Guzen Development welcomes support for salmon collagen in treating joint health

08 Aug 2023 --- Collagen supplier Guzen Development is highlighting the findings from a new clinical trial which indicates that undenatured collagen types II and XI from salmon cartilage can improve and prevent knee joint discomfort during walking. The study is the first to use salmon collagen with a dose as low as 10 mg/day. 

The researchers found a “significant difference” from baseline knee pain during walking and going up and down stairs, which the clinical trial participants assessed. A biomarker assessment supported the efficacy of undenatured collagen. 

In addition, participants over 50 experienced significant improvement in knee pain when doing exercises that required bending or stretching their knees, such as squats or stairs. 

Guzen Development notes that salmon cartilage contains undenatured proteoglycan, undenatured type II collagen and was recently discovered to contain type XI collagen. Collagen is used in food supplements for joint health benefits and skin health. 

Study set-up 
Participants in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial received undenatured collagen or a placebo for 16 weeks. Both groups comprised 25 healthy people between 40 and 70 years old who felt knee discomfort. 

The study participants tested knee pain at baseline and the end of the trial during rest, walking, going up and down stairs, standing up and sitting down and standing for ten minutes. 

They scored their pain on a visual analog scale ranging from “no pain” to “the most severe pain you have ever had” and filled out questionnaires to assess their Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure scores.

The trial tested knee pain during rest, walking, going up and down stairs, standing up and sitting down and standing.Moreover, the researchers asked participants to conduct three exercises, standing up and sitting down, squats and a step exercise. Participants repeated each exercise ten times, marking at which repetition they felt substantial knee discomfort. 

The study, published in the Japanese Pharmacology & Therapeutics Journal, analyzed three biomarkers for joint cartilage synthesis and degradation. These showed that undenatured salmon collagen normalized the synthesis and degradation of joint cartilage, which the authors note may help explain its efficacy. 

The first part of the study was published in 2021, which examined the effects of 10 mg of undenatured proteoglycan from salmon cartilage using the same study protocol, notes Guzen Development. This study showed similar results as the current research, significantly improving knee discomfort compared to a placebo. 

Types of collagen 
Guzen Development explains that undenatured type II collagen is effective at a minimal dose because the active sites of the protein are kept intact, unlike collagen peptides derived from type I and III collagen. 

The company notes that collagen peptides are taken in 2-10 g doses. 

The collagen supplier suggests the active sites in undenatured type II collagen may be recognized by the body and can signal to suppress an excessive immune response, which can be responsible for joint inflammation as the immune response releases inflammatory cytokines. 

According to Guzen Development, previous studies on undenatured collagen and proteoglycan complex from salmon cartilage at doses of 20 mg and 15 mg showed significant improvements in knee pain compared to a placebo or glucosamine. The effects on knee discomfort were seen from four weeks onwards. 

The company notes a synergistic effect of taking undenatured collagen and proteoglycan may exist. However, additional studies are needed to examine the mechanism of how these may work together. 

Guzen Development’s SCP-II supplement includes 40% undenatured collagen and 40% proteoglycan, requiring a dose of 25 mg/day for joint health benefits. 

By Jolanda van Hal 

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