[Effects of Squid Cartilage] From Joint Cartilage to Bone Health, 3 Benefits of E-type Chondroitin

Hello, I am Jinny, a pharmacist.

If we were to pick the most popular nutritional supplement among people today, it's likely that chondroitin would come to mind. Chondroitin supplements extracted from shark or bovine cartilage are commonly consumed. However, today, we'd like to introduce a newcomer that's gaining recognition in the academic field, "Squid Cartilage Chondroitin."

Chondroitin comes in different types with varying effects depending on the source of extraction. Chondroitin from bovine cartilage falls into the A or C type, while chondroitin from shark cartilage belongs to the C or D type. Chondroitin extracted from squid cartilage is categorized as "Type E."

So, what benefits can we expect from Type E chondroitin? In summary, Type E chondroitin can promote joint cartilage health and also aid in bone health by stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone destruction. Now, let's dive into the research to explore Type E chondroitin extracted from squid cartilage in more detail.

Bones are tissues where the actions of osteoblast cells, which build bones, and osteoclast cells, which break down bones, are balanced to maintain a specific density. As we age, conditions like osteoporosis occur when the actions of osteoclast cells become dominant over osteoblast cells. In particular, women become more susceptible to osteoporosis as the decrease in the female hormone estrogen promotes the creation of osteoclast cells.

In this context, let's explore a cell experiment that studied the impact of Type E chondroitin extracted from squid cartilage on osteoblast cells. This experiment was conducted by Japanese researchers and published in the Journal of Cellular Physiology, an SCI-grade academic journal, in 2008.

The researchers treated osteoblast cells with various types of chondroitin, and it was found that Type E chondroitin, unlike Type C or Type D chondroitin, promoted the growth of osteoblast cells even at significantly lower concentrations.

Many people think of collagen as an inner beauty ingredient. However, collagen is a crucial component of joint cartilage and bones. As we age, collagen synthesis in the body decreases, and its breakdown is accelerated, leading to weakened cartilage and bones.

Therefore, researchers in the field are exploring substances that can assist in collagen synthesis and its impact on joint cartilage and bone health. E-type chondroitin, derived from squid cartilage, is one such substance.

In the previously mentioned experiment, it was confirmed that treating osteoblast cells with E-type chondroitin from squid cartilage promotes collagen accumulation. Additionally, it was confirmed that unlike A-type and C-type chondroitin, E-type chondroitin is the only one to increase collagen's structural components.

As mentioned earlier, osteoporosis is related to an excessive activation of osteoclasts compared to osteoblasts.

According to another experiment published in the SCI-grade journal Dental Materials Journal, E-type chondroitin extracted from squid cartilage was found to inhibit the differentiation of osteoclasts. The research team described these experimental results as “having the potential for E-type chondroitin to serve as a component for treating bone defects.”

Today, we’ve looked at the joint cartilage and bone health benefits of E-type chondroitin extracted from squid cartilage. E-type chondroitin is being researched as a novel material that can activate osteoblast cells, promote collagen accumulation, and, conversely, inhibit osteoclast cells to support bone health.

Chondroitin, as a component, is well-known, but it's important to note that there are various types of chondroitin. I assume this content may be the first introduction for you to chondroitin from squid cartilage. I'll continue to provide information about promising ingredients newly researched in the academic field promptly.

I hope you have a healthy day both physically and mentally. This was Jinny.