Effects of oral intake of collagen peptides on lower back discomfort: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v16i4.1930Abstract
Background: Lower back pain is a widespread problem that limits daily activities and lowers quality of life for many people. Collagen peptides, which support joint and tissue health, may help relieve this kind of discomfort.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of collagen peptide intake on lower back discomfort in healthy middle-aged and older adults reporting subjective symptoms of lower back discomfort.
Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study. Following screening, 49 healthy Japanese individuals experiencing lower back discomfort were randomized to receive either 10 g of a collagen peptide-containing drink (collagen group; n = 24) or a placebo drink (placebo group; n = 25) once daily for 12 weeks. The Japan low back pain evaluation questionnaire (JLEQ) was administered at baseline and at the end of the intervention.
Results: Overall, 48 participants were included. The collagen group demonstrated significant improvement in JLEQ items, such as "How difficult has it been for you to put on underwear and stockings in the past few days because of your back pain?" and "During the past month, have you avoided going out to your neighborhood because of your back pain?".
Conclusions: Collagen peptide ingestion may alleviate lower back discomfort and improve daily functioning.
Novelty of the Study: This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that collagen peptide intake improves functional limitations associated with lower back discomfort in healthy individuals. The study indicates that utilizing collagen peptides can enhance quality of life by alleviating lower back discomfort.
Trial registration: The study protocol was registered with UMIN-CTR (ID: UMIN000055421).
Keywords: Collagen peptides, Bioactive peptides, Lower back discomfort, Musculoskeletal health, Functional food intervention, Randomized controlled trial, Biomarkers of pain, Quality of life
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Copyright (c) 2026 Eriko Saito, Takumi Yamaguchi, Mariko Ito, Rina Takayanagi, Hiroko Maruki-Uchida, Eisaku Nishimura, Takashi Koikeda, Naoki Iemoto
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