The following is from the gelita-health-initiative.com web site. The GELITA Health Initiative has been set up by the GELITA Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of gelatin to study the restorative effects of collagen hydrolysate on human function.

Role of Collagen Hydrolysate in Cartilage Metabolism & Regeneration

Osteoarthritis already affects nearly 21 million Americans, mostly after age 45. With an expected doubling in the number of people over age 50 by the year 2020, there will be dramatic increases in the prevalence of bone and joint disease. Osteoarthritis is currently incurable.

Clinical studies indicate that nutrition may help protect the health of our joints. It has been shown that supplemental collagen hydrolysate protects and strengthens joint cartilage, and that it has a protective, cartilage-building and pain-reducing effect.

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.

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What is collagen hydrolysate?

Collagen hydrolysate is obtained, by means of enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen (see graphic), the dominant protein in mammals.

The special characteristic of collagen hydrolysate is its amino acids composition, which is 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, for example.

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 in 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 per cent 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 reduce significantly their consumption of analgesics and reported an improvement in physical function.


Experimental and clinical studies have found that:

• collagen hydrolysate stimulates the synthesis of type II collagen in articular cartilage
  
• taking collagen hydrolysate can lead to a significant reduction in pain among osteoarthritis patients
  
• by taking collagen hydrolysate, osteoarthritis patients may be able to reduce their consumption of analgesics
• the physiological functions of the joints improve significantly
  

Summary

Collagen hydrolysate may be an effective nutritional supplement for those suffering from osteoarthritis.

While there are no recommendations on the therapeutic intake of collagen hydrolysate, studies suggest a 10 g daily dose may be beneficial. 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.