Has collagen been shown to improve osteopenia symptoms?

@miamalvia there has been some small but very hopeful studies on a collagen peptide called Fortibone, which is peptide 1, that indicate bone improvement. Not sure if Artic Collagen has it but AlgaeCal has a product that contains Fortibone and the other peptides that are in yours.
Dr. Doug Lucas is a good resource for educating yourself on natural supplements for bone improvement. There are also recent articles that stress that bone drugs are not beneficial.
Here is a link to one of the podcasts by Dr Lucas. He has a whole library. https://www.youtube.com/watch
Hope this is helpful

Hello @miamalvia, my protocol is lifestyle modifications through diet and exercise. In the beginning I experience a small improvement in bone density which I attributed to running with weights mainly, though I focused on diet as well.
Now in 2025, I am osteoporotic on my left side and osteopenic in my spine. I feel my workout routine has help hold me together 😉 . That said, the science says it all to me...

Collagen peptides can be a useful adjunct.
They’re most effective when paired with:
- Adequate calcium and vitamin D
- Weight‑bearing exercise
- Evidence‑based osteoporosis prevention or treatment plans
- Regular DEXA scans if clinically indicated
Sources: Medical News Today, Frontiers in Nutrition (2025 Meta‑analysis), UCLA Health

@psanchez33617 Bone drugs are not beneficial? That is completely untrue.

@njx58 I absolutely mean no disrespect but have you read the latest science about bone drugs? Here is just one. https://www.amjmed.com/action/showPdf

@psanchez33617 This essay is definitely eye-opening and it will be very interesting to hear opinions from others here on Connect about it.
However, statements like 'bone drugs are not beneficial' is possibly as over-generalized as what this article complains about with respect to current treatment practice. It seems to me it is all much more nuanced than what our present health care practices allow or demand.

@rjd I stand corrected in my statement that drugs are not beneficial. After assessment and looking closer, this would be more accurate, you might agree-
This article is valid as a discussion piece.
It is not junk science, not misleading in the data it cites, and not outside mainstream medical thinking. It reflects a legitimate and ongoing debate about how much absolute fracture-risk reduction pharmaceutical osteoporosis therapies provide, especially in older adults and in people with differing risk profiles.
Drugs do reduce vertebral fracture risk at the population level.
The absolute benefit is modest.
Whether that benefit is “worth it” depends on the individual — tolerance, fall risk, functional status, and personal priorities.

@psanchez33617 Thank you for sharing this article. This is exactly why I decided not to take Bisphosphonates although my osteoporosis has been described to me as "severe". They may make your bones appear stronger on a DEXA scan, but their actual benefit in preventing fractures is minimal and not worth the possible side effects for me. For medical reasons, I can't take Forteo or Tymlos. Evenity is too new for me and must be followed by a bisphosphonate to keep gains. For now I am being careful to keep my muscles strong, avoid dangerous movements and do all I can to avoid falls.

@daisy17 Hi, I, too, have severe osteoporosis, diagnosed at 39 now 73. Tried drugs along the way and there was always some version of punishment with the experience. Last one totally closed the door for me, with Forteo.
I am encouraged by my CTX and P1NP, although have nothing to compare them to since it is my first tests. However, it appears that even though my scores are low, there was no more bone loss over the past year. I am taking calcium, D3, K2 and collagen with Fortibone. I added testosterone and will soon add estrogen and progesterone. Having a tough time getting my doctor on board with that but there was a huge study done by the women's initiative that followed post menopausal women and hormone replacement from 1998 to 2024. Bioidentical hormones are beneficial for women at any age.

@psanchez33617 I have parathyroid and thyroid issues which contributed to my osteoporosis. I take calcium daily, alternating between calcium citrate and carbonate. I also take Vitamins K, B complex, C, D, magnesium glycinate and AlgaeCal collagen with Fortibone. I am going to start taking 5-6 prunes a day and doing more muscle building and balance exercises. I follow Brick House Bones with Dr Lisa Moore, a physical therapist with great info and exercises for those with osteoporosis.

Can you offer more info on the hormone replacements you are taking?

@daisy17 good luck with prunes! I added slowly but I still had major GI issues. I can only tolerate 1-2 a day lol