Fortibone for Osteoporosis

Dr. Doug Lucas talked about the study as part of a YouTube video on collagen 9 months ago.
You can view the whole video here: https://youtu.be/9-7qnPerpS4
If you want to jump straight to the part about the study on Fortibone go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch

I'm probably not of the majority opinion but I tend to think Fortibone is a bit of hype. The name is quite suggestive and the only research on collagen peptides/Fortibone was done by Gelita, the company that manufactures this product. I can't imagine it is any different from other collagen peptides other than branding. I use Vital Proteins which is good quality, marine or bovine sourced from grass-fed cattle. Something to be aware of with collagen is that it is not a complete amino acid profile, lacking tryptophan, so it can be anxiety producing.

You forgot one difference - price.

As others have pointed out, the two studies examining the effectiveness of Fortibone were funded by Gelita which produces Fortibone. I’m less concerned about the funding because the majority of the researchers were identified as working for University of Freiburg. Their final research manuscript likely went through peer-review to be accepted for publication in the scientific journal Nutrition. As a retired academic researcher, I’ve been involved in studies funded by organizations who sent out requests for research proposals to evaluate their product. This is a common model for researchers in my field of study to receive funding this way. I can’t speak for other researchers, but I know that I could only evaluate the measures I collected. I wouldn’t manipulate the numbers to make it appear favorable for the funder. My data was open-source meaning that I had to provide my data to any researcher so they could evaluate my claims. This helps to keep researchers honest. The pressure to publish is enormous in academic research.

I am concerned about the very small effect sizes the researchers found. While the findings were statistically significant, the effect sizes (i.e., increase in bone markers) were negligible. However, I have osteoporosis and I am breaking bones, so I’m using Fortibone because, at this point, I’ll try just about any promised magic with hopes that it will help my bones. I recently switched to the product sold by Dr. McCormick because it’s only Fortibone and that’s all I want.

If I don’t see an improvement in my next DEXA, which is in a year, I may stop Fortibone.

Lastly, I hope other researchers replicate the study to evaluate the original findings, but it appears that science doesn't value replication.

Off my soapbox.

I am so sorry to hear about the pain you have had. I had terrible joint and muscle pain with Evenity and decided not to do Recast as I was so frustrated with the pain from Evenity and was afraid of a once a year injection. Your information is very helpful for my future decisions. I am taking Actonel as I had terrible pain again with Fosomax. Actonel causes pain for me but not as bad. I have the discomfort especially in my hips. Had zero pain or aches before Evenity. It is different for each one of us but the more natural the better but I am concerned about rebound effect with Evenity if I don't take something. Appreciate the supplement info you shared.

I know it has been many years since I dealt with statistics but, from a practical point of view, I do not see how the study confirmed any benefit from Fortibone.
treated placebo
BMD Spine baseline -2.5 -2.3
after 1 year -2.54 -225

Femoral neck baseline -1.4 -1.4
after 1 year -1.41 -1.42

Sorry, left out the standard deviations which were +/- 0.6 for spine and +/- 0.5 for femoral neck.

What am I missing?

I agree and, as I stated, I'm concerned about the small effect sizes (take the difference and divide by the pooled SD for Cohen's d).

But . . . I am consuming it everyday in hopes that I see some positive change in my T-scores. If I don't, I'll stop using it, just like I do with the many different face creams I buy based on some wishful Instagram promise 🙂

My intention is not to belabor the issue but to correct my error as I misread a table.

..........................................treated .....................placebo
BMD Spine baseline .......-2.54........................ -2.25
....................after 1 year ......-2.47 .......................-2.28

Femoral neck baseline..... -1.41......................... -1.32
.....................after 1 year ..... -1.42......................... -1.44

I have been on Fortibone for eight months. I’m also on Evenity - 11th injections this week, eating more bone building foods, gym several days a week, etc.
I will have a dexa in May. If I have improvements in scores, how would I know what part, if any, Fortibone played?

In my opinion, you will not know.