7 min
Should you take collagen to relieve and strengthen joints?
Joint pain , such as arthritis or osteoarthritis , can be very disabling and disrupt daily life. They can be caused by many factors, such as aging, injuries, degenerative diseases or obesity.
If your joints are causing you pain, you may be looking for solutions to relieve your symptoms and take care of your joints .
Collagen is a protein that may be helpful in this context, as it plays an important role in joint health .
In this article, we'll look at how collagen can help strengthen joints and reduce joint pain . We will also look at where to find collagen and what is the best collagen for joint pain relief.
What is collagen and what is its role?
Collagen is a fiber protein present in the human body which plays an important role in the structure and strength of several tissues. Here are some details on the roles of collagen:
- Collagen is the main constituent of the skin: it gives the skin its firmness and resistance. It also helps maintain skin elasticity , allowing it to contract and relax without tearing.
- Collagen is present in bones: it contributes to the strength and resistance of bones . It is also present in tendons and ligaments, which connect bones together and allow joints to move fluidly.
- Collagen is involved in wound healing , forming a “cement” that helps hold cells in place during healing.
Even though this protein is produced by the body, its production decreases with age, from the age of 25.
This leads to a loss of firmness and elasticity of the skin, as well as problems with joint strength and flexibility. To find out more, do not hesitate to consult our collagen guide .
How collagen can support joints and combat joint pain?
Collagen plays an important role in joint health . Here are some details on the different ways this protein can help relieve joint pain:
Collagen strengthens cartilage
Cartilage is a specialized tissue that covers the ends of bones and allows joints to move smoothly. It helps maintain the strength and elasticity of cartilage, which can help reduce joint pain.
Collagen protects joints
This fiber forms a sort of “cushion” around the joints, which protects them from shocks and excessive pressure. This protection can help prevent joint pain.
Collagen promotes joint repair
When a joint is damaged (for example, following an injury or degenerative disease such as osteoarthritis), collagen can help with tissue repair and healing. This can help relieve joint pain and improve mobility.
Please note, it is important to note that collagen does not cure joint pain alone. It may be helpful to complement a collagen treatment with other measures (such as physiotherapy, exercise or taking anti-inflammatory medications) to effectively relieve joint pain .
What is the best type of collagen for joints?
Several types of collagen can be used for joints, each with its own properties. Here are the types of collagen to favor:
Type I collagen
Type I collagen is the most abundant type of collagen in the body. It is mainly present in connective tissues such as skin, tendons and ligaments. It has high tensile strength and contributes to the strength and stability of joints .
Type II collagen
This type of collagen is most abundant in the joints and is particularly important for the health of cartilage and in particular to act on joint pain. Type II collagen is one of the main constituents of cartilage and contributes to its strength and flexibility.
Type III collagen
Type III collagen is also present in connective tissues, but it is less abundant than type I collagen.
It is mainly present in blood vessels , internal organs and soft tissues, including joints . Type III collagen has a more flexible structure than type I collagen, which explains its importance for the flexibility and elasticity of joints .
We recommend you
Marine Collagen Powder
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen powder type I & III.
- ✅ Fine powder easy to dissolve
- ✅ Available in 3 flavors
- ✅ 1 month of treatment
- ✅ Made in France 🇫🇷
How to choose a dietary supplement of collagen powder for joints?
The origin of collagen: marine or bovine
There is no conclusive evidence that one type of collagen (marine or bovine) is superior to the other in terms of joint benefits . Marine collagen is obtained from fish, while bovine collagen is obtained from beef. Both types of collagen contain similar amino acids and may benefit joint health.
Nevertheless, marine collagen is often considered the best source of collagen , because it is better absorbed by the body and has better bioavailability than bovine collagen. This better absorption is due to its lower molecular weight which allows it to penetrate the bloodstream more quickly.
If you have dietary preferences or restrictions, this may also influence your choice of collagen supplement. For example, if you are vegetarian, you might prefer marine collagen.
The type of collagen
If you want to take a food supplement based on collagen for the joints , we advise you to opt for a formula combining type I and type III.
Indeed, together, type I collagen and type III collagen play an important role in joint health by contributing to their strength, stability and flexibility. Adequate levels of these types of collagen are important for maintaining joint health, including relieving symptoms of joint pain and preventing injuries and premature wear and tear.
The dosage
There is no specific collagen dosage recommended for strengthening joints. Most collagen powder supplements contain daily doses ranging from 5 to 15 g per day. Of course, quantity isn't everything. You also need to check the quality!
Manufacturing quality
Proprietary Collagen is a type of collagen that is manufactured using exacting processes to improve its bioavailability and absorption by the body. This means that it is considered more effective in providing health benefits than standard grade collagen.
At Novoma, for our type I and III Marine Collagen , we favor patented Naticol® collagen .
This has been the subject of scientific studies proving its action on the joints. Indeed, carried out over 12 weeks, they have proven: a reduction in joint pain of 43%, a reduction of 44% in movement difficulties and an increase of 33% in physical performance in the SPPB "Short Physical Performance Battery" test.
We recommend you
Marine Collagen Powder
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen powder type I, II & III.
- ✅ Fine powder easy to dissolve
- ✅ Available in 3 flavors
- ✅ 1 month of treatment
- ✅ Made in France 🇫🇷
Galenics (capsules, powder, etc.)
Collagen food supplements are most often offered in two forms, capsules or powder.
Each galenic offers its own advantages and disadvantages:
Liquid
✅ Advantages : Ease of use, because the liquid is pre-dosed and ready to consume. It can be absorbed more quickly by the body and can be mixed with other ingredients to create drinks or smoothies.
⛔ Disadvantages : May require refrigeration to maintain quality and freshness. The taste may not appeal to everyone.
👨👩👧👦 Who is it for : People who prefer a ready-to-drink option and don't need personalized doses.
Powder
✅ Advantages : You can measure the amount of collagen you want to add to your drink or food. Powder is often more economical than other forms of collagen. They can be stored for a long time (protected from sunlight, humidity and heat).
⛔ Disadvantages : Must be mixed with liquid before consumption. Texture or taste may not suit everyone.
👨👩👧👦 Who is it for : People looking to personalize their dosage or save money.
Capsules
✅ Advantages : Softgels are generally more convenient to use because they are pre-dosed and can be swallowed with water or another liquid. There is no taste or texture to consider. They can be stored for a long time (protected from sunlight, humidity and heat).
⛔ Disadvantages : May be more expensive than powder. The dose cannot be personalized.
👨👩👧👦 Who is it for : People who live an active lifestyle and need a convenient option for traveling or to quickly get their collagen dose.
Hydrolyzed or standard collagen?
Hydrolyzed collagen is a form of collagen that has been processed so that its proteins are separated into shorter chains, called peptides. This makes the collagen more easily absorbable by the body.
For optimal effects, we therefore advise you to opt for a collagen hydrolyzate.
You now have all the keys in hand to treat your joints and regain joint comfort!
Lucas PINOS
Co-founder of NOVOMA
Passionate and expert in micro-nutrition, Lucas founded Novoma in 2012. It is with conviction that he develops food supplements with effective, carefully chosen and 100% clean active ingredients, to best meet the body's needs.
