“There is no evidence that it works.” UFC-Que Choisir condemns the “false promises” of collagen.

“Eliminate the signs of aging”, “fight against sagging skin”, “prevent wrinkles”, “rejuvenate the face”, strengthen nails and hair… The promises are tempting. Collagen, which has long been popular in anti-aging care formulations, has re-emerged in recent years in the form of dietary supplements, capsules or snacks. Primarily used by American celebrities (notably Jennifer Aniston, who became the ambassador of one of the leading collagen powder brands in the US), it has also established itself in the beauty routine of French women, being marketed in many trendy cosmetics. brands.

Basically, collagen is an essential protein naturally present in the body that is responsible for the structure, flexibility, and resistance of many tissues (such as skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, etc.). But its production decreases with age, so the interest is to compensate for this loss by taking a short course of treatment, a few months a year. Or not, according to UFC-Que Choisir, which completely contradicts the supposed merits promoted by the brands, in a survey published on January 10.

“There’s no reason to do this”

While brands assure that the effects of their collagen treatments on the skin are clinically proven, UFC-Que Choisir is not convinced, denouncing “extreme marketing” and “dishonest scientific evidence.” This will be evidenced first of all by the weakness of the resources that can be counted on. Of the three brands the organization asked to provide clinical studies showing benefits in slowing the signs of skin aging, two did not respond. A third sent papers whose methodology our colleagues deemed “inadequate.”

As for the health benefits attributed to collagen, particularly “comfort” or “reduced joint pain,” “the few clinical trials we can find, for example on osteoarthritis pain, are poorly conducted, with very small numbers of patients, without comparing the results to collagen.” with placebo results,” we can read in the report. He also adds that products with “strengthening bone density” on their packaging are problematic, as this label is prohibited on dietary supplements as a therapeutic claim. At the request of UFC-Que Choisir, Honorary President of the French Society of Rheumatology T.^r: Francis Berenbaum decided. “There’s no evidence that it works. And, first of all, there is no reason for it to work.

Especially the intake of protein by the body is questioned. “The body is not able to absorb collagen in this way,” explains the doctor.^r: Claire Vinatier, a researcher at the Inserm Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton department at the University of Nantes, in an interview still reported by UFC Que Choisir. “Once collagen is absorbed, it is treated like any other protein; it is broken down into amino acids so it can cross the intestinal barrier. Once assimilated, these amino acids can be used to repair proteins, but not collagen more specifically than others,” he explains.

“Manipulations”

Finally, the article condemns the “manipulation” of certain brands to sell these products through the “abuse of scientific language”. For example, targeting those recommending a preference for products “with a molecular weight of less than 2,000 daltons,” preferably hydrolyzed peptides, and “ideal type 1.” The terms certainly exist in scientific jargon, but according to the consumer association are considered incomprehensible to “ordinary mortals”.

Some references will also be “pure inventions”, such as the alleged certificate of conformity approved by the “French General Directorate of Food Safety” on the collagen specialist’s website. If the Directorate-General for Food (DGAL) exists and the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSES) also exists, the “Directorate-General for Food Safety of France” does not exist. The same brand also claimed to supply its product to a clinical trial conducted at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital in Paris, of which UFC-Que Choisir found no trace, and information about which was denied by the press service. health care facility.