IMPORTANCE OF AMINO ACIDS IN CARTILAGE
Cartilage is dense and flexible connective tissue that is very rich in collagen (almost 67% of its dry weight). It is found at the junction of several bones of the skeleton. It looks like rubber and absorbs the impact caused by movement. It is cool-white and smooth and about 3 mm thick. There are many kinds of cartilage; the one found in the knees or the discs between the vertebrae is very rich in fibres and contributes to resisting friction during movement. In children, we find a growth cartilage that is later transformed into bone, allowing the bone to lengthen.
Cartilage is a living tissue. It is comprised of cells called chondrocytes (cartilaginous cells) that undergo production and destruction cycles to maintain the balance of cartilage.
The main reasons of the selective destruction of cartilage cells are caused by two phenomena. Firstly, the normal aging process promotes the destruction of chondrocytes and collagen is therefore reduced. Secondly, sometimes fragments of cartilage break off and end up in the fluid of the joint. The immune system then recognizes this and causes an inflammation and attacks the cartilage, thus promoting its degeneration.
Therefore, even if a problem occurs in a single place, for example one wrist, the other wrist, knees, shoulders, hips and the back can also hurt.
