Evidence supporting the use of: Bovine
For the body system: Skeletal System (Bones)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Bovine-derived ingredients, particularly bovine bone and cartilage, are used in supplements intended to support the skeletal system due to their content of minerals (such as calcium and phosphorus), collagen, and other growth factors. Scientific evidence supports the use of bovine bone extracts as a source of bioavailable calcium and collagen, both essential for bone health. Hydrolyzed bovine collagen, for instance, has been shown in some clinical studies to promote bone mineral density and improve markers of bone formation, especially in postmenopausal women and individuals at risk for osteoporosis. The mechanism involves the supply of amino acids necessary for collagen synthesis, which is crucial for bone matrix structure and strength. Bovine bone meal, once popular as a calcium source, has declined in use due to safety concerns (notably bovine spongiform encephalopathy), but purified forms are still available. However, while there is moderate evidence that bovine collagen peptides can positively affect bone health, the effect sizes are typically modest, and not all studies show strong benefits. The overall quality of evidence is limited by small sample sizes and study durations. Therefore, while bovine-derived ingredients do have scientific support for supporting skeletal health, they should not be considered replacements for established bone health strategies such as sufficient dietary calcium, vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercise.
Other ingredients that support Skeletal System (Bones)
AchyranthesAlfalfa
Algae
Algas calcareas
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
animal protein
antler
arugula
baicalein
beef
bone marrow
bone protein
boneset
boron
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
bovine protein
broccoli
Buckwheat
calcium
cartilage
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese pond turtle
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chondroitin
chuchuhuasi
Cissus quadrangularis
citrate malate
cod liver oil
collagen
collard
comfrey
Corallina officinalis
cruciferous
daidzein
deer velvet
devil's claw
Dipsacus
dolomite
Drynaria
egg
elk antler
estrogen
eucommia
Eucommia ulmoides
fibroblast growth factor
fish
fish protein
Foxtail millet
fructoborate
genistein
genistin
Glycosaminoglycans
green-lipped mussel
herbal blend (proprietary)
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horse gram
horsetail
hydroxyproline
icariin
Indian frankincense
ipriflavone
isoflavones
Kaempferol
Ledebouriella
Legume protein
Lithothamnion
magnesium
manganese
Microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC)
Milk
Milk Protein
Mineral blend
Molasses
Osthole
Peptides
phosphorus
Phytoestrogens
Polygonatum
protein
proteoglycans
prune
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
seaweed
sesame
Shilajit
silicon
Sinomenium acutum
solomon's seal
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
Spatholobus
spinach
strontium
Taxillus chinensis
Taxillus sutchuenensis
trace minerals
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin K
