Connective tissues connect the body together. Healthy connective tissue reflects in smooth skin, strong muscles, strong bone matrix, and healthy amounts of cartilage in joints. It is an unappreciated property of youth and, usually, is not appreciated fully until it is gone. Healthy connective tissue is the focus of much, if not most, of the “anti-aging” health promotion. Plastic surgery, joint replacements and literally hundreds of magic creams all promise the hope of the vibrant return of healthy connective tissue. As is usual in most things health-related, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure if preservation or restoration of healthy connective tissue is your goal.

Connective tissues comprise a large branch of the structural proteins of the body. Composed of proteins, amino acids, and other compounds such as glucosamine and hyaluronic acid, their strength reflects the balance of bodily protein. Alternatively, imbalances in other basic physiologic processes will result in weakened connective tissues. Thus, increased acid stress, inflammation, toxicity, and anaerobic metabolism will all undermine the strength of the connective tissues.

Connective tissue that is infirm forms an atmosphere for latent bacterial infection. Small amounts of bacteria can survive in a latent state in connective tissue and cause smoldering destruction with the possibility of erupting into a larger ‘fire’ in the future. Weakened connective tissues mean a structurally weak body. One of the body’s major responses to structural weakness is to put down calcium. The calcium acts to strengthen tissues, like putting a structural reinforcement in a weakened building. And, the body uses protein from the connective tissues to supply amino acids in times of protein deficiency.

As with all of the homeostatic processes, there are multiple detectors that reflect the balance or imbalance of the connective tissues. Many of these are obvious such as X-rays and CT Scans. However, it is the more subtle parameters of chemistry that can warn an individual if their connective tissue is under attack.