Synopsis

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

Gelatin has gained some scientific attention for its potential role in supporting tendon health, particularly in the context of tendonitis. Gelatin is derived from collagen, the primary structural protein in tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues. The rationale behind using gelatin is that consuming collagen peptides may provide the building blocks (amino acids) necessary for tendon repair and regeneration. A small but growing body of research suggests that gelatin supplementation, especially when combined with vitamin C and exercise, might enhance collagen synthesis in tendons.

One of the most cited studies is by Shaw et al. (2017), published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which demonstrated that consuming vitamin C–enriched gelatin before intermittent exercise increased collagen synthesis in human subjects. However, these findings are preliminary and primarily based on short-term laboratory studies and not large-scale clinical trials. There is limited direct evidence showing that gelatin supplementation significantly improves symptoms or outcomes in tendonitis specifically.

While some athletes and clinicians use gelatin or collagen supplements based on these mechanistic and early interventional studies, the overall evidence base remains limited. As such, while there is a scientific rationale and some promising early data, more robust clinical trials are needed to definitively establish efficacy for tendonitis treatment or prevention.

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