Innovative ingredient helps build bone strength in post-menopause

Studies show how bioactive collagen peptides can increase bone density in midlife women.

Osteoporosis affects about 22 per cent of European women over the age of 50, and about 7 per cent of men.1 In addition, the lifetime risk of osteoporotic fractures is about 46 per cent for women and 22 per cent for men. 2 The reason for the higher risk in women is the hormonal changes that occur after the menopause, which women experience on average between the ages of 45 and 55. Falling oestrogen levels lead to a decrease in bone mineral density, which is essential for maintaining bone health. However, as collagen is a major component of the organic bone matrix, supplementation with specific collagen peptides – in addition to known preventive measures such as a calcium­ and vitaminrich diet, weight management and adequate exercise – is a promising way to help prevent bone loss. Gelita, the leading collagen specialist, has developed Bioactive Collagen Peptides Fortibone® for this very purpose, with their effectiveness confirmed in clinical studies involving postmenopausal women.

Impact of oestrogen on bone metabolism

Oestrogen plays an important role in bone metabolism as it impedes the activity of cells, known as osteoclasts, that break down bone mass. However, during the menopause, oestrogen levels fall, which means osteoclasts are no longer sufficiently inhibited. As a result, there is a decline in bone mineral density, which can result in bone loss and fractures, as well as postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Preventing and treating osteoporosis

There are several non­pharmacological approaches to preventing osteoporosis: daily physical activity, reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking. Although these measures can slow further loss of bone density, once osteoporosis has been diagnosed it is unlikely to improve. Taking calcium and vitamin D is often recommended, but there is no evidence that they make a significant difference to disease progression or fracture risk. Pharmacological treatments can have disadvantages too: Bisphosphonates, human monoclonal antibodies and selective estrogen receptor modulators are all associated with adverse side-effects.

Collagen in the bone

The bone matrix of the human body consists of 70 per cent inorganic minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, and 20 per cent organic substances, with the remaining ten per cent being water. The organic part of the bone matrix consists of 95 per cent collagen fibres and 5 per cent bone cells, as well as other noncollagenous proteins. Collagen provides the scaffolding for mineralisation, which is important for bone formation because if the bone matrix is weak, there are not enough binding sites for calcium to ensure sufficient bone density. However, bone mass can be mineralised, and density and elasticity improved, by increasing collagen fibre content.

“At Gelita, we’ve spent years researching how the intake of Bioactive Collagen Peptides affects different areas of the body, such as joints, tendons or bones. In the area of bone health in postmenopausal women, in particular, we’ve been able to achieve convincing results with Fortibone®,” says Martin Walter, Category Manager Healthy Aging and Sports Nutrition at Gelita.

Study results reveal positive effect on bone mineral density

A double­blind, randomised controlled trial conducted in 2018 evaluated 12 months of Fortibone® supplementation on bone mineral density at the spine and femoral neck in postmenopausal women with low bone density. The study involved 131 women aged 46­80 who were divided into intervention and placebo groups. The intervention group took 5g of FORTIBONE® daily, while the placebo group took 5 g of maltodextrin. The study showed that bone densi­ ty increased significantly after taking Fortibone® ­ up by 4.2 per cent in the spine and 7.7 per cent in the femoral neck3 ­ while it decreased in the placebo group.

The positive effect of Fortibone® on bone mineral density was also confirmed in a 2021 follow-up study, in which 31 female subjects from the 2018 study took 5g of Fortibone® daily for three more years. The subjects were from both the intervention and placebo groups. A long­term increase in bone density was observed, with subjects from the previous placebo group benefiting most from taking Fortibone®. Density increased between 5.79 and 8.16 per cent at the spine, and between 1.23 and 4.21 per cent at the femoral neck during the observation period. In addition, none of the participants suffered a fracture during the four years.4

Initial research into the mode of action of Fortibone® indicates not only a suppressive effect on bone breakdown but, more importantly, a distinct stimulatory effect on the bone-building osteoblast cells. This anabolic effect can increase collagen synthesis and support the development of a stable bone structure. This is in contrast to many pharmacological treatments that only aim to prevent further bone loss.

Excellent products with a wide range of properties

Gelita’s Bioactive Collagen Peptides are well tolerated and have no adverse side-effects. After oral administration, they pass through the intestinal mucosa and enter the bloodstream in partially intact form. They are easily digested, rapidly absorbed and highly bioavailable.

Gelita’s collagen peptides also offer many technological advantages: they combine well with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and have excellent cold water solubility. As they are tasteless and clear in colour, they are easy to incorporate into end products. They have high heat and acid stability, and low viscosity, making them ideal for blending with other substances. In addition to being fat and cholesterol free, they are completely natural, making them ideal for clean label formulations.

“Our range of specific collagen peptides offers almost unlimited possibilities for the development of dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages targeting women or the ageing population as a whole,” says Martin Walter. “They can be easily incorporated into a range of products, including dairy products, protein bars, drinks and dietary supplements that help maintain quality of life and keep people active for longer.”

References:

1 International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF): A new scorecard for osteoporosis in the EU 27+2. 2021.

2 Hernlund E, Svedbom A, Ivergård M, Compston J, Cooper C, Stenmark J, McCloskey EV, Jönsson B, Kanis JA. Osteoporosis in the European Union: medical management, epidemiology and economic burden. A report prepared in collaboration with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry Associations (EFPIA). Arch Osteoporos. 2013;8(1):136. doi: 10.1007/s11657­013­0136­

3 König et al. (2018): Specific collagen peptides improve bone mineral density and bone markers in postmenopausal women ­ a randomised controlled trial. Nutrition. 2018 Jan 16;10(1):97. doi: 10.3390/nu10010097.

4 Zdzieblik et al. (2021): Specific bioactive collagen peptides in osteopenia and osteoporosis: Long­term observation in postmenopausal women. https://doi.org/10.11005/jbm.2021.28.3.207