From the Guidelines
Collagen peptides are not a recommended treatment for osteoporosis, and patients should instead focus on evidence-based treatments such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, or teriparatide to reduce the risk of fractures. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2024 in Nature Reviews Rheumatology 1, provides evidence-based guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in men, recommending oral bisphosphonates, denosumab, or zoledronate as first-line treatments for men at a high risk of fracture.
Key Recommendations
- Ensure vitamin D and calcium repletion in all men above the age of 65 years 1
- Use oral bisphosphonates, denosumab, or zoledronate as first-line treatments for men at a high risk of fracture 1
- Consider a sequential therapy starting with a bone-forming agent followed by an anti-resorptive agent for men at a very high risk of fracture 1
- Recommend physical exercise and a balanced diet to all men with osteoporosis 1
Importance of Conventional Treatments
While collagen peptides may have potential benefits for bone health, they should not be considered a replacement for conventional osteoporosis treatments. The American College of Physicians guideline update from 2017 1 recommends offering pharmacologic treatment with alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid, or denosumab to reduce the risk for hip and vertebral fractures in women with known osteoporosis.
Comprehensive Osteoporosis Management
A comprehensive osteoporosis management plan should include:
- Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake
- Weight-bearing exercise
- Fall prevention strategies
- Consideration of conventional osteoporosis treatments, such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, or teriparatide, under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Collagen Peptides for Osteoporosis
There are no research papers provided to assist in answering this question about the effectiveness of collagen peptides for treating osteoporosis. The studies provided focus on the use of bisphosphonates in the treatment of osteoporosis, as discussed below.
Bisphosphonates in Osteoporosis Treatment
- Bisphosphonates are safe and effective agents for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, as shown in studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- They increase bone mass and reduce the risk of vertebral fractures in patients with established osteoporosis 2, 4.
- Bisphosphonates, such as alendronate and risedronate, are approved by the US FDA for the prevention of bone loss in recently menopausal women, treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and management of glucocorticoid-induced bone loss 2.
- The clinical profiles of bisphosphonates may differ according to their pharmacological properties, such as affinity for bone mineral and inhibitory effect on osteoclastic bone resorption 5.
- Long-term use of bisphosphonates has been associated with uncommon side effects, including osteonecrosis of the jaw, musculoskeletal complaints, and atypical fractures 6.
Key Findings on Bisphosphonates
- Bisphosphonates have demonstrated antifracture efficacy in randomized, placebo-controlled trials of 3 and 4 years duration 6.
- A sustained effect of bisphosphonates has been shown through 5-7 years of treatment 6.
- Ten-year data with alendronate and 8-year data with risedronate indicated good tolerability and safety 6.