How Collagen Affects Inflammation: Collagen for Joint Pain

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body comprising 90% of our connective tissue and 90% of organic bone matrix. By age 21, our body’s collagen supply begins to decline¹, which overtime is the source of joint and bone degradation that lead to arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. Science has shown that oral supplementation with collagen can prevent and reverse the effects of this collagen loss by supporting the rebuilding of our bones and joints. Additionally, collagen has proven benefits in alleviating joint pain and injuries associated with exercise and high impact activities. Clinical trials have shown daily supplementation with collagen can reduce joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation, improve mobility and flexibility, build bone matrix, and speed recovery from injury. Learn more about the uses of collagen for joint pain and collagen inflammation benefits below.

Collagen Benefits for Alleviating Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Increasing collagen in your body through collagen protein supplementation can tackle the root cause of arthritis and osteoarthritis and may help alleviate its symptoms. The root cause of arthritis is inflammation, which triggers a more rapid breakdown of collagen in the extracellular matrix of joint cells. This rapid breakdown of collagen in the joints leads to joint pain, stiffness, and loss of flexibility. Supplementation with collagen has been clinically proven to reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis to help maintain quality of life as we age.

Reduces Joint Pain, Stiffness, and Inflammation
Supplement with collagen powder for joint health can really help! Many clinical studies have shown supplementation with collagen peptides leads to significant reductions in arthritis induced joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. In one trial, patients receiving 5-7 grams of collagen hydrolysate daily for 1-6 months demonstrated a 70% response rate for significant or noticeable improvement in joint pain². In another study, collagen proved 25% more effective in reducing osteoarthritis pain and stiffness compared to other anti-inflammatories such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate³.

Improves Mobility and Flexibility
Another benefit of collagen powder for joints is in improving mobility and flexibility. Studies of arthritis patients supplementing with collagen found that mobility in movements such as knee extension, walking, sitting, and standing improved greatly. Specifically, when measured on a functional index, joint and body flexibility improved and subjects were able to exercise longer before experiencing joint pain⁴.

Collagen Benefits for Activity and Sports Induced Joint Pain and Injuries

Improves Activity – Induced Joint Pain
High impact activities (e.g. running, skiing, HIIT), high intensity sports (e.g. basketball, tennis, soccer), as well as repetitive exercises (e.g. weight lifting, yoga, cycling), all exert stress on joints and can lead to damaged tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. In a study among healthy subjects who experienced activity-related joint pain, supplementation with collagen for joint pain resulted in improved joint function and flexibility after 120 days while exercising and increased duration of exercise before pain was experienced⁵.

Reduces Injury Recovery Time
Research shows collagen synthesis – the body’s production of new collagen molecules – is key to healing connective tissue injuries. Collagen synthesis is heightened for the first three weeks following injury in order to regenerate protein fibers. Type III collagen synthesis reaches maximum rates during the first week after injury in order to regenerate flexibility and plasticity of connective tissue. Type 1 collagen synthesis rates then increase during the next few weeks to strengthen the tissue. Supplementation with collagen hydrolysate ensures the body has a proper supply of both types of collagen to quickly and effectively heal damaged connective tissue⁶.

Collagen Builds Stronger Bones and Teeth

Collagen Builds Bone Matrix
90% of the organic component of our bones is comprised of collagen. Collagen fibers form the protein matrix in our bones while calcium is embedded within this matrix to provide rigidity. Studies show that as we age, our bones can lose 50% of their strength and have a 35% loss in elasticity as a result of collagen loss¹. Any breakdown of bone collagen directly causes a loss of bone strength. Clinical research has also shown that daily supplementation with collagen peptides can increase bone mineral density, especially in calcium-deficient or osteopenic subjects⁷. Bone mineral density is key to preventing bone fractures.

Collagen Strengthens Teeth
Type III collagen is the main protein component of teeth⁸. Collagen loss with age can cause increased tooth sensitivity and decreased tooth strength. Collagen supplementation can help with building stronger teeth.  

Review of Collagen Benefits for Joint Pain and Stiffness and Collagen Inflammation Benefits

• Collagen supplementation can reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis caused by inflammation
• Collagen supplementation can be effective at reducing osteoarthritic pain and stiffness
• Collagen supplementation can improve joint and body flexibility and mobility
• Collagen supplementation can improves activity related joint pain
• Supplementing with collagen helps the body quickly heal damaged tissue and reduces recovery time
• Supplementing with collagen helps to increase bone mineral density which is key to preventing bone fractures
• Collagen supplementation can help to build stronger teeth

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Citations:

1. “Age-related Changes in the Collagen Network and Toughness of Bone.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine.  <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12110404>.

2. “Collagen Hydrolysate for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis and Other Joint Disorders: A Review of the Literature.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Oct. 2006. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17076983>.

3. “Safety and Efficacy of Undenatured Type II Collagen in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Clinical Trial.” International Journal of Medical Sciences. Ivyspring International Publisher <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2764342/>.

4. “Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II®) for Joint Support: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study in Healthy Volunteers.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine,<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24153020>.

5. “24-Week Study on the Use of Collagen Hydrolysate as a Dietary Supplement in Athletes with Activity-related Joint Pain.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18416885>.

6. T, Hurme, Kalimo H, Sandberg M, Lehto M, and Vuorio E. Department of Pathology, Paavo Nurmi Center, University of Turku, Finland.Localization of Type I and III Collagen and Fibronectin Production in Injured Gastrocnemius Muscle.

7. “Osteoblast-related Gene Expression of Bone Marrow Cells during the Osteoblastic Differentiation Induced by Type I Collagen.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11134967>.

8. “Collagen Analysis in Human Tooth Germ Papillae.” Collagen Analysis in Human Tooth Germ Papillae. Brazilian Dental Journal <http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-64402006000300006>.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.