FLEXIBILITY SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS

Collagen is the main structural protein found in bones, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments. It is responsible for providing these body parts with strength and elasticity. 

The body produces collagen naturally but this production decreases with age [1]. As a result, the skin becomes thinner, bones lose density and joints get more easily injured [2,3].

Collagen supplements play a key role in slowing down this process. LEMAlab's founder Erika Lemay has spent a career trying to mitigate the risks of early joint ageing, pain and injuries. Thanks to key ingredients, FLEXIBLE by LEMAlab has been created to keep your flexibility journey safe and healthy for as long as possible. It contains hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides from pasture-raised animals, Methylsulfonylmethane, Bromelain and Glucosamine Sulphate.

Choosing collagen from pasture-raised animals ensures that the product is high-quality and 100% organic. This means that the animals were able to feed on greens and were raised in strict standards, which is healthy for you and for the environment.

Here is more information about each ingredient contained in FLEXIBLE by LEMAlab and the benefits they provide:

Hydrolysed bovine collagen

Hydrolysed collagen refers to collagen that has been broken down into smaller peptides, which are easier to absorb. 

• A double-blind study reveals that supplementing with hydrolysed collagen can have a significant improvement on skin elasticity [4].
• In a 13-weeks study, participants with knee osteoarthritis were given 10 grams of bovine collagen per day. These people experienced significant improvement in osteoarthritis symptoms [5].
• Bovine collagen is rich in glycine, which is an amino acid that increases gastric acids [6]. This can lead to easier protein breakdown (hence, breakdown of proteins into amino acids and smaller compounds) and improve digestion [7].
• Glycine, found in bovine collagen, can improve the quality of sleep. These findings were published by the Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. (8)
• Researchers believe that hydrolysed collagen can prevent bone loss, turning it into a recommended supplement for patients with bone and joint disease [9].

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

MSM is a chemical found in animals, humans and some plants. It can also be produced in a laboratory. 

• Research studies suggest that MSM supplements can help patients with osteoarthritis relieve pain and improve physical function [10].
• Findings from a randomised study reveal that MSM has demonstrated efficacy for facial skin hydration, improvement in elasticity and skin wrinkles [11].
• MSM might promote hair growth and improve its strength, according to research [12].

Bromelain

Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme found naturally in the pineapple plant. 

• Cell-based studies suggest that bromelain can be a powerful anti-inflammatory and anticancer therapeutic agent [13]. 
• Researchers believe that bromelain might relieve mild knee pain and improve the overall well-being of healthy adults [14].
• Bromelain supplements could aid digestion and alleviate symptoms in patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) by suppressing inflammation [15].
  

Glucosamine Sulphate

Glucosamine sulphate is a chemical found in cartilage—the tissue that cushions the joints. Glucosamine sulphate supplements are often harvested from the shells of shellfish. 

• According to research, supplementing with glucosamine sulphate can provide pain relief for people with knee osteoarthritis and it can slow down joint degeneration [16].
• A double-blind study reveals that glucosamine sulphate supplements can improve knee mobility after an injury. The effects were reported after only four weeks of glucosamine administration [17]. 
• Studies suggest that glucosamine sulphate might promote joint flexibility and improve range of motion [18].

THE BOTTOM LINE

FLEXIBLE by LEMAlab contains easy-to-absorb collagen that delivers excellent results. In a combination with MSM, bromelain and glucosamine sulphate, this product provides numerous health benefits.

• Helps alleviate bone and joint pain
• Improves joint mobility
• Aids digestion and relieves IBD symptoms
• Provides powerful anti-inflammatory effects
• Improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles
• Enhances skin hydration 
• Promotes the quality of sleep
• Prevents bone loss
• Promotes hair growth and strength
• Improves flexibility
• Increases range of motion and soft tissue elasticity

REFERENCES

[1] Collagen loss due to increase in age, Wikipedia

[2] James Varani, Michael K. Dame, Laure Rittie, Suzanne Fligiel, Sewon Kang, Gary Fisher, John Voorhees, ‘Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin’

[3] C. Castelo-Branco , F. Pons, E. Gratacós, A. Fortuny, J. A. Vanrell, J, González-Merlo, ‘Relationship between skin collagen and bone changes during aging’

[4] E. Proksch , D. Segger, J. Degwert, M. Schunck, V. Zague, S. Oesser, ‘Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study’

[5] Suresh Kumar, Fumihito Sugihara, Keiji Suzuki, Naoki Inoue, Sriraam Venkateswarathirukumara, ‘A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, clinical study on the effectiveness of collagen peptide on osteoarthritis’

[6] Collagen Chemistry, Wikipedia

[7] A Wald, S A Adibi, 'Stimulation of gastric acid secreted by glycine and related oligopeptides in humans’

[8] Makoto Bannai, Nobuhiro Kawai, ‘New Therapeutic Strategy for Amino Acid Medicine: Glycine Improves the Quality of Sleep’

[9] R W Moskowitz, ‘Role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease’

[10] Eytan M Debbi, Gabriel Agar, Gil Fichman, Yaron Bar Ziv, Rami Kardosh, Nahum Halperin, Avi Elbaz, Yiftah Beer, Ronen Debi, ‘Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled study’

[11] Ennio Guaitolini, MD, Attilio Cavezzi, MD,corresponding author Stefania Cocchi, MD, Roberto Colucci, PhD, Simone Ugo Urso, MD, and Valentina Quinzi, MD, ‘Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study of a Nutraceutical Based on Hyaluronic Acid, L-carnosine, and Methylsulfonylmethane in Facial Skin Aesthetics and Well-being’

[12] Srinivasan Shanmugam ,Chul-Soon Yong, Han-Gon Choi, Jong Soo Woo, Bong-Kyu Yoo, ‘The Effect of Methylsulfonylmethane on Hair Growth Promotion of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate for the Treatment of Alopecia’

[13] Vidhya Rathnavelu, Noorjahan Banu Alitheen, Subramaniam Sohila, Samikannu Kanagesan, Rajendran Ramesh, ‘Potential role of bromelain in clinical and therapeutic applications’

[14] A F Walker, R Bundy, S M Hicks, R W Middleton, ‘Bromelain reduces mild acute knee pain and improves well-being in a dose-dependent fashion in an open study of otherwise healthy adults’

[15] Jane Onkena, Paula Greerb, Brian Calingaert, Laura Hale, ‘Bromelain treatment decreases secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by colon biopsies in vitro’

[16] Lucio C. Rovati, Federica Girolami, Stefano Persiani, ‘Crystalline glucosamine sulfate in the management of knee osteoarthritis: efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic properties’

[17] S Ostojic , M Arsic, S Prodanovic, J Vukovic, M Zlatanovic, ‘Glucosamine administration in athletes: effects on recovery of acute knee injury’

[18] Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis Pain, Arthritis Foundation