What if treatment would be more integrative, earlier and more human for osteoarthritis?

What if treatment would be more integrative, earlier and more human for osteoarthritis?

What if treatment would be more integrative, earlier and more human?

By Marc Dellière

All too often regarded as an age-related inevitability, osteoarthritis now affects more than 10 million French people. Yet there are many complementary, scientifically-validated strategies available to improve patients’ quality of life.

Articular cartilage is an incredibly resistant tissue, capable of withstanding loads far greater than our body weight. The problem is that this tissue, however efficient, is very difficult to repair. Devoid of blood vessels, it depends on a slow process of nutrient diffusion to survive. And since chondrocytes live in an oxygen-poor environment, their ability to regenerate the matrix is limited.

Hence the importance of protecting this joint capital from the very first signs.

Every kilo lost relieves 4 to 6 kilos of pressure on the hips or knees… a good reason to promote appropriate physical activity and a balanced diet.

What if, in the face of osteoarthritis, we dared to take a more comprehensive, more humane and earlier approach?

Get moving.

Yoga, walking, cycling and tai chi all help to lighten joints, activate muscles and limit degeneration.

Manage pain and stress.

Hypnosis, meditation, sophrology and cardiac coherence can really improve symptom management.

 

Eat well.

The plate is a well-known Hippocratic therapy. Fewer fast sugars, more antioxidant-rich foods and a plant-based diet similar to the Mediterranean diet for less inflammation.

 

Good referral.

Acupuncture, derived from traditional Chinese medicine, is becoming an increasingly popular treatment option for osteoarthritis patients. Its effectiveness is neither magic nor a simple placebo effect. Several studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing chronic pain, improving joint mobility and limiting the use of analgesics. By acting on nerve pathways and inflammation mediators, acupuncture offers a valuable complementary approach.

 

Supplement well.

  • Turmeric (curcumin): well-documented anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Boswellia serrata: supports joint flexibility.
  • Harpagophytum: reduces perceived pain.
  • Omega-3: modulation of chronic inflammation.
  • Glucosamine & chondroitin: slow cartilage wear and improve joint comfort in certain patients, notably in cases of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.
  • Type II collagen and hyaluronic acid: structural support for cartilage, promoting suppleness and elasticity.

 

Far from pitting conventional treatments against natural approaches, integrative medicine invites us to combine them intelligently. As healthcare professionals, we have a key role to play in this dynamic, offering personalized, evidence-based support… with an emphasis on prevention.

 

Sources :

Osteoarthritis: Insights into Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Avenues, and the Potential of Natural Extracts. Coppola C, Greco M, Munir A, Musarò D, Quarta S, Massaro M, Lionetto MG, Maffia M. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2024 Apr 29;46(5):4063-4105. doi: 10.3390/cimb46050251.

Comparative efficacy of mind-body exercise for pain, function, quality of life in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Gao K, Tao J, Liang G, Gong C, Wang L, Wang Y.J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 Apr 17;20(1):384. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05682-7.

Mind-body exercises for osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews including 32 meta-analyses.de-la-Casa-Almeida M, Villar-Alises O, Rodríguez Sánchez-Laulhé P, Martinez-Calderon J, Matias-Soto J.Disabil Rehabil. 2024 May;46(9):1699-1707. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2203951.

Short-term manual acupuncture decreased markers of systemic inflammation and altered articular cartilage transcripts in the Dunkin-Hartley model of osteoarthritis. Spittler AP, Bukovec KE, Afzali MF, Leavell SE, Bork SB, Seebart CA, Santangelo KS, Story MR. Am J Vet Res. 2025 Feb 7;86(4):ajvr.24.11.0341. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.24.11.0341. 

Bioactive Compounds in Osteoarthritis: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Roles. Maouche A, Boumediene K, Baugé C. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Oct 30;25(21):11656. doi: 10.3390/ijms252111656.

Role of Plant Materials with Anti-inflammatory Effects in Phytotherapy of Osteoarthritis. Geszke-Moritz M, Nowak G, Moritz M, Feist B, Nycz JE. Curr Top Med Chem. 2025;25(1):35-46. doi: 10.2174/0115680266297662240527105450.

 

Stress: the invisible enemy of fertility?

Stress: the invisible enemy of fertility?

Fertility problems: what if Stress was the invisible enemy?

By Marc Dellière

Under stress, the brain perceives the environment as unsuitable for reproduction.

It then naturally slows down fertility-related processes, as a protective mechanism.

Added to this is a significant psychological impact: the difficulty of conceiving itself becomes a major source of anxiety… which reinforces the blockage.

Chronic stress activates the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, increasing cortisol, which inhibits the HPG (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) axis, key to reproduction. This disrupts sexual hormone production, reducing fertility and impairing ovulation in women and spermatogenesis in men.

In periods of prolonged stress, the body also mobilizes more cholesterol to produce cortisol via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This biological priority mechanism can redirect resources away from the synthesis of other steroid hormones such as DHEA, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Fewer resources are therefore available for fertility, which can contribute to hormonal disorders, reduced libido and irregular cycles in women.

In women

It can lead to ovulation disorders, irregular cycles or even amenorrhea.

Studies have shown that stress can suppress the HPG axis, leading to ovulatory dysfunctions, reduced sexual steroidogenesis (synthesis of steroid hormones, i.e. those originating from cholesterol: gynecological hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and male hormones, testosterone) and reduced fertility in women of childbearing age.

In men

It can reduce sperm quality and quantity.

Psychological stress is associated with reduced sperm concentration, altered sperm morphology and reduced sperm motility. Oxidative stress, linked to an excess of free radicals, also alters gametes DNA, compromising their quality.

Chronic stress also alters sleep quality, disrupting the secretion of leptin (satiety hormone) and ghrelin (hunger hormone), thus contributing to caloric overconsumption. These metabolic disturbances may influence fertility, although the precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

“During our first IVF (in vitro fertilization) attempt, I was overwhelmed by anxiety. I felt like everything depended on this cycle. I controlled everything: the dates, the hormones, the results… But inside, I was in a panic. I couldn’t sleep because of the stress, I often cried for no reason and I took refuge in food. The result was negative. For the second attempt, I started hypnosis coaching to better manage my emotions. I felt calmer, more aligned… and this time, it worked. Today, I’m pregnant. I’m convinced that my psychological state has made a real difference.”

Sophie M., 35

As caregivers, we have a key role to play in breaking the vicious circle between stress and infertility.

Incorporating a holistic approach, focusing on body and mind, not only improves the chances of conception, but also reduces the psychological suffering of patients and those around them.

  • Psychological support
  • Stress management techniques (hypnosis, meditation, CBT)
  • Regular physical activity
  • Appropriate nutrition
  • Support for family and friends or discussion groups

Sources:

Rooney KL, Domar AD. The relationship between stress and infertility. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2018 Mar;20(1):41-47. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/klrooney. 

Kim J, Whitcomb BW, Kwan B, Zava D, Sluss PM, Dietz A, Shliakhtsitsava K, Romero SAD, Natarajan L, Su HI. Psychosocial stress and ovarian function in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Hum Reprod. 2021 Jan 25;36(2):405-414. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deaa313. 

Aitken RJ. Impact of oxidative stress on male and female germ cells: implications for fertility. Reproduction. 2020 Apr;159(4):R189-R201. doi: 10.1530/REP-19-0452. 

Nikolaeva M, Arefieva A, Babayan A, Chagovets V, Kitsilovskaya N, Starodubtseva N, Frankevich V, Kalinina E, Krechetova L, Sukhikh G. Immunoendocrine Markers of Stress in Seminal Plasma at IVF/ICSI Failure: a Preliminary Study. Reprod Sci. 2021 Jan;28(1):144-158. doi: 10.1007/s43032-020-00253-z.

Scollo A, Cotticelli A, Peric T, Perrucci A, Prandi A, Ferrari P. Hair Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA(S)) and Cortisol/DHEA(S) Ratio as Long-Lasting Biomarkers of Clinical Syndromes Exhibited by Piglets Early in Life. Animals (Basel). 2025 Apr 3;15(7):1032. doi: 10.3390/ani15071032.

Gleicher N, Seier K, Kushnir VA, Weghofer A, Wu YG, Wang Q, Albertini DF, Barad DH. Associations between peripheral androgens and cortisol in infertile women. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2016 Apr;158:82-89. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.01.004.

Chimote BN, Chimote NM. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Its Sulfate (DHEA-S) in Mammalian Reproduction: Known Roles and Novel Paradigms. Vitam Horm. 2018;108:223-250. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.02.001.

Water’s Influence on Blood Sugar: Separating Fact from Fiction

Water’s Influence on Blood Sugar: Separating Fact from Fiction

Water is life’s most basic necessity yet; its role in health extends well beyond preventing mere thirst. Scientists now recognize the intricate ways hydration status influences core processes like blood sugar regulation. With metabolic conditions reaching epidemic scales globally, understanding water’s impact on glycemic control becomes pivotal. 

In this blog, we analyze emerging science on water-glucose interactions and debunk common myths about it explaining mechanisms underpinning water’s assistance in blood sugar management. 

Water’s Vital but Variable Role

Water constitutes over 60% of adult body weight with fluid balance crucial for homeostasis. But hydration needs and effects fluctuate significantly based on health state, climate and activities. Water may provide neutral, beneficial or even adverse effects on blood sugar markers depending on individual context.

For example, plain water clearly assists diabetes management as the optimal no-calorie beverage for thirst without spiking glucose or calories. However large volumes can potentially dilute sodium levels dangerously. Meanwhile, dehydration from restricted fluid intake may benefit glycemia control short term but causes detrimental outcomes longer term. 

This variability means definitive conclusions on water-glucose interactions require nuanced evidence-based evaluation. Any universal declarations on water’s impact could propagate as misguided myths lacking context.

Fact or Fiction? Common Water Beliefs for Blood Sugar

Let’s examine some recurring opinions on hydration and blood glucose using latest scientific benchmarks:

“Drinking more water always lowers blood sugar.” 

Fiction. While helpful for most people as a zero-calorie beverage, excess water intake can adversely lower electrolyte levels in diabetics or those on SGLT-2 inhibitors, causing temporary hyperglycemia from medication side effects. Outcomes differ based on individual health conditions.

“Dehydration from low water intake reduces glycemia.” 

Partly Fact. Studies confirm even mild dehydration increases blood glucose and HbA1c levels as hydration state influences glucose homeostasis. Though lowering glucose levels short term when acutely dehydrated, persistent fluid restriction and thirst triggers rebound high blood sugar from stress responses. 

“Increasing water intake reverses insulin resistance.”

Fiction. No evidence proves higher water consumption alone can reverse cellular insulin signaling dysfunctions driving resistance over the long run. However, even mild persistent dehydration worsens insulin resistance. Adequate hydration helps but is not curative.

As we see, declarative statements on water’s universality in managing blood sugar prove overly simplistic. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, with contextual and personalized guidance needed.  A balanced approach is often the answer.

Holistic Approach to Blood Sugar Management: Hydration, Diet, Exercise, and Pep2Dia®

Managing blood sugar levels is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being, particularly for those with diabetes or at risk of developing the condition. While there is no single solution to achieve optimal blood sugar control, a holistic approach that combines several key elements can be highly effective.

One of the most important factors in blood sugar management is staying properly hydrated. Drinking enough water helps to maintain the balance of fluids in the body, which is essential for various physiological processes, including glucose metabolism. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, and more if you engage in physical activity or live in a hot climate.

In addition to hydration, eating a balanced diet is crucial for managing blood sugar levels. Focus on consuming whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats. Avoid sugary drinks and snacks, as well as refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta. Instead, opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which provide sustained energy and help to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Regular physical activity is another key component of a holistic approach to blood sugar management. Exercise helps to improve insulin sensitivity, which allows the body to use glucose more efficiently. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise most days of the week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.

Finally, incorporating a natural supplement like Pep2Dia® into your routine can provide additional support for blood sugar management. Pep2Dia® is a bioactive peptide derived from milk protein that has been clinically shown to help reduce post-meal sugar peaks. By slowing down the absorption of glucose from the gut, Pep2Dia® helps to prevent sharp spikes in blood sugar levels after eating.

When combined, these four elements – hydration, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and Pep2Dia® supplementation – create a powerful, holistic approach to blood sugar management. By addressing the issue from multiple angles, individuals can optimize their glucose metabolism, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce their risk of developing diabetes and related complications.

While each component of this approach is important, it is the synergistic effect of all four elements working together that provides the greatest benefit. By staying hydrated, eating well, exercising regularly, and incorporating Pep2Dia® into their routine, individuals can take control of their blood sugar health and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Pep2Dia®: A New Perspective on Blood Sugar Management

Pep2Dia®: A New Perspective on Blood Sugar Management

Over time, poor diet and lifestyle factors can impair our body’s ability to regulate blood sugar properly. The resulting glucose spikes after carb-heavy meals paired with inadequate insulin trigger a cascade of health issues from stubborn body fat to diabetes down the road.

Rather than resort to synthetic drugs with side effects, nutrition science now provides smarter solutions that work with your body’s natural sugar balancing rhythms. Developed by global dairy ingredients innovator Ingredia, the novel bioactive peptide hydrolysate, Pep2Dia® is clinically demonstrated to help maintain healthy blood sugar fluctuations naturally.

In this article, we’ll explore the science and mechanism behind Pep2Dia’s® efficacy for glycemic support, revealing a breakthrough natural ingredient for one of today’s most pressing health challenges.

The Blood Sugar Balancing Act

Breaking down carbohydrate foods into usable sugar energy requires coordinated hormonal actions. Food digestion releases glucose sugar which triggers insulin secretion to transport energy into cells. Insulin acts as the key allowing glucose to move from blood into tissues to fuel activity.

However, modern diets heavy in processed grains, sugary foods and low fiber cause blood glucose to spike sharply after meals. Meanwhile higher body fat plus sedentary lifestyles induce insulin resistance, blunting sensitivity signals. This makes it harder for insulin to clear excessive blood sugar fast enough.

Over time, the strain of these abnormal sugar and insulin surges leads to inflammatory damage of blood vessels plus organs and metabolic disorders. Early interventions that alleviate these glycemic fluctuations thus prevent downstream issues.

Pep2Dia®- A Multi-Target Peptide Complex

This is where Pep2Dia® comes in – a specialized whey peptide hydrolysate scientifically designed by Ingredia nutrition scientists to influence key regulators that manage healthy blood sugar rises after carb-rich meals. Consisting of several bioactive peptide fractions, Pep2Dia® employs two complementary mechanisms to smooth out glucose spikes gently and naturally, inhibition on alpha glucosidase and effects on GLP-1.

Slows Digestion of Carbs

Pep2Dia® firstly contains an amino acid sequence proven to inhibit alpha-glucosidase, the enzyme that breaks down starch and disaccharides into simple glucose to be absorbed. Temporarily decreasing alpha-glucosidase activity, Pep2Dia® slows digestion of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. This attenuates and prolongs post-meal glucose release into the bloodstream for steadier rises rather than sudden spikes that overwhelm.

Multiple randomized controlled trials verify Pep2Dia’s® efficacy in lowering postprandial glycemia via this mechanism without side effects.

This sets Pep2Dia® apart from single target options like basic alpha-glucosidase inhibitors as a multi-action peptide hydrolysate targeting the entire glucose metabolism cycle – from digestion to uptake and utilization for comprehensive support.

Ingredia: Pioneering Peptide Innovation

What enables game changing solutions like blood sugar optimizing Pep2Dia® is ingredient innovation leader Ingredia’s absolute commitment to science-led advancement in human nutrition.

As pioneers in bioactive dairy peptides, Ingredia combines its deep expertise in precision separation techniques with proprietary enzyme technologies to derive peptide complexes targeted to health priorities like blood sugar balance.

The Future of Blood Sugar Management

Thanks to globally validated solutions like Pep2Dia®, sustainable nutrition science can now smartly leverage food synergies that gently modulate and support, rather than interfere with, the incredible self-regulating capabilities inherent within our body.

By relying on evidence-based food derived supplements purposefully engineered through meticulous bioprocessing to influence intrinsic glycemic pathways, we herald food as medicine 2.0 – where clinically proven ingredients amplify dietary efforts to prevent rather than just manage modern health epidemics.

Pep2Dia’s® arrival thus signals a fundamental shift from prescription drug interventions downstream that often come with adverse effects towards gentle safeguards far upstream bolstering our body’s own capacity for balance as the first line of defense. This DNA marks the next era heralding a new generation of food inspired solutions backed by science that deliver efficacy for real people within ethical parameters.

Through breakthrough bioactives like Pep2Dia®, Ingredia uplifts dairy ingredients from simply nutritional to powerfully therapeutic – restoring metabolic equilibrium gently, daily and decisively so we stay healthy and nourished on our terms.

Dairy’s Role in Mental & Cognitive Health: What You Need to Know

Dairy’s Role in Mental & Cognitive Health: What You Need to Know

Dairy has long been synonymous with bone health thanks to its rich calcium content. But emerging research now spotlights dairy’s unexpected benefits in areas like mental and cognitive wellbeing too.

Components in dairy foods including proteins, vitamins and minerals appear supportive of optimal nervous system functioning while showing protective effects on age-related mental decline. As global demographics shift towards more elderly populations, maintaining sharp cognition for longer through modifiable lifestyle factors like nutrition becomes pivotal.

In this article, we analyze key nutrients and bioactives within dairy that scientifically demonstrate brain and mental boosting properties. We also showcase ingredient leader Ingredia’s custom dairy solutions targeting enhanced cognitive health for all generations.

The Brain Benefits of Dairy

From energetic toddlers to wise seniors, optimal dairy intake correlates with and likely supports aspects of mental acuity across life stages. Here are key research insights on dairy components that influence brain and cognition positively:

Sharper cognition

Multiple studies link greater milk and yogurt intakes to higher scores on memory, alertness and overall cognition tests across adults, teens and the elderly. More dairy fat specifically showed improved immediate recall and attention in children.

Delayed cognitive decline

Higher milk consumption is associated with lowered risks and delayed onset of age-related neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases that gradually diminish mental capacity.

Better nerve conduction

Essential minerals like phosphorus play crucial roles in neuron signaling while vitamins like B12 control homocysteine levels that can otherwise damage nerves. Dairy provides these key nutrients for optimal nerve health.

Enhanced learning & development

Milk proteins contain amino acids like tryptophan that synthesize serotonin neurotransmitters regulating mood, learning and social behaviors. These support cognitive development in early life.

But which unique components generate these cognitive perks? And how can we obtain them easily? Let’s analyze the compounds and mechanisms in play.

Dairy Nutrients Benefiting Cognition

The nutritional richness of dairy spanning proteins, vitamins,healthy fats and micronutrients contributes to diverse aspects of cognitive health, development and aging across life stages:

Brain Building Proteins

Milk proteins provide amino acid building blocks like tryptophan and tyrosine – precursors that synthesize key neurotransmitters essential for focus, alertness and learning capabilities. Whey protein specifically enhances cognition.

Nerve Protecting Vitamins

B vitamins including B12 and B6 support neurological function and nerve cell synthesis. Vitamin A protects against cognitive decline while vitamin D influences hundreds of brain signaling pathways.

Blood Flow Supporting Fats

Healthy medium chain and omega-3 fatty acids in dairy improve blood vessel elasticity and stimulate microcirculation to the brain for improved oxygen/nutrient flow supporting neural transmission.

Antioxidant Minerals

Rich antioxidant minerals like zinc, selenium and iron prevent oxidative damage of brain cells from toxins while phosphorus facilitates nerve signal transmission for sharper mental reflexes and recall.

In totality, the nourishing mix of complete proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals uniquely found in quality dairy combine to nurture mental processes – from growing young minds to preserving cognition in maturing brains.

Ingredia Targets Brain Bioactives

Stress is a major factor that can negatively impact cognitive function, particularly as we age. Chronic stress has been linked to a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Fortunately, global ingredient pioneer Ingredia has developed a unique solution to combat stress and support brain health: Lactium.

Lactium is a patented milk protein hydrolysate that has been clinically proven to reduce stress and promote relaxation. It works by modulating the body’s stress response, helping to lower cortisol levels and improve overall mental well-being. By reducing stress, Lactium may also help to protect against cognitive decline later in life.

Ingredia produces Lactium using advanced separation technology and custom standardization processes. This ensures that the final product is of the highest quality and purity, with optimal concentrations of key bioactive peptides. Lactium can be easily incorporated into a variety of functional food and beverage applications, making it an ideal ingredient for products targeting stress relief and cognitive health.

As global aging trends drive demand for proactive brain health solutions, Ingredia is at the forefront of innovation in this space. By harnessing the power of dairy bioactives like Lactium, Ingredia is helping to unlock the full potential of dairy as a source of cognitive health ingredients. With a deep commitment to R&D and a focus on science-backed solutions, Ingredia is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for effective stress relief and cognitive health products in the years to come.