Collagen for osteoporosis?

At 81, I have multiple, severe, painful spinal compression fractures from osteoporosis.

For the past 4 months, I've been adding powdered beef collagen peptides to my diet based on a friend's recommending videos by Dr. Doug Lucas and Dr. Jennifer Daniels, now "practicing" from Panama. I also began pressure cooking chicken feet and pork hocks for their collagen, and discard most of the fat. No miraculous effects so far.

I have my own homeopathic & MD ordered regimine myself. I take vitamins K & B-12, because I am a regular laxative and fiber user. Frequent laxatives use can deplete vitamins K & B-12 synthesized in the large intestine and cause anemia or heart problems. I take vitamins, D3, A, calcium 1200 mg per day, all ordered by my team of physicians. Vitamin E for skin, hair, and nails, vitamins iron and muti-vitamins with iron. I also have hormone therapy estrogen & progesterone for bone and muscle health. Recall that estrogen is the primary component in bone matrix for women. I request by physician an order for a full blood panel and include an Ionized Calcium (check for signs of bone cancer & CA + 125 to check for signs of ovarian cancer, since I take estrogen as a 65 year old woman. I take diclofenac for joint swelling and pain when I need it. I have never smoked, used illegal drugs, no family history of female reproductive or breast cancer or heart disease. However, I am taking a risk, but so do smokers. I'd rather still be walking. I'm an insurance agent and I have really good insurance to support Medicare, so my out of pocket expenses are minimal. However, I'm always looking for new remedies to slow aging and enjoy life. Best, Lynn.

Lynn, thank you for your post. I am also 65 and on estrogen therapy (Climara Pro patch) after having gone through menopause at 36 due to autoimmune issues. I will ask my doctor to check these--bone cancer and 125 what are these markers?

Can you tell me more about ionized calcium? What is it and what led you to this?

Regarding laxatives and joint swelling, I have eliminated any need for these by going on a diet of vegetables, fish, tofu and meats, but strictly low carb (I eat beans and yams) and no sugar, no dairy and no gluten at all. It may seem like a big ask, but it feels like a pretty indulgent diet ( I can eat animal fats and vegan butter), and it completely resolved my constipation and all joint pain as long as I am strict about sugar and carbs. Also enabled me to get through long Covid and resolve it, albeit after a year. Might work for you and allow you to get off a couple of drugs that could be working at cross-purposes. If I didn't do this, my right hip hurts enough to make me limp and I'd be headed for a joint replacement. When I stick to it, I have no pain at all.

Be careful about the estrogen patches and I wouldn’t recommend them past a year. My regimen includes progesterone taken alternately in a cycle dispersed in the way similar birth control pills are taken. Estrogen by itself can be a dangerous drug. Make sure that your body is getting progesterone at least 10 days a month. I it will cause bleeding, that doesn’t mean cancer. The progesterone cycle with blood loss by the uterus clears bacteria and fungal microbes. It also keeps layers of blood from hardening and layering buildup. Progesterone keeps the uterus muscular and helps prevent the uterus from atrophy. Have an open dialogue with your healthcare provider. Best regards, Lynn.

have not heard of Dr McCormick - but always wonder about those who recommend products that they also sell - and seems like he doesn't know enough about the collagen used in the products he sells. The chemical constituents of collagen are broken down in the digestive process. This suggests 2 things to me - that you could just as easily obtain those chemicals through the food you eat (assuming a healthy, nutritional diet here) and you need to make sure that you are fully digesting - and therefore getting the nutritional benefits of - the food you do eat.

I just had rotator cuff surgery and my surgeon has me taking collagen for bone and muscle health. Collagen type 1 and 3, bovine and needs to be hydrolized type. I use Vitals brand. Took Evenity with great results in spine. Out of osteoporosis range. Had much joint and muscle pain. Now just started Actonel as Fosomax brought all the aches&pain back. Focusing f on shoulder now but I do think collagen is good but must be right type.

I was wondering how long it takes to see a difference. I have just been on collagen for 2 weeks. My neck and spine are Degenative and now my bones have started narrowing. I started with MS and now Fibromyalgia.
Thanks for any advice on the collagen.

I’ve been told at least one month but not certain. Sorry I’m not more helpful!

I just had rotator cuff surgery and my surgeon has me taking collagen for bone and muscle health. Collagen type 1 and 3, bovine and needs to be hydrolized type. I use Vitals brand. Took Evenity with great results in spine. Out of osteoporosis range. Had much joint and muscle pain. Now just started Actonel as Fosomax brought all the aches&pain back. Focusing f on shoulder now but I do think collagen is good but must be right type.