Collagen Protocol

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, making up about 30% of all protein. It provides structure to your skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. As you age, your body produces less collagen - starting around age 25, production drops by about 1-1.5% per year, leading to wrinkles, joint stiffness, and weaker bones.

Collagen supplements come in two main forms - hydrolysed collagen (also called collagen peptides or collagen hydrolysate) and undenatured collagen. Hydrolysed collagen has been broken down into smaller peptides that get absorbed into your bloodstream and reach tissues like joints and skin. Undenatured collagen works differently through your immune system and needs much lower doses.

Research shows collagen supplementation significantly relieves osteoarthritis symptoms, with a 2025 meta-analysis of 11 trials involving 870 participants finding meaningful improvements in both function and pain scores. The effects were statistically significant, with substantial reductions in pain and notable gains in joint function.

For skin health, a clinical trial of 52 women aged 40-60 taking hydrolysed collagen for 56 days showed measurable improvements - skin hydration increased from 50.0 to 56.8, elasticity improved from 0.604 to 0.651, and wrinkle depth decreased, all with statistical significance. Over half the participants saw improvements in skin softness and firmness.

Reduces joint pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis. A meta-analysis found collagen treatment significantly decreased the total WOMAC index (a standard measure of osteoarthritis symptoms) and visual pain scale scores. The improvements in overall symptoms and stiffness were meaningful for people managing osteoarthritis daily.

Relieves activity-related joint pain in athletes. A 24-week study of 97 athletes with joint pain showed six parameters improved significantly with collagen compared to placebo. For athletes with knee pain specifically, the improvements were even stronger, with pain at rest reducing at a significance level of p=0.001. This was the first long-term trial showing joint pain improvement in physically active people.

Improves skin hydration, elasticity, and reduces wrinkles. Clinical trials show measurable improvements in skin moisturisation, firmness, and smoothness after 8 weeks of supplementation. Wrinkle depth decreases and skin elasticity increases, with over half of participants experiencing visible improvements in skin quality and firmness by day 56.

Supports joint tissue health through multiple mechanisms. Hydrolysed collagen contains bioactive peptides that reach joint tissues and stimulate cartilage matrix production. Most studied collagen formulations show positive outcomes for joint function improvement with no safety concerns, though the specific composition matters for effectiveness.