Bioiberica discusses the science behind Collavant n2 collagen and plans for future research

08 Jul 2024 --- Bioiberica experts Antonio Vendrell, marketing and communications director, and Daniel Martinez-Puig, R&D manager, sit down with Nutrition Insight to illuminate the latest research into the company’s Collavant n2 collagen as well as offer insights into the joint industry space.

“Collavant n2 is a native (undenatured) type II collagen that works at a low dose (40 mg/day) through a mechanism of action called Oral Tolerance (OT), which modulates the body’s immune response against endogenous collagen,” Vendrell, tells us.

Vendrell explains that OT comprises a few key stages. After the intake of native type II collagen, it passes through the stomach and reaches the intestine. There, it interacts with the Peyer’s patches in the intestine — lymphoid nodules responsible for immune surveillance in the intestinal tract.

“Through this interaction, it helps reduce the immune response against endogenous type II collagen, which in turn leads to a reduction in collagen degradation in the joint – thereby explicitly supporting joint health.”

This specific mechanism of action means that it takes a very low dosage of native type II collagen to achieve benefits at the joint level — only 40 mg daily, which is much lower than the dosage needed for hydrolyzed collagen to be effective (up to 10 g a day).

In women over 40
Meanwhile, Martinez-Puig provides details about the recent scientific research conducted on the effectiveness of the product.

A 2013 women-only trial conducted by researchers in Brazil and Portugal published in Wiener klinische Wochenschrift compared exercise therapy and non-hydrolyzed collagen (UC-II) in functionality and quality of life in women with knee osteoarthritis. Martinez-Puig says this study aimed to evaluate effectiveness in a group of 39 women aged 40–80 with the condition.

“The participants were divided into three different groups: a control group, a supplement group and an exercise group. Women in the supplement group took 40 mg/day of Collavant n2 for six weeks, and the exercise group carried out twelve fitness sessions across the six-week study period,” he explains.

Collavant n2 is a native (undenatured) type II collagen that works at a low dose through the Oral Tolerance mechanism of action.“The control group received no supplementation and did not participate in the fitness program. The study evaluated knee function and quality of life through the WOMAC (Western Ontario McMaster) questionnaire, mobility by measuring the range of motion of the knee and functionality following a walking test.”

The findings reveal that the effects of exercise protocol and UC-II are similar in functionality.

Post-workout support
Martinez-Puig also shares further details about a study conducted this year in Spain and published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of Collavant n2 in the joint function of healthy individuals experiencing joint discomfort post-intensive exercise.

“This is the first exploration of Collavant n2’s effects in a healthy population. It found that, at 40 mg a day, Collavant n2 significantly reduced joint discomfort and improved quality of life.”

He argues that this is significant as it confirms that native (undenatured) type II collagen can support the “everyday consumer,” especially those who lead an active lifestyle or regularly engage in sports.

“Ultimately, these latest findings help to cement the ingredient as a key nutritional solution in the joint health space and highlight that brands featuring Collavant n2 in their formulations can attract a wider consumer demographic.”

Native undenatured type II collagen
The Bioiberica asserts that Collavant n2 stands out as a native (undenatured) type II collagen, as opposed to a hydrolyzed collagen. “This comes with some significant differences, especially in how both molecules support joint health,” says Martinez-Puig.

“In its natural (or native) form, collagen has a folded triple helix structure. In contrast, hydrolyzed collagens contain a mixture of amino acids and peptides, made by breaking down animal collagen via enzymatic hydrolysis.”

He explains that when taken orally, native type II collagen is beneficial for joints specifically due to its OT mechanism of action, whereas hydrolyzed collagen also plays a role in joints, skin, bone and tissue health. “Native type II collagen is much easier to formulate with due to its low effective dosage, enabling brands to push the boundaries of format innovation.”

“Our native (undenatured) type II collagen, Collavant n2, can be incorporated into functional food and beverage formats such as novel gummies and ready-to-drink protein blends/shakes, for instance, appealing to consumers seeking easy-to-consume, convenient products,”  Martinez-Puig adds.

Vendrell highlights that one area that may become an interesting field of research is blending different collagens, like native type II and hydrolyzed collagen.Formulation and dosage
Marketing and communications director Vendrell states that Collavant n2’s efficacy, low dosage, formulation flexibility, compatibility with other ingredients and sustainability credentials make it well-suited to joint health innovation. 

“Thanks to its low dosage of only 40 mg a day, it can be featured in a range of consumer-inspired, convenient delivery formats.”

Vendrell adds that Collavant n2 can be combined with other molecules to create multi-ingredient formulations that deliver more holistic health benefits. “For instance, products featuring protein for muscle support and native type II collagen for joint and cartilage health, along with vitamins K2 and D3 for bone health, could cater to consumers seeking comprehensive mobility support.” 

“As an industry, we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible when it comes to holistic health solutions and there is a lot of potential for discovery and advancements.”

The future of the industry
Vendrell highlights that one area that may become an interesting field of research is blending different collagens, like native type II and hydrolyzed collagen. “Although this combination is yet to be fully explored, it could offer real advantages, giving the body the tools it needs to nurture cartilage (hydrolyzed collagen) while supporting joint health longer-term (native type II collagen).”

“At Bioiberica, we’re always investing in the scientific and clinical development of our ingredients,” he asserts, pointing out that the company’s most recent clinical research for Collavant n2 is focused on investigating its effects in healthy subjects. 

“We made the decision to concentrate on ‘everyday’ consumers to more closely align with our customers’ target audience: ‘ordinary’ people who want to maintain an active lifestyle and prioritize joint health.”

He argues that across the world regulatory bodies in the nutraceuticals space are beginning to ask for studies to be carried out on healthy subjects.

“It’s becoming more important for ingredient suppliers to carry out these types of clinical trials,” Vendrell concludes. 

By Milana Nikolova