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Joint and muscle pain: get rid of your complaints
The primary purpose of our joints is to enable movement. They connect bones. This allows us to walk, jump, bend, and twist. Joints also help us absorb shock and prevent our bones from rubbing against each other, thanks to cartilage and what's called "synovial fluid."
An active lifestyle demands a lot from our bodies and unfortunately, sometimes comes with some dreaded ailments, such as muscle and joint pain . Fatigue and a lack of energy are also frequently reported ailments in our practice.
If you truly want to eliminate these complaints, it's helpful to understand their origins. Only by addressing the underlying cause can you work toward lasting improvement.
So let's dive a little deeper together into what exactly is going on in your body.
Topics in this article
Painful joints
Our joints are subjected to daily stress. It's therefore no surprise that joint wear and tear develops with age. This is even more true for those who lead an active lifestyle . During movements like running, cycling, or strength training, your joints constantly absorb the shocks and forces generated. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber , ensuring that bones move smoothly against each other. However, prolonged stress inevitably leads to wear and tear. As this cartilage becomes thinner or less flexible, friction can occur. This often results in stiffness, swelling, or chronic pain .
The structure of cartilage mainly consists of:
- Collagen fibers , which provide strength and shape
- Jelly-like substances such as proteoglycans (including glucosamine and chondroitin), which attract water and give cartilage its resilience
Thanks to this composition, cartilage functions like a sponge: when loaded, it compresses, and when relaxed, it reabsorbs nutrients from the synovial fluid. This allows for friction-free movement and protects the underlying bone from impact .
When this process is disrupted, for example, by overuse, inflammation, or aging, the quality of the cartilage decreases. It loses its elasticity, becomes dehydrated, or thins, making joints stiffer and more sensitive .
This wear and tear isn't just a consequence of aging or stress, but often occurs when the balance between stress and recovery is disrupted. This can be due to insufficient recovery time, a deficiency of building blocks like collagen or sulfur compounds, or low-grade inflammation that subtly affects the connective tissue. Hormonal changes, such as a drop in estrogen after menopause, can also make cartilage more vulnerable.
This is compounded by the natural decline in synovial fluid and muscle strength. It's no surprise, then, that joints can sometimes feel tender or painful during an active lifestyle. Regular support and attention to your joints are therefore essential for maintaining smooth, pain-free movement.
Finally, it's also important to note that joint wear and tear is hereditary. You may be at increased risk for chronic joint pain if your parents also have it.
Pain in muscles
Muscle soreness is almost inevitable for many people with active lifestyles. It affects both avid athletes and regular walkers. Stiff, aching muscles a day or two after exercise are a common complaint. But where does this muscle soreness actually come from? And more importantly: what is your body trying to tell you?
Muscle soreness usually occurs due to small tears in your muscle fibers, caused by unusual or intense exertion. This is completely normal; in fact, it's a sign that your muscles are adapting and getting stronger. But persistent or severe muscle soreness can also indicate overuse, lack of recovery, or deficiencies in the nutrients needed for the repair process.
Fatigue and lack of energy
We all know exercise is important. That's why we do our best to lace up our running shoes after a hard day at work. Or we set the alarm an hour earlier for a workout. But sometimes fatigue takes over, and we just can't find the energy to exercise. However, physical activity can actually give you energy. The remarkable thing is that exercise, if done at the right intensity, can actually give you energy instead of exhausting you further. There are several reasons for this:
- Exercise improves your blood circulation . This allows oxygen and nutrients to reach your muscles and brain more quickly. This can give you an instant energy boost
- Exercise releases serotonin, also known as our "happiness hormone." This can contribute to a more positive mood and a feeling of energy. Even a light workout can have this effect, making you feel better after exercise than before.
- Exercise also improves your sleep quality. People who exercise regularly often sleep better and more deeply, meaning you wake up feeling more refreshed in the long run. This can reduce your overall fatigue level.
- Mental clarity and reduced stress: Exercise can clear your head and reduce stress. Mental fatigue often stems from stress, worries, or a busy schedule. A light workout can help give your mind some rest.
- It's important to adjust the intensity of your exercise to your personal fitness level. Otherwise, you risk overtraining and your body won't be able to recover properly. Listen to your body. Sometimes a gentle form of exercise, like walking or yoga, can be better than a strenuous workout. So build up the intensity gradually!
An active lifestyle without limitations
Sometimes these common complaints cause us to exercise less. However, in most cases, that's not the solution. Unless there's an injury or inflammation, in which case rest is of course essential, exercise remains an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise improves your fitness, muscle strength, mental resilience, reduces stress, and contributes to your general well-being.
Finding the right balance between an active lifestyle and sufficient rest and recovery is therefore crucial. First and foremost, a healthy diet and adequate hydration are crucial elements in supporting your body before, during, and after physical activity. A balanced diet with sufficient protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates helps maintain strong bones and flexible joints.
In addition, it can be beneficial to provide your body with additional support with targeted nutrients. That's why Insentials developed the J-Magneflex II, a 3-in-1 sports shot that contributes to:
- Maintaining flexible joints
- A natural energy boost
- A faster recovery after exercise
The unique formula combines hydrolyzed cartilage (with type II collagen peptides and chondroitin), N-acetylglucosamine, and magnesium citrate. Three carefully selected ingredients with a proven role in supporting joint health, muscle function, and energy metabolism. Discover how each of these substances supports your active lifestyle.
CartiFlex complex with cartilage hydrolyzate and N-acetylglucosamine for your joints
With the increasing demand for natural and effective joint support, cartilage hydrolysate is playing an increasingly prominent role in scientific literature and in the field of supplementation.
Cartilage hydrolysate (or hydrolyzed cartilage) is a form of cartilage that has been broken down (hydrolyzed) into smaller pieces or building blocks. These building blocks consist of type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate.
Let's start with type II collagen. There are 28 different types of collagen in total, each with a specific function and location in the body. The collagen found in cartilage is type II, not to be confused with type I collagen .
Type I is the most common type in our bodies, particularly in our skin, bones, tendons, and connective tissue. It's also found in Insentials' Smart Collagen, as this type of collagen strengthens the skin and stimulates the production of natural collagen. Smart Collagen is therefore recommended to support your skin during the aging process.
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Type II collagen, on the other hand, is primarily found in cartilage. Type II collagen is important for elasticity, resilience, and shock absorption . These are, as mentioned above, properties necessary for smooth joint movement and to prevent wear and tear.
Because collagen is a large and complex protein , hydrolysis is a key step. This process breaks the collagen down into smaller pieces, called peptides. This significantly improves its absorption (bioavailability).
Research shows that these smaller molecules are more easily transported through the intestinal wall and absorbed more quickly by the body (Skov et al., 2019; Ichikawa et al., 2010). This soluble and easily absorbed form of collagen has been shown, according to studies, to be an effective contributor to maintaining joint health (Harris et al., 2021).
The second component of this hydrolyzed cartilage is chondroitin sulfate. This substance also occurs naturally in cartilage. It helps keep the cartilage elastic, resilient, and well-hydrated. It attracts and retains water. It is also suggested that it stimulates the production of new cartilage .
Research shows that if you already experience chronic joint pain, hydrolyzed cartilage can help reduce it. One study even found that taking hydrolyzed cartilage reduced joint pain by 60% after 12 weeks (Newman et al., 2023)
Further research shows that hydrolysis not only increases collagen solubility but also preserves essential amino acids such as glycine and proline. These amino acids play a key role in the strength and resilience of cartilage , making cartilage hydrolysate particularly suitable for joint support supplements (Iwai et al., 2005; Kawaguchi et al., 2012).
In addition, J-Magneflex II also contains N-acetylglucosamine, a third building block of cartilage. It is a derivative of glucosamine and plays a key role in the formation of cartilage, connective tissue, and synovial fluid. It is essentially a gentler form of glucosamine, making it better tolerated than the pure form. Research (Naraoka et al., 2017) shows that after 8 weeks of taking N-acetylglucosamine, there is already a significant reduction in pain. Furthermore, there is also a functional improvement in the joints.
Magnesium: essential for exercise and recovery
The third ingredient in J-Magneflex II is magnesium ions in a fast-absorbing formula, magnesium citrate. Magnesium is an important mineral to supplement with an active lifestyle. When we exercise intensively, we lose not only fluids but also important minerals, including magnesium. This mineral plays a role in our energy metabolism, muscle function, and the nervous system. It helps with, among other things:
Reducing fatigue
The normal functioning of muscles
Supporting the nervous system
Maintaining strong bones
Regulating the electrolyte balanceInsufficient magnesium supplementation can lead to all kinds of complaints such as:
- Muscle cramps or tremors
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Dizziness or headache
- Tingling or restless legs
- Decreased concentration or mental fatigue, and even mood swings
Did you know, by the way, that a magnesium deficiency is often difficult to objectively determine? Only a small portion of the total magnesium in the body is found in the blood, meaning a standard blood test often doesn't provide a complete picture . Your body signals are therefore often a more reliable indicator.
However, not all forms of magnesium are absorbed equally well by the body. Bioavailability (how well your body absorbs and utilizes it) varies greatly depending on the form:
- Magnesium citrate : an organically bound form that is highly absorbable. It is often used for fatigue, muscle pain, and recovery after exercise.
- Magnesium oxide : an inorganic form with lower absorbability, mainly used as a mild laxative or for short-term use.
- Magnesium bisglycinate : bound to the amino acid glycine. This form is particularly well-tolerated, gentle on the intestines, and is often chosen for stress-related complaints and sleep disorders.
For athletes or people with increased energy and muscle recovery needs, magnesium citrate is a good choice due to its high absorption and effectiveness at the cellular level. Magnesium citrate is a stable solution that releases its magnesium ions in water. The citrate also promotes absorption through the intestinal wall.
First, you can get some magnesium from your diet . Think of whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, or vegetables like spinach and kale. You can read more about magnesium-rich foods in our blog.
If you exercise regularly or are physically active, it may be worthwhile to supplement with magnesium. This is especially true because it reduces fatigue and contributes to a quick boost in available energy . Magnesium is known to contribute to the reduction of fatigue and plays a role in the process by which your body converts food into usable energy.
An optimal magnesium intake supports both mental and physical resilience. This is especially important for athletes or people with busy schedules. Magnesium not only helps produce energy but also ensures stable energy levels throughout the day, without peaks or crashes. This keeps you focused, alert, and energetic, even when your body or mind is under strain.
Flexible joints: daily support thanks to Insentials J-Magneflex II
J-Magneflex II is a carefully formulated formula with liquid magnesium ions, type II collagen peptides, chondroitin sulfate, and N-acetylglucosamine. This powerful combination supports your joints, muscles, and cartilage. It's ideal for those who want to take care of their body daily as part of an active lifestyle.
Daily intake for optimal support
J-Magneflex II is easy to use and ideal as a daily supplement. Take the shot preferably in the morning. This way, your body immediately benefits from the quickly absorbed magnesium ions and the active ingredients that support muscle, joint, and cartilage:
- Magnesium ions: are quickly absorbed and support your energy levels, reduce fatigue, and contribute to normal muscle function. Thanks to their optimal absorption, they help your muscles recover faster after exercise, so you can regain your strength more quickly.
- Collagen type II : the main component of cartilage, provides strength, shock absorption and flexibility in the joints.
- Chondroitin sulfate: helps retain water in cartilage, which contributes to the resilience and flexibility of joints. It also works synergistically with glucosamine and type II collagen.
- N-acetylglucosamine: a substance naturally occurring in the body that is involved in the construction and repair of cartilage tissue.
Together, these ingredients contribute to the maintenance of healthy, flexible joints , even during daily strain or as you age.
WADA approved: also for top athletes
Good news for top athletes: J-Magneflex II is WADA certified. This means the shot can also be used by professional athletes to enhance their performance.
After all, WADA stands for the World Anti-Doping Agency, the global organization responsible for establishing and enforcing the doping list. This list contains substances and methods prohibited in sports because they can unnaturally enhance performance or pose health risks. Supplements with the WADA label have been tested by independent laboratories for the presence of these prohibited substances. This allows elite athletes to support their performance without jeopardizing their sporting integrity or careers.
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