A new study shows that the protein supplement holds promise, though more research needs to be done.
If you've spent any time online following wellness influencers, you've probably heard about collagen. It's long been a buzzy supplement, promoted for everything from anti-aging to weight loss to joint health. But could it help your ulcerative colitis (UC)? New research from China finds that collagen peptides -- a supplement comprised of small bits of proteins from animal collagen, a component of cartilage, bone, and skin -- may hold promise as a future therapeutic agent for the inflammatory gastrointestinal (GI) condition.
A new paper in the journal npj Science of Food looked at the effects of fish-derived collagen peptides against cells affected by ulcerative colitis inflammation in vitro (meaning in a petri dish/test tube) and in vivo (in an animal). In the in vitro study, inflammation was induced in cells that then had various doses of collagen peptides added to them.
In the animal study, mice were given various doses of collagen, followed by a solution meant to induce colitis. They were compared to a control group, as well as a group that just got the colitis-inducing solution, and a group given a standard UC drug (mesalazine). The researchers then analyzed their colons for inflammation and took fecal samples to look at their microbiome.
The results were promising. In vitro, cells treated with collagen exhibited less inflammation. In mice, treatment with collagen peptides reduced the secretion of proinflammatory proteins, reduced tissue damage in the colon, and improved bacterial balance in the colon, increasing beneficial microbes and decreasing harmful ones. Mice in the treatment group showed improvements in their gut microbiomes, to the point where they more closely resembled the microbiomes of the healthy mice. The results also showed that collagen peptides helped maintain the gut barrier, possibly helping to prevent further intestinal damage in UC. Overall, the mice in the study who were given the collagen peptides had lower scores on a disease activity index (associated with the severity of their UC) compared to the group that didn't receive the supplement.
The study authors reported that based on their findings, collagen peptides could potentially one day be an effective tool in helping to manage UC. That day, though, hasn't arrived yet, as it's still too early to come to conclusions about collagen and ulcerative colitis in humans, says study author Yan Wang, a researcher with the College of Agriculture at Yanbian University in Yanji, China. "While our research has uncovered preliminary insights into how collagen peptides may interact with inflammatory pathways in ulcerative colitis (UC), the molecular mechanisms remain an active area of investigation," Wang says.
As the study authors stressed, the fact that the mice with UC saw improvements when they were given collagen peptides doesn't necessarily mean that humans will respond to collagen supplements in the same way. "Translating observed anti-inflammatory effects into clinical benefits for UC patients requires rigorous evaluation in human trials, which are not yet part of the study," says Wang.
However, some practitioners do find that the supplements can be a helpful addition to a UC management plan -- for some people. First, collagen contains protein, so it can be one way to increase your protein intake, if recommended. And, "collagen generally has anti-inflammatory potential, based on research, as well as my own personal and clinical experience working with collagen peptides," says Jenna Volpe, R.D.N., a functional gut health dietitian and founder of Whole-istic Living in Austin, TX. One possible reason: One of the primary amino acids in collagen is glycine. Volpe points to earlier preliminary research that glycine may help reduce intestinal inflammation and protect intestinal cells from damage. (Previous research on collagen in mice with UC noted the same thing.) In addition, collagen may act as a type of prebiotic that improves the health of the gut microbiome. (Prebiotics are foods that nourish the beneficial bacteria in your gut, boosting their population.)
But collagen is far from a cure-all. Volpe emphasizes that collagen and other supplements are not a replacement for other diet and lifestyle interventions and medical treatments like medication or procedures that your healthcare team recommends for you. And, they don't always work for everyone. "I have recommended collagen peptides for some of my clients with IBD and ulcerative colitis, and I have seen mixed -- but mostly positive -- results," says Volpe, who reports that some have actually had increased gut symptoms when on a collagen supplement. "Each person's gut is as unique as their fingerprint. We can't make a blanket statement or claim that collagen is anti-inflammatory for everyone," she says.
If you're interested in starting collagen supplements, get pointed advice from a provider. If they give you the go-ahead, also ask about the dose to start with and how to increase. When Volpe works with a person with IBD who is introducing collagen, she recommends starting at a one teaspoon dose (about five grams) and increasing over a few weeks to 15 to 30 grams per day as tolerated. Collagen powders can be added to coffee or tea, oatmeal, yogurt, and smoothies, she says. You can also buy collagen supplements as a capsule or in gummy form.