While milk itself doesn't directly "repair" cartilage in the way a broken bone heals, some components found in milk, specifically milk-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), show promising protective effects on cartilage.
Milk's Potential Role in Cartilage Health
Recent research suggests that milk-derived EVs can play a role in supporting cartilage health by:
- Limiting catabolic processes: These are processes that break down cartilage tissue.
- Reducing inflammation: Inflammation can damage cartilage, and milk-derived EVs appear to help mitigate this.
How Milk-Derived EVs Work
The protective mechanisms of these EVs are believed to stem from the following:
- Transfer of miR-148a: Milk-derived EVs can transfer specific molecules, such as miR-148a, into cartilage cells (chondrocytes). This molecule is thought to have a role in helping maintain cartilage health.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Milk EVs | Tiny vesicles released by milk, containing molecules like miR-148a |
| miR-148a | Molecule that may be transferred to cartilage cells for protection |
| Catabolic Processes | Processes that break down cartilage tissue |
| Inflammation | A damaging process for cartilage |
Important Note
It is important to note that while milk-derived extracellular vesicles may contribute to cartilage protection, it is not a direct cartilage repair method. The research suggests a protective effect against cartilage breakdown and inflammation rather than a direct reversal of existing damage.
