[Megan]

Can't hurt....

Jello Anyone?

As strange as it might seem, the main ingredient (gelatin) in good old Jello might be just what the doctor ordered for painful joints.

Gelatin has been marketed world wide for many years as a food and as a supplement. Gelatin is made from animal collagen.

In all animals--including man--collagen is an essential structural protein that forms an important part of bones, tendons, and connective tissues. It is a tough insoluble protein that is essential for keeping the many cells and tissues of the body together.

Gelatin contains an exceptionally high content of two amino acids which play an important part in collagen formation, namely proline and glycine.

In fact, it takes 43 grams of dried egg whites or 35 grams of dried non fat milk or 89 grams of lean beef to equal the amount of proline in just 10 grams of hydrolyzed gelatin.

Though the body can form these two amino acids on its own, it has been suggested that under certain conditions the rate of synthesis may be insufficient to provide essential body requirements and degradation can exceed synthetic processes (i.e. there is a steady loss of body collagen).

The intake of hydrolyzed gelatin appears to be an alternative route to getting chondrocytes (cartilage producing cells) and osteoblasts (bone forming cells) of the body sufficient amounts of these important amino acids for making structural proteins.

Although chondrocytes are critical for collagen formation, their number is limited and their ability to form this much needed protein is influenced by heredity, age, physical activity (too little or too much), injury, and availability of nutrients.

Although bone metabolism is quite complex and not fully understood, there is a growing number of studies showing the intake of just ten grams per day of hydrolyzed gelatin is effective in greatly reducing pain, improving mobility and overall bone/cartilage health. Several randomized, double-blinded, crossover trials have shown improvements in symptoms related to joint pain (Adem et. al. Therapiewoche, 1991).

The people at Knox (the Jello people) have made a product specifically for bone health and joints called NutraJoint. It contains hydrolyzed gelatin, calcium , and vitamin C. Calcium is of obvious importance to bone health and vitamin C is an essential and limiting nutrient for connective tissue formation.

NutraJoint is cheap, has no side effects, and tastes good. I recommend one packet mixed with OJ with breakfast for people suffering from joint pain.

Joint Pain, Joint Health - Joint Supplement for Join Health and Pain

OTOH:

Does it work?

The NutraJoint web site refers to several laboratory studies, some animal research, and a few small human clinical trials from Europe to support the product claims. But this evidence seems to be about as soft as, well, Jell-O. There is apparently no hard scientific evidence, from replicated, double blind human studies, showing that NutraJoint works.

Undoubtably, some people who take the supplement may feel better. However, this could be due to the placebo effect -- if you believe something works, it sometimes does.

Also, joint discomfort, and many forms of arthritis, often tend to flair-up and then subside. So, taking NutraJoint, or some other concoction, when pain is about to subside, could lead you to attribute the relief to the product rather than to the natural pain cycle. In short, based upon current published research, NutraJoint will probably do little, if anything, to improve your flexibility or the health of your joints.

Bottom Line:

Although there is little evidence to backup NutraJoint marketing claims, the supplement will do your body no harm. But it can stress the pocket book. NutraJoint is not cheap, about $13 to $16 per month if taken as recommended.

If you decide to buy this product, talk to your doctor first. Don’t, of course, replace any of your current medications with NutraJoint. If a medication you are currently taking is not working or is causing side effects, ask your doctor to suggest some options.

Knox NutraJoint -- A Questionable Value

See also:

Food Features: Why Broth is Beautiful "Essential" Roles for Proline, Glycine and Gelatin

I think it's worth a try, even if the studies are not yet replicated. But that's just me--sure cheaper than surgery....