead to a diminished quality of life. Research has demonstrated that when people suffer from arthritis, a selective destruction of collagen in the joint cartilage has occurred. White blood cells attack the joint cartilage, which in turn activates the immune system to develop antibodies. These antibodies turn around and attack what they perceive to now be the enemy, i.e. "collagen". Consequently, the immune system's response is to attack all the cartilage that is degenerating in the body. So, even if there may only be a problem in one wrist or knee, both wrists hurt, both knees hurt, our back, our hips, and both shoulders feel the pain. In the end, the result is the same: age-related pain increases along with a pronounced loss in quality of life.

Rheumatic disease is a frequently-used term, since rheumatoid arthritis, the most common of all diseases, displays many characteristics of this group. The cost of traditional arthritis treatment has skyrocketed from $65 billion in 1992 to nearly $480 billion in 2002. Most of the cost went to disability payments and lost time at work. The effects of arthritis have resulted in 20,000 deaths per year as well as two million hospitalizations each and every year. Furthermore, there was an additional horrific cost of treating the side effects of arthritis medications, including corticosteroid drugs and immune suppressive drugs. Without a doubt, collagen-related diseases represent a terrible burden on society.

With sixty million Americans suffering from arthritis, we can say that there is an arthritis epidemic. John Klippel, Medical Director of the Arthritis Foundation, flatly stated: this should be a wakeup call. We've always thought the problem was greater than expected. Studies and testimonies have demonstrated that a hydrolisat of collagen such as Genacol® is one of the most effective solutions.

Fibromyalgia and collagen

The acceptance of fibromyalgia as a disease and its definitive diagnosis has been hampered by a dearth of knowledge concerning the underlying pathophysiology of this disease and the lack of specific biochemical markers applicable to its diagnosis.

In research, fibromyalgia patients (diagnosis made according to the American College of Rheumatology) had a lower amount of intramuscular collagen and lower levels of collagen metabolites (urine and serum). This may lower the threshold for muscle micro-injury and contribute to the remodelling of the extra-cellular matrix and collagen deposit around the nerve fibres, as well as contribute to the lower pain threshold at the tender points. The average complaint level of pain in people who have had medically diagnosed fibromyalgia for 2-15 years and are taking a "collagen hydrolysate" decreased significantly in an overall group average, and, in some individuals, quite dramatically.

In our opinion, patients with fibromyalgia may improve symptomatically in their chronic pain by taking "collagen hydrolysate" such as Genacol®.

Bursitis, tendonitis and tendinosis

Bursitis, tendonitis and tendinosis are three of the most common collagen diseases affecting us as we age, making us look and feel older. Bursitis is caused by arthritis inflammation or by infection. The joint areas most commonly affected are the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, back, and ankles, etc.

Individuals with bursitis will have pain, tenderness and stiffness near the affected area. Local muscle weakness frequently develops as a result of avoiding painful joint movements, such as those caused by climbing stairs.

Tendinotis, an inflammation of the tendons, has frequently been considered the cause of tendon pain and the associated loss of strength and movement. More recently, researchers have discovered that most people diagnosed with this disease have no sign of tendon inflammation. Consequently, medical science has come to see tendonitis more properly classified as tendinosis. Nowadays, the terms are interchangeable.

Tendinosis/Tendonitis is caused by a breakdown of the collagen-composed tendon. Collagen contributes to the rove-like structure of a tendon and to its strength. When collagen breaks down, small tears appear in the tendon, weakening it and causing pain. It is especially wearing on those who perform repetitious task in their jobs, sports or daily activities.

Bursitis and tendonitis/tendonosis can be successfully treated by resting the affected joints, applying ice packs and taking Genacol Collagen supplements. This combination can help to regenerate and rebuild the tendons.

A few more examples of diseases relating to collagen deficiency

Here is a list of diseases which DirectLab Inc. has frequently received eloquent testimonies where a significant decline of the symptoms and pains were noticed after taking Genacol®:

All arthritic types, arthrosis, fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendonitis or tendinosis, acute rheumatic fever, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, infectious scleroderma, arthritis, polymyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren's syndrome, etc. Two of those diseases are detailed:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and serious type of lupus. With SLE, the immune system that normally protects the body from germs, viruses, and bacteria begins to malfunction. It generates antibodies that attack healthy tissue in different parts of the body. These tissues become inflamed as a result. Inflammation can occur in the skin, muscles, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and the nervous system.

The word scleroderma means 'hard skin.' Scleroderma is a condition where the skin gets thick and hard.

When it comes to traditional medicine, there are no approved treatments available for ailments linked to the decreasing collagen production. Aspirin and aspirin compounds, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, whether used separately or in combination, usually supply only temporary relief. Other ailments related to collagen deficiency, such as rheumatic fever, can be treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, none of the current traditional treatments are completely effective.

Genacol® VS Celebrex, Vioxx & Bextra :

Used to ease the pain of arthritis, Celebrex has undesirable side effects similar to those found in Vioxx and Bextra, two medications taken off the market because of the health risks associated with their use. These results were revealed by New Zealand researchers. They've shown that Celebrex could double the risks of heart attacks. In 2005, 32 experts reunited by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recognized unanimously that Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex could significantly increase the risks of heart trouble.

Reference: Le Lundi, vol 30, no. 16, July 8, 2006.