L-PROLINE USP BP IP

L-Proline, a non-essential amino acid, is a precursor, along with vitamin C, of collagen. Collagen is a building block of tendons, ligaments, arteries, veins and muscles--the heart muscle in particular; collagen also helps heal cartilage, and cushions joints and vertebrae.

Proline is the amino acid necessary for the production of collagen and cartilage for healthy joints, ligaments and tendons. Joints are complicated structures that connect bones to allow for movement. There are different types of joints, including hinge, ball-and-socket, saddle and pivot joints. They are bound on the outside by fibrous bands, called ligaments. Each ligament contains fibrous tissue of collagen, in a capsule, which surrounds the joint. The lining of the capsule is a thin membrane called the synovium that continuously produces a small amount of fluid for lubrication. Cartilage is a smooth, flexible tissue that covers the surface where the bones meet, and acts as a shock absorber and reduces friction. Osteoarthritis, is caused by wear and tear on the joints, as well as possible free radical damage, and generally is associated with aging. While heredity and obesity effect the incidence of Osteoarthritis, it may also develop due to overuse or injury to the joints. The articular cartilage, which is the smooth lining of the joint, begins to deteriorate, and may eventually affect the bone. Without sufficient cartilage, movement of the joint becomes restricted and painful. Swelling, stiffness and pain are symptoms of this often-debilitating condition, which affects the joints of the hips, knees, and spine.