Collagen - Positive Benefits

Findings from recent experiments strongly suggest a protective and cartilage-restorative role for collagen hydrolysate. Furthermore clinical studies have suggested a pain-relieving effect on the locomotor system. These findings suggest that collagen hydrolysate may possibly play a role in the prevention and treatment of degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Collagen hydrolysate is obtained by means of enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen. The special characteristic of collagen hydrolysate is its amino acid composition, similar to that of collagen in the cartilage matrix.

Collagen hydrolysate may therefore serve as a building block for the regeneration and synthesis of articular cartilage. Healthy cartilage tissue is subject to a constant turnover with catabolic and anabolic processes. When osteoarthritis is present, cartilage metabolism becomes imbalanced.

Tissue is degenerated faster than it is synthesized. The result: Cartilage is not able to renew itself sufficiently. Reasons for this may be wear and tear occurring with age, obesity, severe mechanical and recurrent stress on joints or dysplasia, to name a few. Due to the specific properties of collagen hydrolysate, an opportunity exists to intervene in the degenerative process of osteoarthritis. Research suggests a protective effect of collagen hydrolysate.

In March 2003, Oesser et al. demonstrated for the first time that collagen hydrolysate stimulates collagen synthesis in cartilage cells (Cell Tissue Res 311:393-399). The enrichment of a chondrocyte cell culture medium with collagen hydrolysate led to a significant, dose-dependent stimulation of collagen synthesis in cartilage cells, that was not detectable in the controls.

Accordingly, degraded collagen hydrolysate fragments stimulate collagen synthesis in a positive feedback mechanism and thus boost the formation of new cartilage tissue. As early on as 1991, Milan Adam, MD published a randomized, double-blind study that involved 81 osteoarthritis patients. Analysis of the results revealed that the pain score in the group treated with collagen hydrolysate dropped by more than 26 percent compared to the control group. The results of this study also formed the basis for a European patent (No 0254289 Agents for the treatment of osteoarthritis).

Studies conducted by the renowned American specialist Roland Moskowitz, MD on 389 patients in the USA, Great Britain and Germany also found a pain-relieving effect from collagen hydrolysate. The patients were able to significantly reduce their consumption of analgesics and reported an improvement in physical function.

Experimental and clinical studies have found that:

Collagen hydrolysate may be an effective nutritional supplement for those suffering from osteoarthritis. The treatment period should not be less than three months. However, as symptoms tend to return after discontinuation of treatment, long-term administration may be prudent. Collagen hydrolysate has no side effects, therefore long-term regular use is safe and may serve as preventive measure. Collagen is not a replacement for presecribed medication. You should always consult with your healthcare practitioner before taking any dietary supplement.