Healthy Joints, Improved Mobility & Flexibility : AN EVOLVING MARKET
The world’s population is ageing. Advances in healthcare and lifestyle improvements have contributed to increased longevity but as we age, our muscles, bones and joints can be impacted. In fact, 45% of individuals aged over 65 say they experience joint pain, which may affect their overall mobility and independence. However, senior consumers are no longer taking mobility limitations sitting down. There is also an increasing interest in keeping fit and active as we age, with consumers starting to take a more proactive approach to protecting their joint health.
And it is not just the ageing population that are taking joint health more seriously. Several reports have shown that people who regularly play sport, the 40-plus population and women experiencing menopause also suffer joint discomfort or mobility issues. These trends have given significant momentum to the joint health sector and are a major driving force in the emergence of innovative joint health solutions. Between 2019 and 2024, it is forecast that the global bone and joint ingredients market will grow at a CAGR of 6.3% to meet this demand.
Collagen For Joint Health, What Do You Say?
Glucosamine and chondroitin , the pioneer active ingredients for joint health. Collagen has slowly picking up the game and been rapidly gaining market share as a result of rising consumer awareness of the health benefits it delivers. According to recent market data, sales in the joint health market increased by 4.3 % in 2018 in the US alone, largely driven by a boost in collagen sales, which increased by 30%. As a result, the joint health category has experienced its highest overall growth since 2008.
Native Type II Collagen vs Hydrolysed Type II Collagen.
Both native (undenatured) type II collagen and hydrolysed (denatured) collagen have long been used in commercial joint health products, but do you know the significant differences between the two forms?
Naturally, collagen has a folded triple helix structure consisting long polypeptide chains. Hydrolysed collagen underwent hydrolysis process, where enzymes “cut” the triple helix molecule into smaller pieces, i.e. short-chain peptides. This is why hydrolysed collagen is also known as collagen peptides, or denatured type II collagen. Native type II collagen is not hydrolysed and still maintaining its characteristic three-dimensional structure.
1 Collagen, 2 Types, 2 Mechanisms
Colla2Gen, Native (undenatured) type II collagen works via an immune-mediated process, known as oral tolerance. Through this mode of action, Colla2Gen is recognized by the immune system as a known substance and deactivates the body’s immune response against its own collagen. Alternatively, hydrolysed collagen peptides are highly bioavailable, resulting in a source of the specific amino acids for de novo synthesis of collagen. As such, hydrolysed collagen peptides act as building blocks to maintain and rebuild cartilage.
What is the roles of Immune System in Joint Health?
Joint disorders involving inflammation and cartilage erosion, such as arthritic diseases, are characterized by an autoimmune component in which the immune system acts against the body’s own type II collagen. Generally, Osteoarthritis (OA) were known as a degenerative, wear-and-tear disease. Recent scientific research then identified it as an immunopathological disease – in other words, a disease in which the immune system plays a key role.
That is because in OA, products from collagen breakdown can be recognized by immune cells as potentially harmful. As a consequence, an immune response against collagen is activated, leading to inflammation and cartilage degradation, further damaging the joints.
Efficacy at Low Doses
As compared to hydrolyzed collagen needing uo to 10g/day, Colla2Gen is recommended at doses as low as 600 mg/day. The low dosage required for native type II collagen therefore mirrors consumer demand for easy to-consume, convenient products, offering an innovative alternative to supplement manufacturers.
