A Study Suggests Algae May Be a New Weapon Against Arthritis

(Newswire.net — November 30, 2022) Orlando, FL — Various studies have been carried out to look into the possible treatments for arthritis, which is considered to be the most widespread joint disease. 

Estimates reveal that around 90 percent of all individuals over the age of 65 have this condition to varying degrees. While it is common in the elderly, it is also widespread among younger individuals. 

Arthritis develops when the joint cartilage, which is a type of protective layer on bones lubricating the joint, degenerates over time. Sufferers often struggle with extreme pain, and this is due to the fact that inflammatory reactions are linked with cartilage degeneration. 

It is worth noting that arthritis can impact all joints in the body, but most often it affects the knee joint, hip joint, and fingers.  

The research team was spearheaded by ETHZ researcher Marcy Zenobi-Wong and Empa researcher Katharina Maniura and has now succeeded, together with SINTEF in Norway.

In laboratory tests, they were able to identify a substance demonstrating the potential to halt cartilage degeneration in joints. This substance is polysaccharide alginate extracted from the stems of brown algae — or more precisely cuvie (Lat. Laminaria Hyperborea).

According to the researchers, it is similar to specific extracellular biomolecules in cartilage. They chemically modified the alginate with sulfate groups and in dissolved it was added to form cell cultures. It was for the purpose of examining the reaction of various cell types to the modified polysaccharide. 

This has shown that alginate sulfate can significantly lessen oxidative stress, which often causes cell damage or even cell death. Further, the more sulfate groups attached to the alginate molecule, the greater this decrease.

It is also worth noting that the alginate sulfate suppressed inflammation reaction, depending on the number of sulfate groups. It worked in down-regulating the expression of genes, which triggers an inflammatory reaction in human cartilage cells.

These cells are known as chondrocytes, and in macrophages, the “scavenger cells” of our immune system. 

The algal molecules should therefore slow down cartilage degeneration. “The hope is that they can even stop this degeneration,” says Empa researcher Markus Rottmar.

More studies are still underway to look into the remedies potentially helpful for arthritis management. However, it remains true that all-natural remedies are highly recommended and widely studied. 

These include the use of glucosamine, which is an all-natural remedy found to help repair joint cartilage damage.

Today, more and more sufferers of arthritis turn to the use of formulas like VitaBreeze Glucosamine. This superior-strength supplement is also equipped with other arthritis-fighting ingredients like MSM, turmeric, and chondroitin. (http://amazon.com/Glucosamine-Chondroitin-Turmeric-Dietary-Supplement/dp/B00DUMO9X4)