The intervertebral disc, which sits between vertebrae, is composed of an outer fibrous basket (
annulus fibrosus) made of 70 % collagen and an inner gel - like layer called the nucleus pulposus.
The cut surface of the disk shows the central soft nucleus pulposus and the tougher
annulus fibrosus surrounding it.
As the disk is compressed by the normal forces between the vertebrae,
the annulus fibrosus bulges upwards and puts pressure on the spinal cord more slowly.
Here the degeneration is slower and the fibers of
the annulus fibrosus become soft.
The dorsal (top) of
the annulus fibrosus is thinner than the rest of
the annulus fibrosus.
In dogs that herniate (or «slip») a disk, the nucleus pulposus extrudes dorsally from
the annulus fibrosus and may forcibly strike the spinal cord and / or compress the spinal cord.
Chlorella together with other supplements and herbal remedies will slowly rebuild
the annulus fibrosus which is the key cause of the herniated disc.
The forces are instead transferred non-uniformly to the surrounding
annulus fibrosus [outer protective layer]» (2), which can lead to progressive structural deterioration, disk herniation and pain.