Are there clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of hydrolyzed collagen and marine collagen?

Yes, here are some examples of clinical research on the beneficial effects of collagen peptides:

Absorption

• Ohara, H. (2007) Comparison of quantity and structures of hydroxyproline-containing peptides in human blood after oral ingestion of gelatin hydrolysates from different sources, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

This study shows that the plasma concentration of hydroxyproline-containing peptides was most significant after oral ingestion of hydrolyzed fish collagen. This was compared to the ingestion of hydrolyzed porcine collagen. As hydroxyproline is an amino acid abundant in collagen, this study shows that fish collagen provides the most bioavailable collagen hydrolysate for human consumption.

• Hitoshi Matsumoto, et al. (2006) Clinical Effects of Fish Type I collagen hydrolysate on skin properties, ITE Letters on Batteries, New Technologies and Medicine.

This study shows that the consumption of a fish type I collagen hydrolysate mixture improved the skin properties of participants after six weeks of ingestion. These participants tended to initially have dry and rough skin and the properties examined were skin pliability and elasticity, skin smoothness, wrinkles, skin roughness, and sebum levels.

• Yazaki, et al., (2017) Oral Ingestion of Collagen Hydrolysate Leads to the Transportation of Highly Concentrated Gly-Pro-Hyp and Its Hydrolyzed Form of ProHyp into the Bloodstream and Skin, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

This study proposes that functional peptides like gly-pro-hyp can be transferred to the skin via dietary supplementation of collagen hydrolysates. Thus, the administration of gly-pro-hyp causes an accumulation of pro-hyp in the skin. This was demonstrated using both human and mouse models.

Skin, Hair & Nails

• Proksch, E, et al. (2013) Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

This study shows that collagen hydrolysate supplementation is an effective treatment for cutaneous aging. At the end of the study, skin elasticity showed a statistically significant improvement compared to placebo.

• Asserin, J. (2015). The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. 

This study shows that oral supplementation with collagen peptides is effective in improving the hallmarks of skin aging like skin dryness and wrinkles. The clinical group had greater skin hydration and increased collagen density in the dermis after 8 weeks of supplementation. In addition to the clinical trial, an ex vivo study demonstrated that collagen peptides induce collagen and glycosaminoglycan production.

• Proksch, E, et al. (2013) Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis.

This study shows that ingestion of bioactive collagen peptides reduced skin wrinkles and improved dermal matrix synthesis. The participants’ skin was objectively analyzed before, during, and after the 8 week treatment; properties included skin wrinkles, procollagen I, elastin, and fibrillin. It is important to note that a positive long-lasting effect was observed 4 weeks after the last oral intake of bioactive collagen peptides.

• Schunck, et al. (2015) Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology, Journal of Medicinal Food.

This study shows that bioactive collagen peptides reduced the degree of cellulite in women. A statistically significant reduction in skin waviness and an improved dermal density was also observed.

• Vollmer, D. L, et al. (2018) Enhancing Skin Health: By Oral Administration of Natural Compounds and Minerals with Implications to the Dermal Microbiome.

This study reviews the oral application of cosmeceuticals such as collagen, ceramide, beta-carotene, astaxanthin, coenzyme Q10, colostrum, zinc, and selenium. This review details an abundance of pre-clinical and clinical reports that provide evidence to support the use of collagen hydrolysate supplementation

• Cosmet Dermatol, J. (2017) Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails.

This study shows that bioactive collagen peptide treatment promoted an increase in nail growth and a decrease in the frequency of broken nails in conjunction with improved brittle nail syndrome. This positive effect on nail health was shown after 24 weeks of treatment.

Joints & Bones

• Bello A.E. (2006) Collagen hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders: a review of the literature, Current Medical Research Opinions.

This study reviews the medical literature on the use of collagen hydrolysate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Hydrolyzed collagen has been shown to accumulate in cartilage and increase the synthesis of extracellular matrix macromolecules by chondrocytes. This treatment is safe and reduces several measures of pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis or other arthritic conditions.

• Porfírio, E, Fanaro, GB. (2015) Collagen supplementation as a complementary therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis: a systematic review. 

This study reviews the effect of hydrolyzed collagen on joint and bone health. The conclusion drawn is that hydrolyzed collagen has a positive therapeutic effect on osteoporosis and osteoarthritis with a potential increase in bone mineral density. It also has a protective effect on articular cartilage and helps relieve pain.

• De Paz-Lugo, P, et al. (2018). High glycine concentration increases collagen synthesis by articular chondrocytes in vitro: acute glycine deficiency could be an important cause of osteoarthritis.

This study shows that glycine deficiency results in decreased collagen synthesis by articular chondrocytes in vitro. Decreased collagen synthesis is associated with osteoarthritis and therefore including oral supplements like collagen hydrolysate can be used to regenerate cartilage. This would help in the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis.

• Clark, K L. (2008) 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. 

This study shows that collagen hydrolysate supplementation improved the joint pain in athletes. Thus, this 24-week clinical trial can have implications on the use of collagen hydrolysate to support joint health and reduce the risk of joint deterioration in a high-risk group.

• Moskowitz R.W. (2000) Role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease, Seminars Arthritis Rheum.

This study shows that the effect of calcitonin in inhibiting bone collagen breakdown is enhanced with the addition of pharmaceutical-grade collagen hydrolysate. Due to the high level of safety of hydrolyzed collagen, it is found to be an attractive agent for long-term use in chronic disorders like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

• L Elam, M, et al. (2014) A calcium-collagen chelate dietary supplement attenuates bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomized controlled trial.

This study shows that the whole body bone mass density loss of postmenopausal women taking a calcium-collagen supplement was significantly lower than that of the control group. It is known that menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis in women due to a decrease in estrogen, which has a protective effect on bones.

Muscles

• Oertzen-Hagemann, V, et al. (2019) Effects of 12 Weeks of Hypertrophy Resistance Exercise Training Combined with Collagen Peptide Supplementation on the Skeletal Muscle Proteome in Recreationally Active Men. 

This study shows that consuming collagen peptides within 60 minutes of a resistance exercise training has positive effects on muscle mass and strength. Participants in this study saw a more pronounced increase in body mass, fat-free mass, and muscle strength when supplementing with collagen in addition to resistance training. Note that the participants in this study were young, healthy men.

• Nutr, Br J. (2015) Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomized controlled trial.

This study shows that consuming collagen peptides in addition to resistance exercise training has positive effects on muscle mass and strength of the elderly. Participants in this study saw an improvement in body composition by increasing fat-free mass, muscle strength, and the loss in fat mass supplementing with collagen in addition to resistance training. Note that the participants in this study were sarcopenic men (experiencing age-related loss of muscle mass and strength).

• Olson, G.B., Savage, S, et al (2000). The effects of collagen hydrolysat on symptoms of chronic fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint pain.

This study shows that hydrolyzed collagen can be used to treat the pain associated with fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint issues. Conclusions from the study reveal the average pain complaint levels and chronic symptom levels decreased significantly after consuming collagen.

Heart

• Anteroscler Thromb, J. (2017) Effect of Collagen Tripeptide on Atherosclerosis in Healthy Humans.

This study shows that collagen tripeptide consumption contributes to the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis in healthy humans. A significant reduction was seen in the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio, toxic advanced glycation end-products, and the cardio-ankle vascular index.