Do collagen supplements deserve their hype? - The Globe and Mail

Health

Do collagen supplements deserve their hype? – The Globe and Mail

Published

2 years ago

February 28, 2022

Harry Miller

A few small clinical studies suggest that collagen supplements can reduce pain in people with knee osteoarthritis. However, the improvements are modest and benefits may take three to five months to appear.yacobchuk/iStockPhoto / Getty Images

Judging by the multitude of collagen supplements available – from capsules and gummies to liquids and powders – collagen is big business.

And no wonder. The sought-after ingredient is credited for rejuvenating skin and smoothing wrinkles, promoting nail and hair growth, easing joint pain, strengthening bones, even building muscle.

But do collagen supplements deliver on their promises? Here’s what the science says.

What is collagen?

The most abundant protein in the body, collagen is the main component of connective tissue, which provides structure and support to other body tissues.

Collagen-rich connective tissue keeps our skin supple and elastic, strengthens bones, supports joints and tendons and maintains flexible blood vessels. It’s also an important component of skeletal muscle.

There are different types of collagen in the body. Most common is Type I, found in bones, ligaments, tendons and skin. Type II comes from cartilage and joints, while Type III collagen is found in skin and blood vessels.

With age, our body produces less collagen, making us prone to wrinkles, sore joints and weakened bones. Cigarette smoking, excessive sun exposure, heavy alcohol intake and lack of sleep accelerate collagen loss.

Supplementing with collagen, then, can seem like an appealing way to slow aging.

About collagen supplements

Collagen supplements are made from animal parts, such as bovine or chicken bones and skins or fish scales. They’re sold as hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides, which are smaller units of collagen that are easier for the body to absorb.

Collagen peptides contain the same protein-building blocks (amino acids) as the animal products they’re derived from. Some supplements may also contain other ingredients thought to benefit skin or joint health.

Are collagen supplements beneficial?

It’s important to note that many studies are funded, at least partially, by companies that manufacture collagen, which could potentially bias the results.

Skin aging

Supplementing with four to 10 g of collagen daily for four to 12 weeks seems to benefit skin health, especially in older women. A 2021 review of 19 randomized clinical trials conducted in 1,125 women, for example, concluded that hydrolyzed collagen was beneficial for skin hydration and elasticity (e.g., wrinkles and roughness).

The research is unclear, however, whether collagen supplements reduce skin wrinkles to a cosmetically significant degree.

Joint health

Preliminary research also suggests that taking five to 10 g of collagen daily for six months can modestly ease joint pain during exercise in student athletes. In adults 50 and older, collagen supplements don’t appear to reduce joint pain.

A combination product containing fish collagen, chondroitin, glucosamine and L-carnitine, however, was shown to lessen joint pain in older adults. But it was unclear if the benefit was due to collagen, the other ingredients, or the combination.

Bone health

There’s conflicting evidence that collagen supplements protect against bone loss in postmenopausal women with low bone density.

In one study, taking collagen along with calcium and vitamin D for one year had no effect bone density compared to taking calcium and vitamin D alone. Another study found that 10 g of collagen taken daily for 12 months modestly increased bone density of the spine compared to placebo.

Muscle-building

A few small studies suggest that collagen supplements, combined with resistance training, may increase muscle strength and lean muscle in premenopausal women, young men and older men with sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) compared to a placebo.

However, when compared to whey protein, research has shown collagen to be ineffective at increasing muscle protein synthesis in young adults and in older women. Not surprising, since collagen is a low quality protein; it’s made up mostly of non-essential amino acids, ones the body can make on its own.

Collagen is also low in leucine, an essential amino acid that is key for stimulating muscle protein synthesis. (The body can’t make essential amino acids; they must come from diet.)

Bottom line

Supplementing with collagen seems to improve signs of aging skin, but don’t expect your wrinkles to disappear. Taking collagen may also modestly reduce joint pain people with knee osteoarthritis and in young athletes.

There’s scant evidence, though, that collagen supplements counteract bone loss. And if your goal is to gain muscle, don’t trade in your whey (or pea) protein for a collagen supplement.

Collagen supplements are considered safe and without adverse effects in doses up to 10 grams.

Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based private practice dietitian, is director of food and nutrition at Medcan. Follow her on Twitter @LeslieBeckRD

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AHS confirms case of measles in Edmonton – CityNews Edmonton

Published

25 mins ago

April 24, 2024

Harry Miller

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed a case of measles in Edmonton, and is advising the public that the individual was out in public while infectious.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that is spread easily through the air, and can only be prevented through immunization.

AHS says individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times, may have been exposed to measles.

April 16
- Edmonton International Airport, international arrivals and baggage claim area — between 3:20 p.m. and 6 p.m.
April 20
- Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department — between 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
April 22
- 66^th Medical Clinic (13635 66 St NW Edmonton) — between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Pharmacy 66 (13637 66 St NW Edmonton) — between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
April 23
- Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department — between 4:40 a.m. to 9:33 a.m.

AHS says anyone who attended those locations during those times is at risk of developing measles if they’ve not had two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine.

Those who have not had two doses, who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of getting measles and should contact Health Link at 1-877-720-0707.

Symptoms

Symptoms of measles include a fever of 38.3° C or higher, cough, runny nose, and/or red eyes, a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.

If you have any of these symptoms stay home and call Health Link.

In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose at 18 months of age.

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U.S. tightens rules for dairy cows a day after bird flu virus fragments found in pasteurized milk samples – Toronto Star

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1 hour ago

April 24, 2024

Harry Miller

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Infected cows were already prohibited from being transported out of state, but that was based on the physical characteristics of the milk, which looks curdled when a cow is infected, or a cow has decreased lactation or low appetite, both symptoms of infection.

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New technology to advance women’s cancer care at Southlake

Published

13 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Harry Miller

NEWS RELEASE
SOUTHLAKE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE
**************************
This Cancer Awareness Month, Southlake is adding advanced technologies to detect and treat breast cancer and other women’s cancers thanks to generous community donor support, most recently through the HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign. New cancer care technology, including new mammography machines, the MyoSure System and the MOLLI 2® System will make a measurable impact in diagnosing and treating women’s cancers in the communities Southlake serves.

Southlake is installing three new mammography machines to expand its breast cancer screening program to 1,500 more women each year. Two of these machines have new biopsy capabilities that will reduce the number of cancelled exams due to equipment failure, ensuring timely care for women. Women ages 40 to 49 years old will be able to self-refer for publicly funded mammograms through the Ontario Breast Screening Program starting this fall.

“Early detection is critical when treating breast cancer and other women’s cancers,” said Lorrie Reynolds, Director, Regional Cancer Program at Southlake. “We treat more than 1,700 breast cancer patients at Southlake every year. By adding advanced technology, like the new mammography machines, we’re ensuring women have the best experience at Southlake.”

Southlake is also introducing the MyoSure System, an innovative technology that can help detect female reproductive cancers. Damaged tissue in a woman’s uterus such as fibroids and polyps can now be removed in a precise, minimally invasive procedure that leaves the rest of the uterus intact. This will improve the overall patient experience by supporting faster recovery, reducing the risk of infection and giving more women the option to have children. An estimated 200 women per year will benefit from the MyoSure System.

The new mammography machines and the MyoSure System build on Southlake’s recent investment in the MOLLI 2® System, a made-in-Canada wire-free breast localization technology. This technology is considerably less invasive and more accurate when compared to wire-guided localization, resulting in a better patient experience and improved cosmetic outcomes. More than 200 women each year will benefit from this innovative medical device as they are treated for breast cancer at Southlake.

“As a clinician caring for women with cancer in our community, I’m incredibly proud of the work Southlake is doing to advance women’s health and improve patient experiences,” said Sara Temple, MD, Surgical Oncologist and Chief of Surgery at Southlake. “Women who visit Southlake can be confident that they are receiving leading edge care, close to home when they need it most.”

The World Health Organization anticipates a 77 per cent increase in cancer diagnoses by 2050. Southlake serves some of the fastest growing communities in Canada and anticipates that the number of patients requiring cancer care will grow. By investing in new technology, Southlake is ensuring that women in the communities it serves have access to leading edge cancer care. All of these investments were funded with support from community donors who generously gave to Southlake to support investments into women’s health at the hospital.

“The generosity of our donor community and the impact they have made for women receiving cancer diagnosis and treatment at Southlake is something we can all take great pride in,” said Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “From our Women’s Health Initiative donors supporting new mammography machines, to the Ladies in Philanthropy for Southlake funding the MOLLI 2 System, to our long-standing partners The Edge Benefits and Pheasant Run Golf Club enabling the introduction of MyoSure System through their joint annual charity golf tournament, we are incredibly lucky to share a vision of access to exceptional care for everyone who depends on Southlake when they need us most. Thank you, to every donor who contributed to these important upgrades to care for women.”

Southlake Foundation’s HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign supports the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake. For more information or to make a donation, visit: southlake.ca/HERE.

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