Collagen I, II, III Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and in mammals. It forms fibres in the extracellular matrix, giving shape and mechanical properties to tissues. There are 28 types of collagen in our body, of which the first 3 are the most abundant. Type I collagen is mainly present […]
Targeted Nutrients for Muscle and Energy
Muscles: mobility and stability Our muscles enable us to perform precise movements, maintain balance and posture, and produce heat. To take care of our muscles, which are adaptable throughout our lives, regular, moderate physical training and proper nutrition are essential. Our muscle mass decreases with age and our strength decreases in parallel (1-2% per […]
Nutrients to support brain and vision
Let’s protect our brain The number of functions of our brain is incredible and we use a multitude of them every second of our life (memory, speech, learning, reasoning, autonomous body regulations…). Unfortunately, as we get older, these brain functions diminish. This phenomenon is on the one hand normal, because our cells repair themselves less […]
The functioning of brain and eyes
Parts and functions of the brain The brain works like a big computer. It processes the information it receives through the 5 senses, and sends back messages, conscious and unconscious, to the body. However, the functions of the brain go much further with the ability to think, make decisions and feel emotions. The size of […]
The roles and impact of inflammation
Inflammation is part of the body’s defence mechanism. This response helps the immune system to act in order to eliminate harmful stimuli (for example, pathogens, damaged cells, toxic compounds and radiation) and initiate the healing process, making it an essential survival mechanism. However, over time, inflammation damages healthy tissue and disrupts immune response mechanisms. This […]
Lysine and threonine: essential amino acids important for the connective tissue
Lysine Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means that our body cannot make it and therefore we must obtain it through our nutrition. Lysine increases the absorption of calcium in the intestines and limits its evacuation through the urine, which helps maintain healthy bones. Lysine also promotes healthy blood vessels and smooth muscles and […]
Pomegranate extract rich in ellagic acid, an ally for your skin!
Ellagic acid is a polyphenol found in certain fruits and vegetables, mainly berries, pomegranate and some oilseeds. It is known for its antioxidant properties: it helps eliminate toxins and protects against free radicals. Basically, plants produce this compound as a defense mechanism against infections and parasites. Ellagic acid is a good photo-protector for the skin: […]
The many health properties of gentian and edelweiss
Gentian and edelweiss are alpine plants with many health properties, also for joint and skin health. Gentian Gentian has an analgesic effect that helps to reduce persistent inflammatory pain. It can modulate pain transmission and decrease the expression of certain pain receptors in the brain. This effect on the central nervous system could be due […]
What is MSM ?
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a natural organo-sulphur compound found in certain fruits, vegetables and grains. Nutrients close to MSM can be converted to MSM by intestinal bacteria, but not everyone has these bacteria.1 Taking a dietary supplement containing MSM directly may therefore be the best, safe and well-tolerated option. What are the properties of MSM? Due […]
How does Covid-19 infection work?
We are neither doctors nor virologists, our scientific team is simply trying to summarise research that appears to explain what the Covid-19 infection is and how it works. Is Covid-19 a new virus? Covid-19, also called SARS-CoV-2, belongs to the beta-coronavirus family.1 However, the viruses within this group can vary significantly from one another as […]
Osteoarthritis: causes and effects
What is osteoarthritis? A joint is made up of two (or more) bones, the ends of which are called subchondral bones. The end of each bone is covered in cartilage, which absorbs mechanical shock and is composed of extracellular matrix (type II collagen and aggrecans: hyaluronic acid + chondroitin). The area where the two bones are closest together is […]
Sport in times of coronavirus: a good or bad combination?
It is well known that sport is good for our mental and physical health and increases our life span. However, it seems that intense physical exercise is not advisable in some circumstances, particularly in case of risk of infection. Sport and infection: what are the risks? Sports cardiologist Dr. med Laurent Chevalier emphasizes that the […]
Immune System: how does it work against an infection ?
A short introduction to the function of our immune system What is a pathogen ? Bacteria are organisms constituted of one cell (size in µm: one millionth of a meter) and are able to grow and reproduce. Viruses are smaller (size in nm: one billionth of a meter) and are constituted of an envelope with […]
Let’s boost our immune system
It’s no myth that we get ill more in winter and that the number of deaths rises during the cold months.1 But why? Well, we know that vast numbers of viruses exist, and just as there is a wide variety of plant species, viruses themselves are also very diverse. Plus, they can mutate very quickly. […]
The benefits of taking oral hyaluronic acid
What is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid is one of the main components of the extracellular matrix. It binds with chondroitin and keratan sulphate, and forms crosslinks with collagen fibres. It is a glycosaminoglycan made in the synoviocytes, fibroblasts and chondrocytes, and plays an important role in the biomechanical properties of connective tissue. It has excellent […]
Glucosamine and chondroitin: partners of the extracellular matrix
What are glucosamine and chondroitin? Glucosamine is a monosaccharide that occurs naturally in our bodies. It is the precursor to a number of glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin and keratan sulphate, which in turn make up some important components of the extracellular matrix called aggrecans. Glucosamine can be found in certain foods, but we […]
Joint pain
What is a joint? A joint is the point of connection between two (or more) bones. There are different types of joints, which have varying degrees of mobility. The knee, shoulder, hip and fingers are very movable joints, while the vertebrae are less movable, and the joints of the skull are immovable. The tolerated movements […]
The muscles, pillars of stability
570 skeletal striated muscles Skeletal striated muscles bind bone through tendons. By contracting, they allow the voluntary movement of the skeleton in a specific direction. These contractions are controlled by motor neurons which connect the spinal cord and the muscles. Their activation leads to the release of calcium, which will bind to contractile proteins. Each […]
Collagen is essential … but why?
What is collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and plays a structural role. It is mainly found in connective tissues (skin, bone, cartilage, muscles, vessel walls …). There are 28 types of collagen in our body. All are composed of 3 α chains that form a helix, but each type […]
Manual therapies for back pain
On November 28th and 29th, Swiss Alp Health took part in the Swiss Congress of Manual Medicine SAMM (Schweizerische Ärztegesellschaft für Manuelle Medizin) in Interlaken, as manual therapies and certain dietary supplements work in tandem for the maintenance of mobility. Manipulations in manual therapy According to Dr. Med. Melchior Huggler, a specialist in physical medicine […]