Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Collagen is a structural protein that forms a major component of connective tissues in the body, including cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and intervertebral (spinal) disks. The rationale for supplementing with collagen to support spinal disk health is based on the fact that spinal disks contain collagen fibers, primarily type I and type II. There is emerging scientific interest in whether oral collagen supplements can improve the health of connective tissues, but direct clinical evidence specifically linking collagen supplementation to spinal disk health or regeneration in humans is limited. Most existing studies on collagen supplementation focus on its effects on joint pain, osteoarthritis, and skin health. A few animal studies and in vitro experiments suggest that collagen peptides may stimulate extracellular matrix production and support the integrity of intervertebral disk tissue. However, robust human clinical trials demonstrating improved spinal disk structure or function after collagen supplementation are lacking as of 2024. Some small-scale studies indicate that hydrolyzed collagen may have beneficial effects on back pain, but these are indirect and not specific to disk repair. Overall, the use of collagen to support spinal disk health is plausible based on the biological role of collagen in disks and limited preclinical research. However, there is insufficient high-quality, direct scientific evidence in humans to strongly validate this use, resulting in a moderate evidence rating.

More about Collagen (unspecified)
More about Spinal Disks

Other ingredients that support Spinal Disks

Other body systems supported by Collagen (unspecified)

Products containing Collagen (unspecified)