The Research on Collagen Peptides

Research on hydrolyzed fish collagen supplements like Fishkol has been conducted internationally. Here are a few of the results researchers have discovered:

  • Studies at the School of Public Health, Beijing University, found that fish collagen supplements encouraged thickening and strengthening of aging skin. [Effects of marine collagen peptide on delaying the skin aging. Pei XRet al.Department of Food and Nutritional Hygiene, School of Public Health, Beijing University, Beijing. 2008 Apr;42(4):235-8.]
  • French biologists found that hydrolyzed fish collagen led to increased bone density. [Published in Bone]
  • Chinese biologists have determined that fish collagen supplements are absorbed at a rate of approximately 90%, and that the collagen is present in the tissues of the users shortly after ingestion.
  • Japanese researchers compared collagen absorption from pig and fish collagen and found that fish collagen was absorbed significantly better and faster than pork collagen. [Published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry]
  • Scientists at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have been using fish collagen for bone transplant and bone regeneration, finding that it is both more effective and safer than collagen from pigs, which pose a danger of carrying viruses which can affect humans. [Reported in Proscouter]
  • The same researchers, as well as scientists from Hokkaido University, are working with fish collagen for reconstruction of the cornea of the eye. While fish collagen supplements are different from corneal reconstruction with fish collagen, we note that the researchers chose fish collagen rather than pork or beef because of its greater safety. [ibid]
  • Similar research has been conducted by scientists from Taiwan, the Netherlands, and the United States. [Published in European Cells and Materials]
  • A more recent study assessed the efficacy of collagen peptides in which 250 subjects with primary osteoarthritis of the knee were given 10g of collagen peptides daily. The results showed a significant improvement in knee joint comfort, and subjects with the greatest joint deterioration benefited most.  [Published in Ruiz-Benito, P., Camacho-Zambrano, M.M., Carrillo-Arcentales, J.N., Mestanza-Peralta, M.A., Vallejo-Flores, C.A., Vargas-Lopez, S.V., Villacis-Tamayo, R.A. and Zurita-Gavilanes, L.A. 2009. A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of a food ingredient, collagen hydrolysate, for improving joint comfort. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 12:1-15]
  • Research by Professor Fujimoto Daisaburo from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology indicated that intake of collagen in the daily diet is very important to promote the metabolism of collagen in the human body.  Professor Fujimoto recommended the use of collagen supplements beginning at age 25.
  • A study reported in the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal reported extremely low chances of allergic reaction to fish collagen taken internally. [Cited in the EFSA Journal]
  • Studies with osteoarthritis patients found that hydrolized collagen supplements reduced pain, though they did not cause measurable changes in the joints or joint functioning. [Published at Informa Healthcare]
  • A study on the use of collagen hydrolysate for bone and joint disease reported in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism concluded that, “Its high level of safety makes it attractive as an agent for long-term use in these chronic disorders.”
  • The US FDA has concluded that bovine (cow) collagen could be a danger for bovine spongiform (mad cow disease) contamination. Fish collagen presents no such dangers.
  • The National Center for Biotechnology Information (a government agency in the United States) found no evidence of toxicity at any dosage. [Toxicity Study]