The intervertebral discs (Discus intervertebralis) consist of two parts: the outer fibrous
ring called the annulus fibrosus and the inner jelly-like center called the nucleus pulposus.

Annulus fibrosus

The annulus fibrosus has an outer and inner area. The outer area is a high tensile strength of connective tissue, whose crosswise fiber system connects two adjacent vertebrae. The inner area of the annulus fibrosus consists of fibro-cartilaginous tissue
with collagen fibers that extend into the hyaline cartilage surfaces of the vertebrae.
The annulus fibrosus provides the intervertebral disc with the necessary stability. The collagenous connective tissue is generally flexible and elastic under pressure, but it has no blood vessels, limiting its ability to regenerate. Major damage to the annulus fibrosus can therefore only be treated surgically.

Nucleus pulposus

Inside the annulus fibrosus is the nucleus pulposus, which consists of 80-85% part water. The annulus fibrosus forms a closed casing to this "water cushion", which therefore is not compressible. Shocks by walking, running, jumping or even driving are cushioned. The acting forces on the "cushion" are diverted to the outer ring (annulus fibrosus) and the adjacent muscles. Mechanically speaking, the intervertebral disc is a hydrostatic and pressure elastic system.

1.   Spinal cord 2.   Nucleus pulposus       (inner jelly-like center)   Hyaluronic acid   Proteoglykans (Glucosamine)   L-Lysine   Vitamin C 3.   Annulus fibrosus       (outer fibrous ring)   Collagen   Silicic acid (Bamboo extract)   L-Lysine   Vitamin C 4.   Vertebrae

Weak points of the intervertebral discs

As age progresses the discs wear out rapidly. The nucleus pulposus loses its matrix of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans. As it dries out the center’s volume becomes smaller and the vertebrae approach each other. The cushioning function of the discs get lost –
the result is wear and tear of the spinal joints and subsequently pain. The probability
of a herniated disc is high. In which case, parts of the intervertebral disc get into the spinal canal and press onto the spinal cord.

The reason for the weakness of the spinal disc is often a deficiency in supplying the necessary nutrients. vertebene® disc capsules help to compensate for such deficiency:

Storing more liquid in the nucleus pulposus:

Hyaluronic acid, Proteoglykans in the form of glucosamine, L-Lysine and Vitamin C

Strenghtening the annulus fibrosus:

Collagen, Silicic acid (from Bamboo extract), L-Lysine und Vitamin C