Gelita’s specific collagen peptide ingredient aids joint health, finds sports nutrition study

16 Feb 2021 --- Fortigel, one of Gelita’s specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP) offerings, has been shown to regenerate cartilage, maintain joint mobility and minimize joint discomfort.

“Specific for joint health, Fortigel has consistently shown statistically significant benefits compared to placebo in several published studies, and across various sub-groups of the general population, and more studies are underway,” Suzane Leser, director of nutrition communication at Gelita, tells NutritionInsight.

The new study was conducted by the University of Freiburg, Germany and is published in Nutrients.

Each day for 12 weeks, the researchers gave either 5 g of Fortigel or a maltodextrin placebo to 180 physically active young men and women who had reported knee discomfort during physical activity.

The group that supplemented with Fortigel had a statistically significant reduction in “pain during activity” compared with the placebo, as assessed by both the study participants and the physician.

According to the authors of the study, Fortigel “may help to prevent the clinical manifestation of chronic degenerative joint diseases.”

Easy formulation
Fortigel is a product of a proprietary hydrolysis process. “It is a well-defined pool of bioactive collagen peptides, proven to optimally stimulate the metabolism of joint cells, which produce the collagen-rich cartilage,” says Oliver World, head of B2B marketing at Gelita.

He notes that like all BCP, Fortigel is easily soluble, neutral in taste and odor, and there is no interaction with other active ingredients. 

Due to ease of formulation with Fortigel, it is available via a host of delivery formats – including bars, shots, powders, drinks and gummies – around the world. Fortigel is easily soluble and neutral in taste and odor, while having no interactions with other active ingredients.

Building on past research
Leser emphasizes that not all collagen peptides have equal efficacy.

“For example, a recent similar study, which used a generic collagen hydrolysate of different peptide composition, was not able to show a statistically significant reduction in activity-related joint pain compared to placebo, even if doubling the dose to 10 g.”

The latest findings from the new study confirm the conclusions from a 2017 investigation. It was the first to observe a significant reduction in activity-related joint discomfort from the use of Fortigel compared with placebo.

“Fortigel is the most clinically studied BCP. So far, no other collagen peptide solution on the market has been able to offer an alternative to Fortigel, backed by science,” says Dr. Stephan Hausmanns, Gelita’s vice president for Health & Nutrition.

Looking to the future, Wolf notes that there are many more areas where Gelita has a clear indication that specific BCP have a certain effect. 

“This is where we will direct our attention in the near future. Stay tuned – there is a lot to come for these unique peptides,” he concludes. 

Earlier this year, Gelita broadened its BCP portfolio with Immupept, a new brand that targets the immunity sector. 

Meanwhile, at Vitafoods Asia Digital Week, the company also highlighted healthy aging and beauty-from-within applications for BCP. 

Edited by Katherine Durrell, with additional reporting by Missy Green