Collagen supplementation has increased exponentially and has gained increasing attention, however, not all collagen is considered equal. Collagen supplements can come from a variety of sources such as, porcine, bovine, or marine. In addition, there are variations in quality and molecular weight which limit absorption and efficacy.
Collagen is digested in the gastrointestinal tract and mainly broken down into single amino acids and di-peptides and enter the blood stream and accumulate in various tissues depending on the molecular weight.
According to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis published last month in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers investigated the effects of collagen peptide supplementation on cardiovascular disease related biomarkers.
Collagen peptides play essential biological roles including inhibiting the activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), acting as signal messengers in cellular processes in cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, and activating the mTOR signaling pathway.
Over the last decade several clinical investigations targeted the effects of collagen peptides on cardiovascular disease-related markers producing conflicting results.
This review included 12 randomized, placebo-controlled trials published up until November 2021. The dosing ranged from 900 mg per day up to 15 grams per day over a period of 6 to 12 weeks. As a result, the research team demonstrated that collagen peptide supplementation significantly decreased fat mass and increased fat-free mass based on body mass percentage. In addition, collagen peptide supplementation showed a significant reduce in serum LDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. Collagen peptides suppress high blood pressure by inhibiting ACE, activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and decreasing arterial stiffness by increasing nitric oxide. There was no effect on glycemic markers. Collagen peptides have several effects on lipid metabolism as well. It suppresses hepatic protein expression for fatty acid cholesterol synthesis as well a reduction in gene expression of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, and adipocyte protein 2 (aP2).
This review demonstrated that collagen peptide supplementation reduces fat mass, LDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure while increasing fat-free mass.
Other benefits of collagen supplementation include improving skin, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and insulin resistance. It important to use a quality collagen supplement that has research behind it and is a low molecular weight to optimize absorption and efficacy.
By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CNS
Vitamin D and autoimmune conditions
There are over 160 autoimmune diseases, everything from type one diabetes and Hashimoto's thyroiditis to Celiac…
Potassium may help prevent heart and kidney issues in diabetics
According to an article published last month in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), a…
New study demonstrates omega-3 fatty acids promote clearance of beta-amyloid peptides
New research published in The FASEB Journal provides more evidence that fish oil supplementation and an additional…
New study investigates Bacillus subtilis DE111 spore probiotic on lipid metabolism and endothelial function
Emerging research has demonstrated a role of dysbiosis in the gut microbiome and its impact on cardiovascular…
New study investigates the effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression
Depression is a major cause of disease burden worldwide which affects approximately 350 million people. Although…
Vitamin D levels correlate with MS disease severity
A new study out of Iran has found that vitamin D status correlates with severity of multiple sclerosis in Iranian…
New study investigates magnesium intake and older adults in cognitive impairment
Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) are a group of conditions that cause mild cognitive impairment…
N-acetyl-cysteine may improve Parkinson’s disease according to new study
Parkinson's disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than one million Americans each…
N-acetyl-cysteine lowers homocysteine and decreases blood pressure
In a new study just published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers demonstrated that…