Collagen
Deficiency Conditions
The natural healing
process of the blood vessels, heart and skin, is collagen
synthesis and remodeling of the extra-cellular matrix. The
significant contribution of Dr. Rath’s research is that
an abundance of the amino acid proline and lysine, from collagen,
act as a Teflon-like layer around the lipoprotein plaque particles
and detach them from their anchor sites in the vascular wall
and initiate the reversal of plaque deposits. Further, collagen
supplementation, when coupled with Vitamin C, stimulates the
natural repair process to rebuild and reinforce the vascular
wall. In Spain, Portugal and Italy, glucosamine sulfate has
been the treatment of choice since the early 1980s. Glucosamine
is required for the synthesis of GAGs. The synthesis of glucosamine,
coming from glucose and glutamine in the body, tends to be
slowed and diminished in later life. Long-chain GAGs, such
as chondroitan sulfate, have inhibitory actions and processes
against enzymes that cause degenerative joint diseases. Repair
of the extra-cellular matrix, which is destroyed in arthritis,
needs collagen supplementation coupled with glucosamine sulfate
for reversal. In a study by R. Luke, Ph.D., it was found that
95 per cent of all patients treated with bovine collagen and
glucosamine sulfate had reversal of arthritis compared to
72 per cent in patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs.
Osteoarthritis
is the most common form of arthritis affecting more than 40
million Americans. It is characterized by joint degeneration,
loss of cartilage, alterations of subchondrial bone and damage
to the extra-cellular matrix. There is a 35 per cent incidence
of weakness in the knees as early as age 30. Its incidence
increases dramatically with age affecting 80 per cent of all
person over the age of 50. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs are the common medical treatment but these medications
have adverse side-effects in the gastrointestinal tract and
actually accelerate cartilage destruction and aggravate osteoarthritic
conditions.
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