Collagen peptides and bone density in postmenopausal women
What it found
In postmenopausal women with reduced bone density, taking 5 g of specific collagen peptides daily for 12 months increased bone mineral density in the spine and hip.
The placebo group lost a small amount of bone density over the same period.
What they found
Studies in people
Bone density change
In the collagen group, bone density increased by almost 3.0% in the spine and 6.7% in the femoral neck. In the placebo group, bone density decreased by 1.3% in the spine and 1.0% in the femoral neck.
Bone formation marker
A blood marker of bone formation, P1NP, increased significantly in the collagen group. It did not change in the placebo group.
Bone breakdown marker
A blood marker of bone breakdown, CTX 1, increased significantly in the placebo group. It did not change in the collagen group.
Side effects and safety
No adverse events were noted, and blood safety parameters showed no clinically relevant changes over the 12 months. Blood pressure was significantly lower in the collagen group after the intervention, while it remained constant in the placebo group.
Diet and physical activity
Vitamin D intake was lower than recommended in both groups before and after the study. Protein and fat intakes were above reference values. Physical activity tended to increase but the change was not significant.
What the authors conclude
“These data demonstrate that the intake of SCP increased BMD in postmenopausal women with primary, age-related reduction of BMD.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that supplementation with 5 g of specific collagen peptides significantly increases bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck as well as blood levels of the bone marker P1NP in postmenopausal women with age-related decline in BMD.
- They state that the collagen supplementation was associated with a favorable shift in bone markers, indicating increased bone formation and reduced bone degradation.
- They advise that more and larger human studies are needed, as well as data on optimal timing, dosage and longer-term effects.
How it was done
Earlier studies in rodents and in lab tests suggested that collagen peptides might help bone formation and increase bone mineral density. The authors wanted to test this in postmenopausal women over a longer period.
They enrolled 131 postmenopausal women aged 46 to 80 with reduced bone mineral density. The women were randomly assigned to take either 5 g of specific collagen peptides or a placebo (maltodextrin) daily for 12 months. Bone density was measured at the start and end of the study, and blood markers of bone formation and breakdown were analysed.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial tested one specific collagen peptide product at a dose of 5 g daily for 12 months. The results may not apply to other collagen products, doses or durations.
- The study cannot show whether the increase in bone density reduces the risk of bone fractures.
- The women in the study had reduced bone density but not osteoporosis with high fracture risk. The findings may not apply to women with more severe bone loss.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Daniel König, Steffen Oesser, Stephan Scharla, Denise Zdzieblik and Albert Gollhofer declare that they have no conflict of interest.
- Authors work at
- University of Freiburg, Germany; Collagen Research Institute GmbH, Germany
The paper
- Title
- Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-A Randomized Controlled Study
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- König D, Oesser S, Scharla S, Zdzieblik D, Gollhofer A (2018). Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-A Randomized Controlled Study. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu10010097Free full textPubMed 29337906DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error