Collagen Supplement Boosts Bone Health in Female Runners
A four-week study found that daily collagen peptide supplements increased bone formation markers by 5.1% in female distance runners, while reducing inflammatory protein levels. The study, involving 22 runners aged 18-35, showed no adverse effects. Researchers from four US universities conducted the trial, which aims to help prevent bone stress injuries common among female athletes.
Key points
- A four-week study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that 20 grams of collagen peptides per day increased bone formation markers by 5.1% in female distance runners.
- The study, involving 22 female runners aged 18-35, showed a drop in inflammatory protein levels, while the placebo group saw no change.
- Researchers from Fitchburg State University, University of Connecticut, Mayo Clinic Health System, and George Mason University conducted the trial.
- The study aims to help prevent bone stress injuries common among female athletes, which affect 30-60% of competitive runners and twice as many female athletes as males.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition has shed light on the potential benefits of collagen supplements for female distance runners. The four-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 22 female runners aged 18-35 who ran at least 35 miles per week. The participants were divided into two groups: one received 20 grams of collagen peptides per day, while the other received a placebo.
The results showed that the collagen group experienced a significant increase in bone formation markers, with a 5.1% rise in P1NP, a blood marker of bone formation. In contrast, the placebo group saw no such change. Additionally, the collagen group showed a drop in IL-6, an inflammatory protein linked to bone breakdown, while the placebo levels held steady or rose.
The study, conducted by researchers from Fitchburg State University, University of Connecticut, Mayo Clinic Health System, and George Mason University, aims to help prevent bone stress injuries common among female athletes. According to published research, 30-60% of competitive runners experience a bone stress injury at some point, and female athletes face roughly twice the risk of male athletes.
While the study's findings are promising, further research is needed to confirm the long-term effects of collagen supplements on bone health. Nonetheless, the results provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of collagen supplements for female distance runners.
Sources
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