Resistance Exercise and Specific Collagen Peptides Fight Sarcopenia

18 Sep 2015 --- A new clinical study published in the “British Journal of Nutrition” raises hope: in combination with resistance training specific collagen peptides developed by GELITA, significantly increase muscle mass and strength and decrease fat mass.

A steady loss of lean muscle mass along with fat mass increase, a condition known as sarcopenia, is one of the hallmarks of aging that always goes hand in hand with a loss of strength and mobility. Concerning demographic change sarcopenia poses a serious health problem to our aging society.

Sarcopenia affects millions of aging adults. It not only reduces mobility, but also increases the risk for elderly falling. Thus it is not only one of the greatest long-term threats to our ability to live healthy and independently, but also places an ever greater burden on our health care system. To fight sarcopenia GELITA, the world’s leading collagen protein expert and solution provider for health and nutrition issues, has developed specific bioactive collagen peptides named BODYBALANCE. Now a double blind placebo controlled study was performed at the Institute of Sports and Sports Science at the University of Freiburg, Germany, that included 60 sarcopenic men aged 65 and older, with a mean age of 72 years. It is the first study that investigates the effects of collagen peptides on body composition and muscle strength.

The participants were divided into two groups. During the twelve weeks study time, both groups underwent the same guided resistance training program, with three sessions per week. One group was daily supplemented with placebo, the other with BODYBALANCE collagen peptides: 15 gram given in powder form dissolved in 250 ml water. The participants drank the solution within one hour after the training. The training was exercised on fitness devices such as pull down, leg press, bench press and back press.

The main finding of the present study is that specific collagen peptides further increased the benefits of the resistance training in elderly people with sarcopenia. Compared with placebo, participants in the collagen-supplemented group showed a significant increase in fat-free mass (+4.2 kg compared to +2.9 kg) and muscle strength (+16.5 Nm compared to +7.3 Nm), as well as a statistically significant reduction in fat mass (-5.4 kg compared to -3.5 kg). 

In conclusion, the study results demonstrate that the combination of resistance exercise and specific collagen peptides supplementation is well suited to strengthen muscular power and to fight and prevent sarcopenia. 

GELITA’s high quality collagen peptides BODYBALANCE provides the industry access to a market with high growth potential. The bioactive collagen peptides can be used to develop innovative products such as beverages and shakes, bars, gels and all kind of instant food like soups contributing to a healthy nutrition. BODYBALANCE is a purely natural product and non-allergenic and allow for clean label products.

Reference: 
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9946260&fileId=S0007114515002810