KEY INTERVIEW: The Role for Collagen in Healthy Aging
12 Nov 2014 --- The world’s population is aging quicker than ever before. It is now predicted that by 2025, 15 per cent of the global population will be aged over 60 – more than a 50 per cent increase since the turn of the millennium. A recent Frost and Sullivan report stated that “approximately one fourth of the global market (healthcare expenditures) is based in Europe, while Asia remained the largest market for nutraceuticals.” As more and more consumers look for ways to stay active for longer, there are growing opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers.
But it seems few are willing to take this lying down; thanks to a growing awareness of health and wellness, many seniors want to stay active for as long as possible. In fact, almost half of all today’s consumers are strongly interested in products which offer health benefits for bone, joint and muscle function.
“There is clearly significant potential for food and beverage manufacturers to meet this growing demand for functional solutions for active aging. However, those aiming to develop products for healthy agers need solutions which offer proven efficacy and real consumer appeal,” says Mai Nygaard, global product manager Peptan, Rousselot, who will be speaking at the 3rd Healthy Aging 2014.
Nygaard explains that aging can often lead to joint stiffness and decreased mobility, which can negatively impact wellbeing and quality of life. Typically, there are three main obstacles to an active lifestyle for seniors: osteoporosis (the weakening of bones), sarcopenia (the reduction of muscle mass) and osteoarthritis (the reduction of joint mobility). The most common of these is osteoarthritis, with a 2013 study from Arthritis Research UK reporting that a third of all people over the age of 45 in the UK have sought treatment for osteoarthritis.
As the world’s population grows older, consumers are unsurprisingly becoming more proactive in seeking out solutions which can help them stay active for longer. However, to make the most out of this growing demand, manufacturers need to work with ingredients which deliver scientifically proven benefits to mobility and can also be easily incorporated into a wide range of innovative and appealing applications. For that reason, solutions such as Rousselot’s Peptan collagen peptides are proving popular with manufacturers targeting the active aging market.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is found in all connective tissues. Peptan are type 1 collagen peptides with the same amino-acid content as in bones and skin. Manufactured using a unique enzymatic hydrolysis process, Peptan are highly bioavailable and digestible ingredients. Odorless and colorless, they are easily formulated into a range of products, from beverages to confectionery.
In addition, a wide range of scientific studies have demonstrated Peptan’s ability to promote healthy joints and bones. Collagen peptides have also been proven to increase muscle regeneration. “For Rousselot, a key focus is to have science behind our products and today’s global success of the Peptan collagen peptides is a testament to our scientific evidence of the health benefits. We continue to expand this file in terms of placebo-controlled clinical studies, but also invest in R&D which maps the underlying mechanisms and provide insight into the steps and mode of action in the human body, starting from the oral intake of the collagen peptides till the results in the actual target tissue. In the area of Joint and Bone health this work is really essential as they are some of the most prevalent aging concerns today,” says Nygaard.
Collagen peptides differ from other protein sources. Characterized by a unique combination of 18 amino acids, the bioactive peptides offer specific nutritional properties and unique health benefits not found with other hydrolyzed proteins. These benefits include bone health, joint health and skin beauty.
Independent research into these benefits began over 30 years ago and has intensified over the past decade. The result is a convincing and still-growing body of evidence. This evidence is important for the nutraceutical, supplement and functional food sectors to inform and educate customers and consumers about the value of collagen peptides for diverse target markets including seniors, women, athletes, and all people interested in general wellbeing and healthy aging.
Very recently for example, a placebo controlled clinical study into collagen peptides and joint health showed that a daily intake of collagen peptides (brand name, Peptan) can significantly reduce joint pain and improve joint function and flexibility in women suffering from osteoarthritis. Carried out at the Shanghai 6th People’s Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, the results confirmed Benito-Ruiz (2009) publication reporting a benefit of collagen peptides for the quality of life in osteoarthritis patients and reinforces the existing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that Peptan can help to reduce joint pain and improve joint function in patients with osteoarthritis.
Collagen peptides are increasingly seen as a “must have” active ingredient in joint health formulations and with clinical data also suggesting it could be more efficient than glucosamine in reducing joint pain (Trc 2010) its well positioned to rise further in popularity in the joint and mobility segment.
“Dietary supplements such as tablets and powder drinks have been extremely popular for many years. Now the trend is moving towards a wider range of functional foods and drinks, each suitable for a different segment of the market,” says Nygaard. “These can be fortified ‘healthy’ gummies for example but also snacks, soups, dairy products or drinks. Dairy drinks and yogurts enriched with collagen peptides are great examples of how to increase protein intake in the diet and target bone health (osteopenia) and age-related conditions such as sarcopenia and mobility.”
Looking forward, Nygaard notes that from a regulatory perspective, 2015 is going to be an interesting year with changes in the regulatory framework in several markets including Japan, which may open up for more health claims in future. “Already today, collagen peptides are well positioned for healthy aging products as most markets allow the use of relevant health claims when substantiated by published science and other scientific data made available by suppliers like Rousselot. Often the responsibility lies with the manufacturer of the end product to submit specific health claim files/product registrations to local authorities, which if approved, grants the use of health claims,” she notes. This is for example the case for the “blue cap” system in China where you today see products with collagen peptides carrying bone health claims. “In Europe, under the EFSA regulation, collagen peptides, which is a pure protein, can be promoted for bone health under the claim ‘Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones’ or for muscle as ‘protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass’,” she notes.
The 3rd Healthy Aging 2014 Conference Amsterdam (Connected to Hi Europe, 4 & 5 December 2014) will bring together the know-how on consumers, markets, retail channels, brands and innovations. It is an excellent platform for networking in and with the industries working on making healthy foods for the food, medical and supplement markets.
This platform is designed for senior managers active in or interested in gaining entry to the healthy aging markets for elderly, medical and clinical foods, including professionals involved with:
• Category management
• Marketing, sales & brand management
• Business management
• New product development
• Research & development
• Food engineering
Food and retail industries that can benefit from this platform include:
• Retail
• Health insurance companies
• Brand owners, private label manufacturers, including manufacturers active in the sports, health food sector, beverages, dairy, confectionery, bars, bread, and convenience industries
• Ingredient manufacturers
• Food Processing and packaging manufacturers
By Robin Wyers
