NutraConnect KEY INGREDIENTS aggrecan. Chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid are GAGs, building blocks of aggrecan. GAGs are essential components for maintai- ning a cushioned and lubricated environment allowing for easy joint movement. This duo is responsible for pro- tecting and supporting the hyaline cartilage that keeps our joints wor- king the way we want them to. New insights on the most common joint problem, osteoarthritis The most common chronic condition of the joint is osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease or ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. OA patients suffer pain, swelling, tenderness and warmth in the joints. Tra- ditionally, OA was seen as an inevitable consequence of cartilage wear and tear. Today, researchers and medical doctors acknowledge that a (local) inflammation of the joint is a key driver of the disease.3 The breakdown of cartilage matrix triggers an inflammation in the carti- lage, the synovial membrane and even the underlying bone. The tissues release inflammatory mediators, pro-inflammatory cytokines, that accele- rate the breakdown of cartilage matrix. The matrix breakdown products for their part attract inflammatory cells to the joint, driving the inflammation forward.4 The joint inflammation leads to an increased volume of joint fluid. This causes joint swelling, damages cartilage and bone, and may result in muscle loss. Nerves in the joints are activated, causing pain. The inflam- matory cytokines may also directly activate pain receptors, worsening the pain.5