An increasing number of elderly people have difficulty even washing their face due to back pain and stiff knees, making it difficult to sit on the floor. There are many cases where you have to take a few steps to rest even on your usual path. Joints absorb shocks and soften movements between bones, and when cartilage is worn out and joint fluid is reduced due to aging, this buffering function drops sharply, causing pain even in small movements.

The problem is that cartilage, which has begun to wear out once, is difficult to recover naturally. Experts stress that it is necessary to manage cartilage damage before it progresses, not after pain begins. In particular, it is important to supplement the core components of cartilage from the outside.

Chondroitin is a typical ingredient. Chondroitin is a substance that accounts for about a third of cartilage, and it plays a role in slowing cartilage damage by reducing joint friction and maintaining elasticity. However, depending on the raw material, the rate and effectiveness of absorption in the body differ.

Recently, chondroitin extracted from bovine cartilage has attracted attention. It has a molecular structure similar to that of human cartilage, so it is characterized by fast absorption in the body. Some studies have shown that the absorption time of chondroitin derived from bovine cartilage is about four times faster than that of components extracted from sharks. Analysts say that the faster the absorption, the faster it can reach the inflammatory area and help relieve pain.

In fact, there is also a study that showed that the knee pain index decreased by about 36% as a result of consuming chondroitin derived from bovine cartilage for one year in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It was found that the effect of relieving pain and improving joint function continued even after 3 months of intake.

The older the age, the greater the need for chondroitin management. This is because chondroitin is not sufficiently produced in the body and tends to decrease with aging. In particular, external supplementation is important as the body content is known to decrease significantly after the 70s.

Chondroitin is sometimes consumed as a "mucopolysaccharide protein" along with glucosamine and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients reduce cartilage inflammation and help lubricate the joints. Recently, a new product has been introduced that reduced molecular size and increased absorption rate through enzyme decomposition. Some human application tests showed that after consuming chondroitin, bovine cartilage-derived mucopolysaccharide protein for a certain period of time, joint pain and physical function evaluation index (WOMAC) improved.

In line with this trend, related health functional foods are also being released. JW Pharmaceutical introduced "Pyeonhanson Mucodac sugar protein 1200" with small cartilage chondroitin as the main ingredient. This product contains 1,200mg of chondroitin derived from small cartilage on a daily basis and contains manganese and vitamin D together to consider not only joint and cartilage but also bone health.

The company explained that it is suitable for middle-aged people who use a lot of joints, people who are active, and those who need joint flexibility management. In particular, the product composition has been expanded in consideration of the period when joint pain intensifies due to seasonal changes. Currently, it is in the process of promoting an additional two months for a four-month purchase.

Experts emphasize, "Once joint pain begins, it affects the entire daily life," and "It is important to supplement and manage cartilage components from the early stages."

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