Collagen is the primary protein of connective tissues, and the most abundant protein in humans, accounting for approximately 25% of total protein content (Shenoy et al., 2022). Collagen production decreases significantly with age, leading to conditions such as wrinkled skin, stiff joints, and digestive problems. To combat collagen loss, supplements providing collagen derived from bovine, porcine, chicken, and fish sources are commonly used (Hashim et al., 2015). Bovine bone is the main by-product in the bovine processing industry and has been widely used as a raw material to obtain high-quality gelatin (Song et al., 2017). Bovine collagen supplementation has been found to increase types I and III collagen specifically, the main types of collagens that make up human skin (Song et al., 2017). Additionally, bovine collagen supplementation has shown beneficial effects on joint and bone health in aging populations. This edition highlights four studies involving the benefits of bovine-derived collagen on joint, skin, bone health, and its potential anti-obesity effects. 

Management and amelioration of knee joint osteoarthritis in adults using a novel high-functional bovine collagen peptide as a nutritional therapy: a double-blind, prospective, multicentric, randomized, active and placebo controlled, five-arm clinical study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability   

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, resulting in inflammation, pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, ultimately diminishing overall quality of life. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of high-functional bovine collagen peptides (CP) as a nutritional therapy in the management of knee joint OA in adults. High-functional bovine CP (type J bovine CP) were manufactured to have enhanced levels of active dipeptides, proline-hydroxyproline (PO) and hydroxyproline-glycine (OG) compared to conventional bovine CP. A total of one hundred adults aged 30-65 years with confirmed diagnoses or a known history of OA, and with a moderately active lifestyle were randomized to consume daily either 1) 2.5 g type J bovine CP, 2) 5 g type J bovine CP, 3) 10 g type J bovine CP, 4) 10 g conventional bovine CP, or 5) 10 g of a placebo, for a duration of 90 days. The Western Ontario McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score, pain scale, quality of life (QoL) was evaluated alongside clinical improvements assessed by a physician using x-ray. Additionally, C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) was measured to assess collagen degradation, while safety assessments, including complete blood count, liver function and renal function tests, were conducted. Measurements were taken at baseline, day 30, 60 and 90 of supplementation. The results demonstrated that 2.5 g/day of type J bovine CP supplementation led to significantly improved WOMAC, QoL, CTX-II, and x-ray images of the knee OA, and these improvements were equivalent to the changes observed following 10 g/day of supplementation with conventional CP for 90 days. This current study showed that oral supplementation of bovine CPs is a potential supportive strategy in managing OA. Furthermore, oral supplementation with type J bovine CPs, which have high PO and OG content, has been shown to reduce OA symptoms at a lower dose level than conventional bovine CP. It has been proven to be safe, provide symptomatic relief, and improve functional capacity and QoL of individuals with knee joint OA.  

Access to the study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11520019/ 

Reference: Devasia, S., Joseph, J.T., Stephena, P.S., Koizumi, S., Clarke, L., Sriraam, V.T., Kailas, A.P., & Madhavan, S. (2024). Management and amelioration of knee joint osteoarthritis in adults using a novel high-functional bovine collagen peptide as a nutritional therapy: a double-blind, prospective, multicentric, randomized, active and placebo controlled, five-arm, clinical study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Cartilage, 15(4):363-374. doi: 10.1177/19476035231221211 

Anti-obesity effects of a collagen with low digestibility and high swelling capacity: a human randomized control trial 

Obesity is a multifactorial disease, considered an epidemic of the 21st century. Factors such as poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to excessive body weight and comorbidities. Previous studies have demonstrated improvements in body composition and strength following collagen peptide supplementation when paired with resistance training. This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-obesity effect of bovine collagen that has been technologically treated to enhance its water retention capacity in an acidic pH medium, to ultimately induce satiety. Specifically, this randomized controlled trial allocated sixty-four adults with overweight or obesity to either consume two protein bars enriched with bovine collagen (20 g/day), or a placebo, for a duration of 12 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements including weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, sarcopenic index, blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and fatty liver index (FLI) were all assessed for all participants at baseline and at week 8 and 12 following the intervention. The bovine collagen supplementation led to significantly reduced body weight, BMI, systolic blood pressure, and fatty liver index, and an increased fat-free mass when compared to the control group. Additionally, a significant reduction in the sarcopenic index, total troncular, and visceral fat (measured by DEXA), and serum leptin levels were observed in the bovine collagen group at the end of the trial, with no differences observed from baseline in the control group. Bovine collagen supplementation also reduced the sensation of hunger while increasing feelings of fullness and satisfaction. Overall, 20 g/day of bovine collagen supplementation reduced body weight, BMI, fat mass, systolic blood pressure, and FLI, and improved measures of satiety in obese and overweight adults, demonstrating its potential in obesity management.  

Access to this study: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203550 

Reference: Lopez-Yoldi, M., Riezu-Boj, J.I., Abete, I., Ibero-Baraibar, I., Aranaz, P., Gonzalez-Salazar, I., Izco, J.M., Recalde, J.I., Gonzalez-Navarro, C.J., Milagro, F.I., & Zulet, M.A. (2024). Anti-obesity effects of a collagen with low digestibility and high swelling capacity: a human randomized control trial. Nutrients, 16(20), 3550. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203550 

A collagen supplement improves skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, blind study 

Collagen, the most abundant component of the extracellular matrix, determines skin physiology and plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin structure and enabling its numerous functions including retaining water and supporting a strong extracellular matrix. Studies have shown that age-dependent reductions in collagen synthesis may be reversed through the oral administration of specific bioactive collagen peptides. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study, the effects of a nutraceutical drink containing 2.5 grams of bovine collagen, along with a complex of fruit extract, vitamin C, zinc, biotin, and vitamin E were investigated for their impact on skin aging and health. Specifically, seventy-two healthy females aged 35 years or older received the bovine collagen nutraceutical drink, or a placebo drink to consume daily for a duration of 12-weeks. A skin assessment was conducted based on objective validated methods including corneometry (skin hydration), cutometry (elasticity), silicon skin replicas with optical 3D phase-shift rapid in-vivo measurements (roughness), and skin sonography (density) at baseline, and 12-weeks. Participants in the treatment group were monitored for an additional four weeks after the treatment phase to evaluate the sustainability of the changes induced by the test product. The nutraceutical product containing bovine collagen significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density, compared to the placebo group. Additionally, positive effects were substantially retained during the follow-up period. This study demonstrates the significant and long-lasting positive effects of collagen peptides with additional nutrients on parameters of skin health.  

Access to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31627309/ 

Reference: Bolke, L., Schlippe, G., Gerb, J., & Voss, W. (2019). A collagen supplement improves skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, blind study. Nutrients, 11(10): 2494.  doi: 10.3390/nu11102494. 

Specific collagen peptides improve bone mineral density and bone markers in postmenopausal women – a randomized controlled study 

The etiology of osteoporosis includes a lack of physical activity, malnutrition, underlying diseases, drug ingestion, and non-modifiable factors such as age, gender, and familiar predisposition. Osteoporosis disproportionally affects females, with an estimated one-third of females over the age of 50 sustaining an osteoporosis-related bone fracture, compared to one-fifth of males. This randomized, controlled study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-month daily oral administration of 5 grams of specific collagen peptides (SCP; FORTIBONE®, sourced from bovine bones) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with primary, age-related BMD reductions, compared to a placebo. A total of 102 postmenopausal women were enrolled, and BMD of the femoral neck and spine were assessed at baseline and at months 3, 6, and 12 following the intervention period. Additionally, changes in bone metabolism were assessed, specifically plasma levels of bone markers, amino-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP), a bone formation marker and C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX 1), a bone degradation marker. The findings of this study revealed significantly increased BMD of the spine and femoral neck following SCP supplementation compared to the control group, and significant increases in P1NP following the intervention whereas in the control group, CTX 1 significantly increased. Considering the decrease in BMD in the control group, participants in the SCP group showed a 4.2% higher BMD in the spine, and a 7.7% higher BMD in the femoral neck, suggesting a clinically relevant effect of the 12-month treatment. Overall, the supplementation of SCP demonstrates protective effects on osteoporosis development and progression, resulting in increased BMD and a favourable shift in bone markers, indicating increased bone formation and reduced bone degradation in postmenopausal women. 

Access to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29337906/ 

Reference: Konig, D., Oesser, S., Scharla, S., Zdzieblik, D., & Gollhofter, A. (2018). Specific collagen peptides improve bone mineral density and bone markers in postmenopausal women – a randomized controlled study. Nutrients, 16(10), 97.  doi: 10.3390/nu10010097. 

Bottom Line 

The impact of aging on the appearance and function of skin, and overall health of bones, joints, and muscles has become an area of interest in recent decades. The use of dietary supplements to improve symptoms of aging have garnered attention, where collagen supplementation specifically may be utilized in nutraceuticals and functional foods due to its bioactive, bioavailable and biocompatible components. Bovine bone is an abundant and high-quality raw material used to prepare collagen peptides, leading to beneficial effects on bone metabolism, including inhibiting bone mineral density loss and improving osteoarthritis (Song et al., 2017). Studies have demonstrated clinically significant effects of supplementing bovine collagen, not just on bone and joint health, but improved skin health parameters, and demonstrated potential in obesity management. Overall, the growing body of research highlights bovine collagen’s promising role in promoting musculoskeletal health, enhancing skin integrity, and supporting metabolic wellness, making it a valuable component in the field of healthy aging. 

References 

Shenoy, M., Abdul, N.S., Qamar, Z., Al Bahri, B.M., Al Ghalayini, K.Z., & Kakti, A. (2022). Collagen structure, synthesis, and its applications: a systematic review. Cureus, 14(5), e24856. doi:10.7759/cureus.24856 

Song, H., Zhang, S., Zhang, L., & Li, B. (2017). Effect of orally administered collagen peptides from bovine bone on skin aging in chronologically aged mice. Nutrients, 9(11). 1209. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111209 

Hashim, P., Mohd Ridzwan, M.S., Bakar, J., & Hashim, M.D. (2015). Collagen in food and beverage industries. International Food Research Journal, 22(1), 1-8. http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/36110