Limited physical performance, muscle loss, the depletion of structural proteins in the skin, bones and cartilage, as well as degenerative joint diseases, are just a few of the problems associated with aging. People who want to stay fit and healthy as they grow older have several options — from sports and lifestyle interventions to the use of preventive nutrients.

Older people often complain of feeling their age “in their bones.” And, despite considerable medical progress, there is still no cure for osteoarthritis and only a few therapeutic remedies to treat the disease. GELITA is on mission to give these people a helping hand! Comprising optimized collagen peptides, GELITA’s FORTIGEL^® has been scientifically proven to stimulate the measurable synthesis of cartilage tissue. Thus, it counteracts the wear and tear on joints caused by aging and excessive weight bearing.

With more than 25% of the population suffering from joint problems, FORTIGEL^® provides an important therapeutic opportunity, particularly as an effective treatment for those suffering from osteoarthritis — the most common problem affecting human joints, causing pain, instability, weakness and a reduced range of motion. Taken orally, FORTIGEL^® effectively combats the progressive degeneration of cartilage tissue. Its considerable advantage compared with other ingredients typically offered to improve joint conditions is that it treats the actual cause of the problems rather than just the symptoms.

After oral administration, FORTIGEL^® stimulates the cartilage cells to increase the production of both collagen and proteoglycans — the two major components that make up almost 90% of cartilage dry mass. FORTIGEL^® considerably improves joint mobility, reduces pain and hence provides a better quality of life. The efficacy of FORTIGEL^® on joint cartilage recovery has been scientifically proven by reputable international research institutes in several GCP-compliant clinical and preclinical studies.

To detect a possible mode of action, for example, a study¹ was conducted with patients with mild arthrosis of the knee joint. The objective of this investigation was to detect and confirm structural changes in the joint cartilage, which was evaluated using a magnetic resonance imaging technique. Although a progressive loss of cartilage was observed during the 1-year study period in the untreated placebo group, the subjects receiving FORTIGEL^® showed significantly reduced degeneration of the extracellular cartilage matrix. As a result, it was shown for the first time in humans that orally administered collagen peptides have a direct influence on cartilage structure.

You want to learn more about Joint health and the many benefits of Bioactive Collagen Peptides? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

¹McAlindon TE, et al.: Change in knee osteoarthritis cartilage detected by delayed gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging following treatment with collagen hydrolysate: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2011), online 3 January 2011