Collagen is a naturally occurring protein present in animals and humans.
It is the main structural protein in the skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, and blood vessels.
Human studies have shown that natural collagen levels in skin deplete rapidly as we age [1].
Collagen is catergorised based on how the molecules are assembled.
The different types are distinguished with roman numerals.
Type I: densely packed to provide structure to skin, bones, tendons and ligaments.
Type II: found in elastic cartilage which provides joint support.
Type III: found in muscles, arteries and organs
Type V: found in the the eye cornea, skin & hair
Type X: found in joints and bones
Collagen can be extracted from various biological sources, typically from what might be considered food waste that doesn't make it into a dogs every day diet.
Commercially, collagen is usually produced from bovine, seafood, porcine or eggshell sources.
Typically collagen is extracted through a process of pre-treatment (cleaning & size reduction) followed by the extraction process using either precipitation, centrifugation, dialysis and then an enzymatic process resulting in collagen peptides ready to be freeze dried to a powder form.
Collagen peptide supplements are used across a range of applications including wound care, pharmaceuticals, biomedical services and the cosmetic market.
Typically seafood sources produce type I collagen.
Bovine/Porcine primarily yields type II & type III.
Eggshell membrane produces type V & type X collagen.
Collagen peptides are especially rich in the amino acids proline, glycine and hydroxyproline [2].
Collagen peptide supplements have been shown to be digested as both amino acids and dipeptides, which allows for rapid absorption in the body [3, 4]
Collagen is considered non toxic [6] with no negative impact to the liver or kidneys of canines [7].
This study concluded that collagen supplementation was effective in reducing pain and improving mobility gait in exercised Labrador Retrievers [5].
The journal of Animal Studies published a trial showing Labrador retrievers supplemented with type II collagen had decreased inflammation and cartilage degeneration compared to non-supplemented dogs after exercise [8].
Deparle et al. performed a 120 day study on arthritic dogs and found that daily treatment of arthritic dogs with collagen ameliorates signs and symptoms of arthritis. Following collagen withdrawal for a period of 30 days, all dogs experienced a relapse of overall pain, exercise-associated lameness, and pain upon limb manipulation [9].
As published in Science Direct this study evaluated the clinical efficacy of collagen compared to cimicoxib (NSAID) and to them combined. They concluded that collagen provides a significant reduction in symptoms associated with pain and mobility impairment in dogs affected by natural occurring OA.
Gupta et al. found that moderately arthritic dogs treated with collagen showed a marked reduction in arthritic pain with maximum improvement by day 120. This study also determined that the overall activity of dogs supplemented with Collagen was significantly better than those with glucosamine and chondroitin [11].
Collagen supplementation has been shown to reduce inflammation and relieve arthritic pain in dogs.
Short term studies have shown collagen as having an equivalent efficacy on arthritis pain compared to NSAIDs.
Further, studies have shown that the benefits of collagen are typically visible around week 3 with benefits compounding over time. Studies haven't yet extended beyond 120 days. Based on customer feedback we believe future longer term studies will show further increasing efficacy over extended time periods and that collagen represents a natural alternative for long term use to protect dogs joints and reduce inflammation.
Aside from these clinical studies please see our customer reviews and customer stories.
