Collagen supplements have exploded in popularity and are advertised as all of the following: anti-aging miracle A muscle recovery booster.
However, a comprehensive new review conducted by British researchers suggests that while collagen may help improve skin elasticity and relieve arthritis pain, it has little benefit for athletic performance or athletic performance. Reduced wrinkles.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University analyzed 16 systematic reviews and 113 randomized controlled trials involving around 8,000 participants worldwide. They say this is the most extensive evaluation of collagen’s health effects to date.
Cosmetic fillers can cause deadly complications, experts warn – but new technology reveals
This review found consistent evidence that collagen supplementation improves skin elasticity and hydration over time and significantly reduces skin inflammation. Osteoarthritis related Joint pain and stiffness, according to research published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum.
However, the researchers found no significant improvement. muscle recovery after exercisepain or mechanical properties of the tendon (strength, elasticity, and stretch resistance).
“Collagen is not a panacea, but when used consistently over time, it has reliable benefits, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis,” co-author Lee Smith, professor of public health at Anglia Ruskin University, said in a statement.
Experimental serum promises to reverse baldness within 20 days
“Our findings demonstrate clear benefits in important areas of healthy aging, while also dispelling some of the misconceptions surrounding its use,” Smith added.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, supports skin, bones, tendons, cartilage, and connective tissue, according to experts. nature collagen production It begins to decline in early adulthood and declines more rapidly with age.
The review found that long-term collagen supplementation was associated with improved skin firmness and hydration, but had no effect on rough skin, a surrogate for visible wrinkles.
The benefits appear to accumulate over time, the researchers said, suggesting that collagen should be viewed not as a “wrinkle-preventing ‘quick fix'” but as basic dermal support for individuals seeking comprehensive skin maintenance.
Click here to sign up for our lifestyle newsletter
“If anti-aging is defined as products and techniques that prevent the appearance of aging, we think our findings support this claim on several parameters.” Mr Smith told the BBC.. “For example, improved skin tone and hydration are associated with a more youthful appearance.”
Collagen supplementation has been associated with reduced pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients, with greater effects seen with long-term use and modest improvements in muscle mass and tendon structure. healthy aging.
However, when used as a fast-acting sports performance supplement, no meaningful results have been shown, and cholesterol, blood sugar levels, blood pressure Oral health status was mixed or inconclusive.
Dr. Daniel Guillam, a California-based physician and longevity expert, said the study results are consistent with what he’s seeing in clinical practice.
For more lifestyle stories, click here
“Collagen is a targeted support tool, not a foundation for health or performance,” Guiyam, who was not involved in the study, told FOX News Digital. “If it’s marketed that way, it makes sense. If it’s marketed as a panacea, it doesn’t hold up to the data.”
The authors noted that while much of previous collagen research has been funded by the supplement industry, this study received no industry funding.
The research team called for more high-quality clinical trials to examine long-term outcomes, optimal dosages, and differences between collagen sources such as marine, bovine, and plant-based alternatives.
Among its limitations, this review could not determine whether certain forms of collagen work more effectively than others or what the optimal formulation should be.
Test yourself with our latest lifestyle quiz
The review also included randomized controlled trials, but the quality of the studies varied, with newer studies generally showing stronger results.
experts say More data and research We need to build on our findings. They also pointed out that diet plays an important role in skin health.
Dr. Elm Ilyas, a Pennsylvania-based dermatologist and professor of dermatology at Drexel University School of Medicine, noted that the review analyzed previously published meta-analyses rather than generating new primary data.
“At this time, we have not found strong enough independent evidence to recommend collagen supplements to patients on a regular basis,” Ilyas, who was not involved in the review, told FOX News Digital.
“Although some studies have shown modest improvements in markers such as hydration and elasticity“Independent biopsy-confirmed evidence of sustained increases in dermal collagen content is still limited,” she added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to researchers for comment.
