Healthy body, happy mind: Solugel collagen’s holistic health benefits for middle-aged adults

06 Oct 2023 --- Middle-aged adults are increasingly prioritizing physical exercise to boost their overall well-being and the results of a recent clinical trial show that PB Leiner’s collagen offering, Solugel, could have positive health effects for the demographic’s physical and mental well-being.

According to the study, a substantial percentage of middle-aged individuals consider exercise and improved physical fitness crucial for their sense of well-being. However, for this active group, joint health poses a significant concern and research reveals that an overwhelming amount of individuals aged 45 to 59 have worries about joint and muscle pain.

This places them in a challenging position as they desire to engage in physical activities but are deterred by the fear of joint pain. In fact, more than half of people aged 45 and older have reported reducing or discontinuing exercise due to joint discomfort.

“The potential of collagen peptides to contribute to holistic health for this demographic group is very encouraging,” says Dr. Reyhan Nergiz Unal, health and nutrition science lead at PB Leiner. “Being pain-free and enjoying an increased activity range also has its effect on mental well-being.”

Collagen’s impact
A team of researchers at Florida State University (FSU), US, explored the effects of regular Solugel collagen peptide consumption on middle-aged adults to help understand the pivotal role collagen plays in the aging process.

The double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial revealed substantial improvements based on the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), signifying substantial reductions in pain and improved knee function.Supplementing with Solugel for six months improved ADL scores and mental health while reducing joint discomfort.

The participants, aged 40–65, consumed 10 grams of Solugel collagen peptides daily and engaged in physical activities such as hiking or cycling for at least three to four hours a week and — though they reported no specific medical conditions — each said they experience joint or musculoskeletal pain.

After six months, the results not only displayed a significant reduction in joint discomfort but also indicated increased daily activities. The peptides boosted the number of activities of daily living (ADL), encompassing everyday tasks like commuting, cleaning and shopping. One-third of participants reported meaningful improvements in their ADL scores.

In stark contrast, none of the placebo group participants reported any enhancements.

Healthy body, healthy mind
According to the researchers, another effect of Solugel collagen peptide supplementation is enhanced mental well-being. The results suggest that Solugel supplementation also significantly improved mental health scores — another benefit not observed in the placebo group. 

The researchers further highlight that this clinical trial marks the first study to investigate the effects of collagen peptide supplementation on the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey and to identify substantial mood improvements associated with supplementation.

“This is the first and only study to examine not only the physical impact but also the mental component of collagen peptide intake for this demographic group — healthy active adults without pathology,” says Dr. Michael Ormsbee, the director of FSU’s Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine and lead clinical researcher of the study.

The study further highlights that, as active middle-aged adults strive to maintain their physical and mental well-being, Solugel collagen peptides could offer relief from joint pain while enhancing daily activities and boost overall quality of life.

Edited by William Bradford Nichols