Bone is a connective tissue composed of an organic matrix (approximately 30%), made up of type I collagen (approximately 90%) and other minority proteins (osteocalcin), and inorganic components (45% calcium salts and 25% water). Unlike other connective tissues, bone matrix possesses the ability to become calcified in a special way: calcium phosphate biocrystals of hydroxyapatite are fixed to collagen fibers whose good condition is essential to support bone mineral components and, consequently, to keep bone resistance and good performance throughout life.^1,2

Ageing leads to reduced collagen biosynthesis and increased collagen degradation, a process that is especially marked in postmenopausal women due to decreased estrogen production.³ Thus, bone matrix progressively loses collagen fibers that allow the attachment of calcium salt. As a result, calcium salt is released (decalcification) and bones lose mass, becoming brittle and more prone to fracture.

Managing osteoporosis via supplementation

Osteoporosis⁴ and osteopenia⁵ are the most prevalent bone diseases affecting middle-age and older individuals, and are one of the main causes of chronic disability. However, conventional drug treatments are still limited, and their prolonged use can cause toxicity and other adverse effects (bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis).⁶ That is why there is so much interest in developing nutritional strategies that include effective and safe long-term dietary supplementation.

Calcium and vitamin D supplementation have been traditionally adopted and have shown beneficial effects.^7,8 More recently, hydrolyzed collagen has also shown beneficial bone effects, gaining a place as a therapeutic agent or adjuvant.^9,10,11,12

Furthermore, studies have shown that the beneficial bone effects of hydrolysed collagen, calcium and vitamin D supplementation may be significantly greater than supplementation without hydrolysed collagen.^13,14,15 Taking into account that the collagenous matrix of bone is the substrate where the calcium salts are fixed, it is not surprising that the bone-forming capacity of a supplementation that includes hydrolyzed collagen, calcium and vitamin D surpasses traditional supplementation based only on these two last ingredients. This is supported by studies that corroborate osteogenic activity of hydrolyzed collagen at a cellular level.^16,17,18,19

However, it should be noted that if calcium intake is clearly deficient, the bone benefits of taking hydrolyzed collagen are scarcer or undetectable.^20,21 That’s why optimal bone health supplementation must provide the right nutrients for the mineral (calcium salts) and organic (collagen matrix) components of the bone, mimicking its natural physiology.

A first attempt was made as early as the 1980s based on ossein-hydroxyapatite complex (drug tablets) containing hydroxyapatite, as a source of calcium and phosphorus, and ossein (bone organic extract obtained by treating bones with hydrochloric acid, which dissolves calcium salts).^22,23

PHOSCOLLAGEN® for bone care

Following the previous research line, Proteïn, S.A. developed PHOSCOLLAGEN®, an advanced mineral-organic food complex for bone health, which combines bone hydroxyapatite (most suitable natural source of calcium and phosphorus) and bone hydrolysed collagen (most assimilable source of type I collagen, bone matrix main protein).

PHOSCOLLAGEN® does not consist of a physical mixture, but is the result of stabilizing micronized bone hydroxyapatite crystals in a bone collagen peptides matrix, taking advantage of the natural affinity between both compounds, as evidenced by the close bond that they establish microscopically to build strong bone structure.

As a result, PHOSCOLLAGEN® is presented in the form of a fine uniform powder that disperses easily in water avoiding quick sedimentation, contrary to what usually occurs with other mixtures containing calcium salts.

PHOSCOLLAGEN® is made from edible and traceable raw materials of natural origin (fresh bovine/pork bones from EU) which are subjected to the official veterinary controls and to the adequate cold chain. It is made through an exclusive process of intrinsic stabilization between organic and mineral components, that only use physical and mechanical procedures without adding chemical products, which allows increasing food security. In addition, PHOSCOLLAGEN® is GMO-free and does not contain allergens (gluten, dairy derivatives, fish ...), fats or sugars. The recommended daily dose of 11.75g ​​contains:

Thus, collagen AAs act nutritionally, collagen biopeptides act functionally and both act synergistically, favouring and stimulating bone formation.^{9,10,11,12,16,17,18,19}

Although animal protein is generally referred to as a homogeneous group of nutrients, it should be noted that collagen presents an AA composition radically different from the rest of animal proteins due to: Its abundance in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline (almost 50% of the total), and its abundance in conditionally essential amino acids (CEAAs, almost 70% of the total), which are those that, although they can be synthesized from essential amino acids (EAAs), there are circumstances (stress, accelerated aging, physical exhaustion, convalescent states ...) in which this synthesis is insufficient and they must be ingested in the diet to achieve and keep a healthy state. Generally speaking, CEAAs are functionally as indispensable as EAAs.^24,25

In fact, low Ca:P ratios common in Western diets interfere Ca metabolism and increase bone resorption for which more attention should be focused on decreasing high dietary P intake.²⁶ Hydroxyapatite supplementation allows an adequate calcium supply without increasing phosphate plasma concentration,²⁷ and also leads to increased bile acid excretion, decreased blood lipids and positive modulation of intestinal environment.²⁸

Ca and P amounts in 1,75g of bone hydroxyapatite (600mg and 280mg, respectively) cover between 40% and 50% of the recommended intake of Ca and P for adults, an adequate contribution taking into account that these minerals are also present in the diet.

PHOSCOLLAGEN® applies current advancements in technology and nutrition knowledge to bone-healthy food supplementation. Its composition provides bone main components, together with collagen biopeptides, generating synergy between nutritional building bone elements and osteogenic stimulus. That’s why it is ideal for supplements and functional foods intended to improve and keep bone health long-term. In addition, its physical and organoleptic characteristics, and soluble powder presentation, facilitate its easy incorporation into foods and supplements.

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<sub>References
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