In this section
Questions on the positive effects of collagen hydrolysate
- Why take a collagen hydrolysate supplement?
- How quickly will I notice a difference?
- Why is collagen hydrolysate specifically important for cartilage in comparison to other proteins?
- Does collagen hydrolysate have any other benefits?
- Which persons can benefit from collagen hydrolysate?
Basic questions on collagen and collagen hydrolysate
- What is cartilage?
- What is collagen?
- What types of collagen exist?
- What is collagen hydrolysate?
- What is the difference between collagen, collagen hydrolysate and gelatine?
Questions on the production of collagen hydrolysate
- When was the beneficial effect of collagen hydrolysate first discovered?
- Has there been any research done on collagen hydrolysate?
- What are the most important studies on collagen hydrolysate?
- How is collagen hydrolysate absorbed and how does it reach the cartilage?
- What effects has collagen hydrolysate in cartilage?
Questions on the positive effects of collagen hydrolysate
- Why take a collagen hydrolysate supplement?
- How quickly will I notice a difference?
- Why is collagen hydrolysate specifically important for cartilage in comparison to other proteins?
- Does collagen hydrolysate have any other benefits?
- Which persons can benefit from collagen hydrolysate?
Questions on the administration of collagen hydrolysate
- How is collagen hydrolysate taken?
- How long will I need to take collagen hydrolysate?
- Can I take it when I am on other medication?
Questions on R&D
When was the beneficial effect of collagen hydrolysate first discovered?
In the middle ages Saint Hildegard of Bingen (12th century; 1098-1179) described the beneficial effect of calf cartilage broth on joint pain.
Since 1980 scientists of different medical disciplines have strengthened their R&D activities in the field of both cartilage metabolism and the effect of collagen hydrolysate on joint health.
Has there been any research done on collagen hydrolysate?
There have been medical observations, key laboratory and clinical studies carried out over the past 20 years by internationally leading experts of different medical disciplines.
All clinical studies reveal positive effects of collagen hydrolysate on joint health, especially on osteoarthritis, for example:
- Significant reduction of pain
- Reduced need for analgesics
- Improvement of joint mobility
In 1986, the beneficial effect of collagen hydrolysate on osteoarthritis was patented (European patent No 0254289 Agents for the treatment of osteoarthritis).
In spring 2003 Oesser et al published a laboratory study that could explain the potential basic mechanism of the clinical observations. Scientists were able to demonstrate that collagen hydrolysate stimulates collagen synthesis in cartilage cells (chondrocytes).
What are the most important studies on collagen hydrolysate?
Furthermore Prof. Roland Moskowitz, Director of the Arthritis Research Institute, Cleveland/USA conducted an international study (USA; UK; Germany) with 390 patients suffering from osteoarthritis.
The most extensive research was carried out by Prof. Milan Adam, Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Prague, which led to the issue of a European patent, No 0254289 Agents for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Both studies reveal the positive effects of collagen hydrolysate on joint health, especially on osteoarthritis.
Dr Steffen Oesser, physiologist at the University of Kiel, Germany published key studies on cartilage metabolism and regeneration; his latest publication (Cell & Tissue Research 311: 393-9; March 2003) demonstrates the stimulatory effect of collagen hydrolysate on collagen biosynthesis.
How is collagen hydrolysate absorbed and how does it reach the cartilage?
Oesser et al. (Journal of Nutrition 129: 1891-95; 1999) conducted experiments with isolated segments of the intestine which have shown that collagen fragments can pass through the intestinal wall (10-15% of these proteins; in a high molecular form of up to 50kD) and reach the blood stream. Accumulation of radio-labelled collagen hydrolysate can subsequently be seen in cartilage.
What effects has collagen hydrolysate in cartilage?
Latest experiments by Oesser et al (Cell & Tissue Research 311:393-9; March 2003) demonstrated that collagen hydrolysate stimulates collagen biosynthesis in chondrocytes (cartilage cells). The presence of collagen hydrolysate leads to dose-dependent increase of collagen type II.
