The present invention provides a food product composition for improving cartilage functions useful for prevention and treatment of a variety of joint diseases. The present invention also provides a drink or food product for improving cartilage functions, a nutritive composition for improving cartilage functions, and a livestock food for improving cartilage functions, these products comprising the food product composition for improving cartilage functions. The food product composition for improving cartilage functions comprises at least one effective ingredient selected from the group consisting of lactoperoxidase, cystatin, HMG-like protein, and/or degraded products thereof. Since the food product composition for improving cartilage functions according to the present invention can be daily ingested with safety for a long time and has a noticeable effect of repairing or regenerating deformed or lost cartilages, the food product composition is useful for prevention and treatment of a variety of joint diseases.
