Branded collagen peptides, Fortigel, may support exercise-induced knee pain says recent study

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A recent study published in Nutrients¹ found that supplementation with a specific collagen peptides (Fortigel from Gelita; Eberbach, Germany) significantly reduced exercise-induced knee pain. In the study, 180 active men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 dealing with exercise-related knee pain, and no diagnosed joint disease were given either 5 grams of the collagen peptide or placebo every day for 12 weeks. The primary outcome observed by researchers was the change in pain during or after exercise pre- and post-intervention which was assessed by subjects using the Visual Analog Scale. Additionally, these changes were evaluated by a physician. The secondary outcome was pain under resting conditions and after 20 squats.

Results showed that subjects taking the collagen peptides experienced a significantly higher reduction in exercise-induced knee pain compared to the placebo group which was consistent with the physician’s examination. There were no significant differences between group in pain reductions under resting conditions. The results confirm previous findings from a study published in 2017.²

“Fortigel is the most clinically-studied Bioactive Collagen Peptides, for 30 years. Over 20 studies, involving more than 2,500 participants, contributed to develop Fortigel and prove the product’s positive effects to joint health,” says Stephan Hausmanns, Gelita’s vice president of health and nutrition, in a press release. “So far, no other collagen peptide solution on the market has been able to offer an alternative to Fortigel, backed by science.”

Reference

1. Zdzieblik D et al. “The influence of specific bioactive collagen peptides on knee joint discomfort in young physically active adults: a randomized controlled trial.” Nutrients, vol. 13 (2021): 523
2. Zdzieblik D et al. “Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides.” Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, vol. 42, no. 6 (2017)