| Basic questions on collagen and collagen hydrolysate |
| What is cartilage? |
Cartilage is a tough, flexible tissue, that consists of chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and an extra cellular matrix (ECM).
The ECM contains two major components: Collagen (approx. 70%) and proteoglycans (approx. 25%).
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| What is collagen? |
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human and animal body representing 30% of total body protein. Collagen gives the structure to tendons, cartilage tissue, bones, and connective tissue.
The collagen molecule is formed by 3 intertwined protein chains building a triple helix structure (with a molecular weight of ~300 kD). The triple helix structure of collagen is responsible for the strength and flexibility of cartilage tissue.
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| What types of collagen exist? |
Classical type I collagen occurs in skin and bone and is used for the production of collagen hydrolysate and gelatine.
Type II collagen occurs almost exclusively in cartilage tissue.
Type III collagen occurs in addition to type I in skin.
Type IV collagen is a component of membranes.
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| What is collagen hydrolysate? |
Collagen hydrolysate is collagen (from skin, bone, cartilage) broken down by a natural process (hydrolysis) to facilitate easy absorption into the blood stream.
Collagen hydrolysate stimulates collagen synthesis, as proven by a laboratory study by Oesser et al. (Cell & Tissue Research 311:393-9; March 2003)
Clinical studies with patients suffering from osteoarthritis revealed the positive effect of collagen hydrolysate on joint health (e.g. pain reduction, reduced medication, improved physical function).
Collagen hydrolysate received GRAS status (generally recognized as safe) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Due to its special production process collagen hydrolysate does not gel and is soluble in cold water.
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| What is the difference between collagen, collagen hydrolysate and gelatine? |
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human and animal body representing 30% of total body protein. Collagen gives structure to tendons, cartilage tissue, bones and, connective tissue.
Gelatine is produced from collagen. It has gelling properties and is used in the food industry (e.g. as emulsifier, gel-former, taste and color enhancer), in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. for capsules, as blood replacement, agent for vitamin coating) and in the photo industry (e.g. as basis of film and photographic paper).
Collagen hydrolysate is also produced from collagen but by a different process. The amino acid compositions of collagen and collagen hydrolysate are very similar. Research has shown that collagen hydrolysate stimulates collagen synthesis in joint cartilage: this effect was proven by a laboratory study by Oesser et al. (Cell & Tissue Research 311:393-9; March 2003).
Clinical studies with patients suffering from osteoarthritis revealed the positive effect of collagen hydrolysate on joint health (e.g. pain reduction, reduced medication, improved physical function).
Collagen hydrolysate received GRAS status (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Due to its special production process collagen hydrolysate does not gel and is soluble in cold water.
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| Questions on the production of collagen hydrolysate |
| What raw material does GELITA use? |
Pigskin, hide spilt and bone chips are the raw materials of collagen hydrolysate. Collagen hydrolysate is manufactured by using only selected raw material from healthy animals that have been approved by the veterinary authorities for human consumption.
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| How is collagen hydrolysate produced? |
Pigskin, hide spilt and bone chips are the raw materials of collagen hydrolysate. Collagen hydrolysate is extracted from this raw material using a multi-stage enzymatic extraction process; it is then purified, concentrated, sterilized and dried. This results in cold water soluble powder of collagen hydrolysate.
PICTURE
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| Questions on R&D |
| Has there been any research done on collagen hydrolysate? |
There have been medical observations, key laboratory and clinical studies on the effect of collagen hydrolysate on joint health carried out over the past 20 years by international 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).
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| What are the most important studies on collagen hydrolysate? |
Dr 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. This latest publication (Cell & Tissue Research 311:393-9; March 2003) demonstrates the stimulatory effect of collagen hydrolysate on collagen biosynthesis.
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| 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 show that collagen fragments can pass through the intestinal wall (10-15% of these proteins; in a high molecular form of up to 50 kD) and reach the blood stream. Accumulation of radio-labeled collagen hydrolysate can subsequently be seen in cartilage.
PICTURE
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| What effects does collagen hydrolysate have in cartilage? |
Experiments by Oesser et al (Cell & Tissue Research 311:393-9; 2003) demonstrated that collagen hydrolysate stimulates collagen biosynthesis in chondrocytes (cartilage cells). The presence of collagen hydrolysate leads to dose-dependent increase of type II collagen.
PICTURE
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| Questions on the positive effects of collagen hydrolysate |
| Why take a collagen hydrolysate supplement? |
The stress placed on our joints means that they are prone to damage in the longer term. Cartilage is worn out and sometimes even lost. Unfortunately the body is sometimes unable to produce sufficient new cartilage to counteract this loss. Collagen hydrolysate stimulates the synthesis of cartilage mass.
Collagen hydrolysate is used as nutritional supplement for the prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis.
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| How quickly will I notice a difference? |
Acute pain, morning stiffness and restriction of articular function are symptoms of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. Patients taking 10 grams of collagen hydrolysate per day see significant improvements after 6 to 12 weeks.
If taken preventatively, 10 grams of collagen hydrolysate per day will reduce the risk of degenerative disorders.
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| Does collagen hydrolysate have any other benefits? |
In addition to improving joint mobility people have reported a gain in hair thickness and quality of skin and nails.
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| Who can benefit from collagen hydrolysate? |
Collagen hydrolysate is an ideal nutritional supplement for anyone wanting to stay fit and well or who want to reduce the risk of degenerative joint disease by constitutional nutrition. Collagen hydrolysate plays an important role for use in individuals at risk for development of joint degeneration. Such at-risk populations include older individuals, particularly those individuals ages 50 years and older; individuals who are overweight; individuals whose occupational activities predispose to osteoarthritis, including jobs involving repeated knee-bending (e.g. carpenters, floor layers, and painters), textile workers, miners and dock workers; individuals participating in extensive non-occupational physical activities including recreational runners/walkers, cyclists, gardeners, soccer/football players; individuals with a past history of significant joint injury such as fracture or ligamentous injury; and individuals with a family history suggesting a genetic predisposition of to osteoarthritis.
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| Questions on the administration of collagen hydrolysate |
| How is collagen hydrolysate taken? |
10 g of collagen hydrolysate should be taken daily over a period of at least three months. It is commercially available as ready-to-use liquid products e.g. drinks with different flavors, as capsules or as water-soluble powder-mix with vitamins and other ingredients.
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| How long will I need to take collagen hydrolysate? |
Experts recommend a daily intake of 10 grams of collagen hydrolysate for at least three months. Symptoms will likely return if you discontinue taking collagen hydrolysate.
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| In which form can I buy collagen hydrolysate? |
Ready-to-use liquid products like drinks with different flavors, cold water soluble powder and capsules are commercially available.
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| Can I take it when I am on other medication? |
Yes, since collagen hydrolysate is a food and not a pharmaceutical drug, there are no contraindications or side effects.
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| Questions on the safety of collagen hydrolysate |
| How safe is collagen hydrolysate? |
Several international studies have demonstrated the safety of collagen hydrolysate due to its production process with respect to contaminations or any other infections present. In 1999, the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status for collagen and its hydrolysated form.
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| Are there any side effects of taking collagen hydrolysate? |
Collagen hydrolysate is a food and not a pharmaceutical drug. It has a strong safety profile: Extensive studies demonstrate no significant side effects: in very rare cases diarrhea or flatulence were observed.
Collagen hydrolysate is neither a mutagen nor a toxic substance nor a teratogen.
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| Questions on osteoarthritis |
| What is osteoarthritis? |
Osteoarthritis is primarily a non-inflammatory disorder of movable joints characterized by an imbalance between the synthesis and degradation of the articular cartilage. This leads to the classic pathologic changes of wearing away and destruction of cartilage.
In spite of decades of extensive research, there is still no cure for osteoarthritis. Analgesics and anti-rheumatics only relieve pain or suppress the inflammation process.
Degenerative joint diseases are widespread among the population:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current decade as “Bone and Joint Decade” (2000-2010)
- Bone and joint diseases affect hundreds of millions of patients throughout the world and are the leading cause of pain and disability.
- Osteoarthritis accounts for half of all chronic conditions in persons aged over 65. Some 25 % of people over the age of 60 have significant pain and disability from osteoarthritis. The economic consequences of osteoarthritis are enormous - it is rated the highest cause of work loss in USA, as well as being a condition that causes most problems for people after retirement age. (Source Bone and Joint Decade / WHO)
- Doctors believe osteoarthritis affects around 39 million Europeans – a figure that is expected to nearly double by 2020
- In Germany, more than 10 million people suffer from degenerative diseases; nearly 1 in 2 35 year olds show early signs of osteoarthritis
- In Germany, osteoarthritis causes socio-economic costs up to € 8 billions per year, in the United States more than 33 billions US Dollars (direct and indirect costs). Source: Rheumaforschungsdienst, Dt. Rheumaliga
High standards of living, insufficient exercise, reduced physical activity and inadequate nutrition contribute to reduced resistance of connective tissue which results in irreparable degenerative diseases and increased suffering.
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| What is the standard therapy for osteoarthritis? |
In spite of decades of extensive research osteoarthritis cannot be cured. Analgesics and anti-rheumatics only relieve pain or suppress the inflammation process and may have undesirable side effects. Therefore every new hope for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis must be carefully examined.
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| Questions on GELITA / GELITA Health Initiative |
| Who is GELITA / GELITA Health Initiative? |
GELITA, headquartered in Eberbach, Germany, is the world market leader in the production of gelatine and collagen hydrolysate with subsidiaries on every continent and over 2,800 employees worldwide.
In the late seventies, GELITA started supporting R&D activities on collagen hydrolysate and its beneficial benefits on joint health.
To generate new insight and to extend knowledge, GELITA founded the GELITA Health Initiative.
The GELITA Health Initiative is the competent partner for all questions related to joint and bone health and collagen hydrolysate.
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