Vita Pro-Flex Drink

In phases of greater physical stress, where the build-up and breakdown of tissue no longer balance each other, symptoms of overuse arise. Partial tears or even tears in the Achilles tendon, for example, are the result. In this case, by adding the substances that are essential for tendon nutrition, on the one hand pain relief and on the other hand an increase in resilience can be achieved.

Targeted nutrition of the collagen tissue
In phases of greater physical exertion, where tissue build-up and breakdown are no longer in balance, overuse complaints arise. Partial tears or even ruptures of the Achilles tendon, for example, are the result. In this case, an additional supply of the substances that are important for tendon nutrition can on the one hand alleviate pain and on the other hand increase resilience. Likewise, the healing process after operations on tendons and ligaments can be promoted and thus the rehabilitation can be shortened.

The natural active substances collagen hydrolysate, chondroitin and glucosamine sulphate are important for tissue nutrition of collagen, especially of tendons, cartilage, ligaments and the skin. Since the regeneration of these connective tissues is very slow, it makes sense to take collagen hydrolysate, chondroitin and glucosamine sulphate over a longer period of at least 3 to 4 months.

Collagen is a structural protein of connective tissue found in humans and animals. In the human body, collagen is the most abundant protein, accounting for over 50% of the total weight of all proteins. It is the organic component of bones, teeth and the essential component of tendons, ligaments and skin. Collagen fibres have enormous tensile strength and extremely high extensibility. Collagen is well absorbed by the organism in the form of collagen hydrolysate. The optimal dosage is 10 grams per day. Collagen hydrolysate is composed of amino acids, whereby the amino acid combination proline-hydroxyproline-glycine is very often incorporated.

Proline & hydroxyproline are found in collagen hydrolysate. Proline is one of 19 amino acids that we get in our diet every day. Amino acids are the building blocks of dietary and body proteins . Every dietary protein is broken down into amino acids in the course of the digestive processes and then rebuilt in the organism according to its specific blueprint to form the body's own protein.

Collagen is the most important component of our musculoskeletal system and is responsible for the stability of the tissue. Depending on the quality of the collagen, the tensile strength of the tendons, the cushioning function of the cartilage and the elasticity of the skin suffer. Optimal tissue function (quality of collagen) must therefore be ensured by good tissue nutrition. Our daily diet often does not contain enough of these building blocks (amino acids) and they must be specifically supplied as dietary supplements.

Collagen with amino acid deficit (left) and stable network with adequate amino acid supply (right).

Proline and hydroxyproline contribute significantly to the formation of the so-called «collagen tissue», which is the basic substance of tendons and ligaments. Together with other amino acids, proline and hydroxyproline form a stable network that is primarily responsible for the tensile strength and thus resilience of the collagenous tissue.

Glucosamine sulphate is an essential building block of proteoglycans, the proteins that bind water in cartilage tissue so that it retains its cushioning effect. Together with chondroitin, it stimulates the formation of new cartilage tissue and strengthens collagen fibres while keeping cartilage-destroying enzymes under control. They work closely together to keep cartilage healthy and efficient.
The most effective and studied form is glucosamine sulphate. The recommended dosage is 1000 to 1500 mg per day.

Chondroitin sulphate is an important basic biological substance of cartilage. Chondroitin sulphate has an effect on cartilage nutrition. Chondroitin sulphate should be taken in a dosage of at least 500 mg per day.

Vitamins C and E are indispensable for the optimal incorporation of amino acids into the basic substance of the connective tissue. In the absence of these vitamins, the connective tissue fibrils cannot form a helix, elasticity de-creases and the collagen fibre loses strength.

Manganese is an indispensable trace element that is associated, among other things, with bone growth and the building of proteins.

Of course, the therapy for targeted nourishment of the collagen tissue needs time and patience. Although an effect can often be noticed after 2-3 weeks, the duration of the cure should be at least 3-4 months.

Why collagen hydrolysate?

Collagen is a long-chain fibrous protein that has the same amino acid structure as the collagen in joint cartilage and contains particularly high amounts of the amino acids proline, hydroxyproline and glycine.

In the form of collagen hydrolysate, it is the ideal building material supplier for the important type II collagen in tendons, ligaments, connective tissue and joint cartilage. In the studies, which showed a clear improvement in joint function and a significant reduction in pain, 10g of collagen hydrolysate was taken daily for 8 to 24 weeks.

Absorption / effect: Stimulation of collagen II synthesis
The effect of collagen hydrolysate in native cartilage tissue was tested. For this purpose, a cell culture of mature bovine chondrocytes was incubated with collagen hydrolysate for three days. The cell culture was then incubated for a further 8 days. As controls, preparations with native collagen (gelatine) or collagen-free protein hydrolysate were used. A dose-dependent increase of up to 2.5-fold in collagen II synthesis was observed with collagen hydrolysate.

Neither native collagen (gelatine) nor collagen-free hydrolysate showed a similar effect. Furthermore, it could be proven that labelled collagen hydrolysate is actually accumulated in the articular cartilage.