New evidence of the benefits of collagen for joints

New evidence of the benefits of collagen for joints

The benefits of collagen for joints are lauded throughout the collagen industry. You will find various articles about them elsewhere on this blog. Nevertheless, there are people who questions its effectiveness. The traditional view is that there is nothing we can do to strengthen joint tissues. But new evidence from a recent study indicates that collagen may actually help improve tendon strength.

In this post, we will look at the study and explore how collagen helps with joint health.

What is the general perception of joint tissues?

The traditional point of view is that we cannot strengthen our tendons like we do our muscles. As soon as a fibre in your tendons or ligaments becomes damaged, that damage will forever be a problem. Athletes struggle with tendons throughout their careers. These tissues are vulnerable to wear and tear and it’s very difficult to strengthen them.

But, in recent years, there has been a growing body of evidence to the contrary. The theory is that, since tendons and ligaments are primarily composed of collagen, they can be strengthened. Key components of these tissues include the amino acid proline. Thus, by ramping up your supply of this (and other important amino acids) you could improve the repair and synthesis of new collagen in your joints. This is where collagen for joints comes in.

Collagen for joints: a new study

The driving force of this thinking has been molecular biologist Keith Baar and his collaborators. But their work was hampered by the pandemic. However, a recent study published in Frontiers in Physiology is making waves in this school of thought.

The work comes from a group led by Robert Erskine at Liverpool John Moores University. It involved elite female football players and discovered that taking collagen supplements just three times a week led to improved tendon stiffness. 17 players took part in the study, all members of an under-21 professional team. Half of them were given 30g of hydrolysed collagen, which they took 3 times a week immediately after training. The other half had a calorie-matched placebo drink. Both groups also took 500mg of vitamin C as part of the study.

After 10 weeks, the participants’ tendons were measured using ultrasound and strength tests. The group taking the collagen supplements showed an increase in tendon stiffness. This is a good thing. Consider an elastic band – the stiffer it is, the less likely it is to break when stretched. Experts equate stiff tendons with better running economy and improved resistance to injury. The evidence from the study showed no change in the size of the tendon. This suggests that the extra collagen brought about improvements to the microscopic structure of the tendon.

Enhancing the benefits of collagen for joints

In the study, the collagen supplements were crucial to achieving the results. But the participants used them in combination with training. The exercises they did involved a mix of football practice, leg strengthening workouts and plyometrics. These were their usual training practices – they didn’t do anything specifically for tendons. The study measured to properties of the patellar tendon. This connects the shin bone to the kneecap. It’s a tendon that is frequently injured by football players.

This suggests exercise enhanced the effectiveness of the collagen supplement. This is something we advocate for at Kollo. Whilst we supply the leading collagen supplement on the market, we recommend more. Using Kollo as the foundation, you should pursue a pro-collagen lifestyle for best results. More on this later.

Has there been other recent research into collagen for joints?

The case for collagen supplementation has been bolstered by some other recent studies. In 2022, there was a study that indicated pre-workout collagen that showed collagen plus vitamin C can enhance squat and jump performance. Another study in the same year discovered that daily collagen supplements boosted the cross-sectional area of tendons.

The protocols and results of these experiments varied somewhat. This is encouraging, because it shows that progress can be made even without following a specific regime. If nothing else, these studies challenge the prevailing orthodoxy. The long-accepted theory that tendons and ligaments are inert may not be true. By taking collagen for joints and pursuing a pro-collagen lifestyle, you may be able to strengthen your tendons. This could help with resistance to injury and sports performance. It may even help with age-related joint pain and conditions like osteoarthritis. 

We can’t say with certainty that everyone will experience these benefits to the same degree. But we can say that they are possible, and collagen supplements certainly won’t do any harm.

So what is a pro-collagen lifestyle?

You might be able to guess what we mean by this. In a nutshell, it means making lifestyle changes that benefit your collagen. You need to prevent what you have from being damaged while promoting the production of new collagen. The benefits are only partly covered by this new information about collagen for joints. Yes, you may experience improved joint health and stronger tendons. But other benefits include:

• Healthier, younger-looking skin

• Stronger hair and nails

• Improved gut health

• Greater arterial health

• More gains in muscle mass

We have written before about the reasons to take collagen supplements. They supply a consistent dosage of the nutrients your body needs to produce collagen. This fuels collagen production on a daily basis, helping you to reap the benefits of boosting your collagen. Kollo is very effective for this because each sachet contains 10g of premium-grade marine collagen peptides. This means your body gets all the glycine, proline and hydroxyproline it needs every single day. Your collagen synthesis will go through the roof.

The collagen peptides are bioavailable, so your body will absorb them quickly. This is enhanced by the liquid suspension since no digestion is needed. We fortify the formula with vitamin C, B vitamins and l-lysine to further enhance its potency. Add in the delicious tropical taste and you have a daily supplement that is enjoyable to take and highly effective.

So what else do I need to do for a pro-collagen lifestyle?

With Kollo as your foundation, you need to consider the dos and don’ts that apply to a pro-collagen lifestyle. Whether you want to improve your collagen for joints or reap the other benefits, the basic rules are the same.

Do:

• Take your collagen supplement consistently

• Exercise regularly, combining cardiovascular training with weight-bearing exercise

• Drink lots of water

• Sleep 7-8 hours each night

• Eat a pro-collagen diet filled with vitamin C, B vitamins, zinc, copper, chlorophyll, protein and antioxidants

• Carry out a good skincare and haircare routine

Don’t:

• Smoke

• Consume lots of refined sugar and carbohydrates

• Spend too much time in direct sunlight

• Stay in areas with heavy air pollution

• Drink too much alcohol

• Live a high-stress lifestyle

By following these basic principles, you will be following a pro-collagen lifestyle. The results of this can be fantastic for your wellbeing. Beyond the benefits listed earlier, our customers have included surprising benefits in their stories. These include things like increased energy levels and improvements in mood. Some have experienced benefits for conditions like eczema or acne. Collagen is particularly important for women in perimenopause or menopause and it can help men with age-related muscular decline.

Why choose Kollo?

At Kollo, we are committed to your wellbeing. This is why we advocate for a pro-collagen diet in addition to merely supplying a high-quality collagen supplement. We aim for maximum transparency and value our relationship with our customers.

We listed some of the advantages of Kollo earlier. But there are some other things that make us stand out from the crowd. First of all, we have ‘Informed Sport’ certification, meaning or product is rigorously tested to ensure it is safe for competing athletes to take. We also have ‘Amazon’s Choice’ status, which means our customers are assured a positive experience when buying from us.

Kollo has received many awards since launching in 2020. We have also appeared on ITV This Morning and featured in Women’s Running magazine. We have more than 2,000 5-star reviews from verified buyers so you can rest assured we make people happy. Our collagen supplement has carved out a reputation for quality and we are known as a brand you can trust. These things are so important to us and we hold our customers very dear to our hearts.

Learn more

We encourage you to keep exploring Kollo and all we have to offer. Our blog contains a wealth of information about collagen and its benefits. You can also browse the other sections of our website to learn about us and our mission.

If you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team would love to hear from you and we are ready to answer your queries as quickly as possible.