What is Collagen and Glucosamine?

Both Collagen and Glucosamine are being used for treating joint pains for past several years. However, collagen has been clinically proven to be more 2 times more effective than Glucosamine in improving joint mobility and with a faster onset of effects. And you only need one small tablet a day to achieve this result!

Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein in both sea and land animals (including human beings). It was first discovered in the mid-1930’s by Nobel laureates Crick, Pauling, Rich and Yonath. It is located most densely in connective tissue (ligaments, skin, joints, tendons,), although it is present in muscle as well.  Collagen makes up (by dry weight):

• 90 percent of the sclera (the white part of your eye)
• 80 percent of tendons
• 70-80 percent of the skin
• 60 percent of cartilage
• 30 percent of bones
• 1–10 percent of muscle mass

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is an element mostly available in the bone cartilage in the body. Glucosamine was first prepared by Georg Ledderhose in 1876. It is also named as the compound of amino sugars. It is the key element in many joint supplements existing in the market. It is used as a dietary supplement to treat symptoms of bone and joint disorders. It is also beneficial to address several other inflammatory diseases.

Difference between Collagen & Glucosamine

Definition

Collagen

It is a protein that is found in mammals. It is responsible for;

• Skin elasticity
• Offers structural support in muscle, connective tissue, and skin
• Plays a critical role in joint and bone health

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound that is chemically classified as an amino sugar. It serves as a building block for development and for maintaining cartilage within the body joints.

Benefits

Collagen

• Wound care (aids the healing process)
• Immune health (boosts the immune system by healing the gut
• Skin health (reducing skin dryness and elevating elasticity)
• Joint health (alleviating bone and joint pain)
• Blood sugar (minimizes blood sugar spikes in diabetics after a carb-heavy meal)
• Gut health (seals a leaky gut)

Glucosamine

• Glucosamine sulphate is beneficial for health conditions like;
• Osteoarthritis (OA)
• Weight loss
• Glaucoma
• Interstitial cystitis, a bladder condition
• Jaw pain
• Joint pain, such as knee pain
• Back pain
• HIV and AIDS
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Glucosamine supplements are also used by people with IBD i.e., inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis
• Alleviate osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints
• Offer continued relief of symptoms for up to 3 months after someone stops treatment
• Improve function in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis

Types

Collagen

There are 3 different categories of Collagen;

• Type I Collagen – fibrillar type collagen
• Type II Collagen – basis for hyaline cartilage and articular cartilage, formed by homotrimers of collagen, alpha 1, type II chains.
• Type III Collagen – is a protein, present in large quantities in blood vessels, uterus, intestines, and muscles,

Type II Collagen is the most abundant in the proteins. 

3 other common types of collagen present in the body (but not as abundantly as types I-III) are type IV, V, and X;

• Collagen IV — forms the basal lamina, the web of tissue that supports cells, that sits beneath the epithelium.
• Collagen V — found in the bone matrix, cornea, and in the connective tissue that exists between the cells of the muscles, liver, lungs, and placenta
• Collagen X — involved in the process of endochondral ossification, which is how bone tissue is created in mammals.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine supplements are available in 3 forms

• Glucosamine hydrochloride – used to make a “cushion” that surrounds and offers protection to the joints
• N-acetyl glucosamine – is taken orally for osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Glucosamine sulphate – an amino sugar and a prominent precursor in the biochemical synthesis of lipids and glycosylated proteins.  It is beneficial in building cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and the thick fluid that surrounds joints.

The most recommended form of Glucosamine by most of the clinical studies is glucosamine sulphate

Side effects

Collagen

• Upset stomach
• Feelings of fullness
• Heartburn
• Severe allergic reaction if collagen peptides are sourced from an allergen such as shellfish or eggs
• A lingering bad taste in the mouth

Glucosamine

Side-effects, which are usually mild and infrequent, include:

• Stomach upsets
• Constipation
• Rashes
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches

Speed of effect

Collagen

Higher in case of Collagen (as early as 30 days)

Glucosamine

Lower in case of Glucosamine (around 180 days)

Mode of action

Collagen

Oral tolerance (via body’s natural immune process)

Glucosamine

Weak anti – inflammatory effect

Effectiveness

Collagen

• Collagen is found to be more effective in
• Protection of joints
• Offers increased flexibility
• Improved mobility
• Reduced joint discomfort
• Lasting effect on the joints

Glucosamine

Glucosamine works best with other compounds like Chondroitin. Otherwise its effectiveness is less in comparison to the Collagen

Summary

The points of difference between Collagen and Glucosamine have been summarized as below: Collagen Vs.  Glucosamine

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