Fortigel®

The label :

Fortigel® is a unique bioactive collagen peptide supplement developed by the German company Gelita, used for the purpose of activating cartilage metabolism and whose effectiveness has been scientifically proven in numerous studies.

Composition :

Fortigel® is a natural bioactive collagen peptide supplement containing Bioactive Collagen Peptides®, a composition of different specific peptides optimized to maximize the stimulation of human cell types involved in collagen biosynthesis. The exact composition of the product is not specifically described but as in all hydrolyzed collagen, it contains about twenty different amino acids including 3 specific ones which are glycine, proline and hydroxyproline which target the production of new collagen in the body. 'organization. Collagen peptides are hydrolyzed collagen, that is to say, "pre-digested" proteins that are found in the form of chains of free and easily absorbable amino acids. Once absorbed, they allow the formation of cartilage tissue and also the repair of cartilage tissue damaged by wear and tear caused by friction, aging and daily stress on the joints. The specificity of Fortigel® is that the collagen peptides have been chosen with the aim of maximizing the stimulation of a type of human cells in particular, namely the chondrocytes, cells which produce cartilage and synthesize collagen.

Function :

Collagen is the main protein of connective tissues (supporting tissue that protects the organs it surrounds) and the most abundant in the body (30% of total proteins). Its main functions are to ensure the cohesion of all tissues, to guarantee the elasticity and integrity of the skin, cartilage, tendons and ligaments as well as bones. During natural aging, the synthesis of collagen slows down, leading to a progressive degradation of collagen fibers (the skin thins and wrinkles appear, loss of bone mass, joint pain due to loss of cartilage, etc.) Collagen, unlike all the others sources of protein, has a very specific composition of amino acids which gives it unique functional properties. These amino acids provided in large proportion (glycine and proline/hydroxyproline) are those found in the skin, bones and joints of the human body, which explains its specific action on these tissues.

At the level of the skin, the collagen fibers help maintain the structure and firmness of the skin as well as the stability of elastin (guaranteeing the elasticity of the skin) and hyaluronic acid (guaranteeing the hydration). Since the activity of collagen-producing cells decreases with age, the supply of collagen peptides therefore allows these functions to be maintained. A clinical trial ¹ showed that supplementation with collagen peptides increased skin hydration, decreased fragmentation (deterioration) of collagen in the deep layers of the skin over time and at the same time increased the density of the collagen fiber layer.

At the bone level, collagen peptides stimulate osteoblasts (cells responsible for bone formation) without affecting osteoclasts (cells that resorb bone tissue) ^2,3,4 . Thus, collagen would promote the renewal of bone tissue while preserving its mineral density and improving its solidity and resistance over time.

At the cartilage level, a study ⁵ conducted by the Collagen Research Institute (CRI), showed that supplementation with collagen peptides stimulated cartilage cell metabolism (stimulation of chondrocytes) and increased the production of aggrecan, a proteoglycan essential for cartilage function. Bioactive collagen peptides would therefore make it possible to stimulate the synthesis and regeneration of the extracellular cartilaginous matrix and to delay the onset of pain, sensitivity or stiffness of the joints associated with age and sport.

Finally, collagen has secondary functions such as preserving the health of hair and nails. Indeed, collagen peptides are used by cells to produce keratin (protein that makes up hair and nails).

How is Fortigel® different from others? :

First, Fortigel® is an ingredient that provides specific and optimized collagen peptides. There are different forms of collagen (native collagen for example) but the most effective products are those that contain collagen peptides. Indeed, the hydrolyzation of long chains of amino acids into much shorter chains allows better absorption and use by the body. Here, the collagen peptides contained in Fortigel® are specific and allow, for example, a partial survival to digestion and therefore the crossing of the intestinal barrier while remaining intact.

Second, the peptides in Fortigel® stand out for their high concentration of proline and glycine, which form bonds that are more resistant to degradation by digestive enzymes. In addition, they maintain their unique, longer and thinner helix structure which improves stability and favorable folding properties which facilitate their absorption. It is estimated that approximately 10% of the collagen peptides offered by the GELITA brand remain intact at the time of digestion, which demonstrates effective bioavailability, penetration into the bloodstream and direct stimulation of connective tissue cells. The other peptides are broken down into amino acids used as building blocks for the various other tissues. Additionally, Fortigel® has been designed to contain specific collagen peptides that induce chondrocytes to increase their production of cartilage, making it a specific collagen supplement for cartilage tissue health.

The specific collagen peptides in Fortigel® help, when left intact, stimulate connective tissue cells to produce new collagen and serve as building blocks for new connective tissue when digested as amino acids.

Finally, its effectiveness has been proven in various studies, which justifies its high quality and its place among the best collagen supplements on the market.

In a first study ⁶ , the CRI demonstrated at the cellular level that Fortigel® allowed an increase in aggrecan and the synthesis of type II collagen, which are essential for the mechanical and elastic properties of cartilaginous tissues. This study is also complementary to a second ⁷ (randomized double-blind clinical study controlled against placebo) carried out by Harvard Medical School and Tufts Medical Center which had studied the long-term effect of treatment with Fortigel® on the composition of hyaline cartilage in people with early osteoarthritis of the knee. Cartilage analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in proteoglycan density compared to the placebo group. These results showed the regenerative effect of Fortigel® on the cartilage of the knee joint.

Fortigel® has shown in two different studies its ability to stimulate cartilage cell metabolism and promote cartilage regeneration by counteracting wear induced by time.

In a second study ⁸ (randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study) carried out at Penn State University , a significant difference in favor of Fortigel® on pain perception was shown between the supplemented groups and the placebo groups ( subjects were all athletes with joint pain). It was concluded that supplementation with Fortigel® resulted in improved mobility.

A third study ⁹ conducted by the University of Freiburg, Germany (placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical study) showed the effectiveness of a daily intake of Fortigel® on pain (40% reduction), stiffness and physical function of young athletes with activity-related joint pain. Moreover, this effect was even more pronounced after longer treatment (6-12 weeks).

Fortigel® has shown in different studies carried out in people with activity-related joint pain, a decrease in pain, stiffness and an improvement in the mobility and physical functions of the joints.

Finally, in the context of osteoarthritis, Fortigel®, unlike other substances that focus on short-term pain relief, can treat the root causes of cartilage degeneration, making it a potential ally against the development of the disease.

What the Fortigel® label guarantees:

Clinical research:

• Numerous studies support its positive effects on the health of cartilage tissue (better mobility, reduction of pain, increase in the regeneration of cartilage tissue, stimulation of cartilage cells and collagen producers, etc.)

 

Product quality:

• Natural proteins without odor or taste with very good solubility,
• No presence of additives,
• High digestibility,
• non-allergenic foods,
• Hydrolyzed Peptides Specifically Selected to Support Healthy Cartilage

 

Accreditation and certification:

• In the process of ISO 14001 certification (for environmentally friendly manufacturing)
• Compliance with the ISO50001 standard (energy management system)
• Responsible employer policy, commitment to greater animal welfare (first active ingredient producer member of the Animal Welfare Initiative)

References :

1. Asserin, J., et al. (2015). The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. PDF
2. Guillerminet, F., et al. (2010). Collagen Peptides Improves Bone Metabolism and Biomechanical Parameters in Ovarietomized Mice: An In-Vitro and In Vivo Study, Bone , 46, 827-834 PDF
3. Guillerminet, F., et al. (2012). Hydrolyzed collagen improves bone status and prevents bone loss in ovariectomized C3H/HeN mice. Osteoporosis International 23(7), 1909-1919. PDF
4. Danault, A., et al. (2015). Biological effect of hydrolyzed collagen on bone metabolism. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 10, 1040-8398 . PDF
5. Oesser, S., et al. (2003). Stimulation of type II collagen biosynthesis and secretion in bovine chondrocytes cultured with degraded collagen. Cell Tissue Res, 311(3), 393‐ PDF
6. Oesser, S. , et al . (2007). Osteoarthritis Cartilage , 15: C61-C62, 94.
7. McAlindon, TE., et al. (2011). Change in knee osteoarthritis cartilage detected by delayed gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging following treatment with collagen hydrolysate: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 19(4), 399-405 . PDF
8. Clark, KL., et al. (2008 ). 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolyzate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Curr Med Res Opin, 24(5),1485‐ PDF
9. Zdzieblik, D., et al. (2017). Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides [published correction appears in Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, 42(6), 588‐ PDF OK