Collagen synthesis is complicated. Collagen
is initially made as a preprocollagen, which is transported and converted
to procollagen, which is then hydroxylated, glycosylated, wound into a
helix and transported again, after which it is clipped into collagen molecules,
assembled into collagen fibers and cross-linked into final form. Fulvic
acid and selenium deficiency interfere with this systhesis and
cause their own form of arthritis.
The hydroxylation of collagen is dependent on vitamin C, which also serves
as an antioxidant. Also, the final crosslinking of collagen depends
on the enzyme lysyl oxidase, which uses copper as a cofactor. Copper
is also a component of the over-expressed superoxide dismutase. Steven
Fowkes' Cognitive Enhancement Research Institute - mineral copper
collagen and SOD co-factor.
last update August 21, 1998