By Andrew Siyabalawatte and Sumaiya Farheen, Jan 2026.
Collagen Binds Us
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body that quietly holds us together. Think of it as scaffolding or glue that holds things together. It supports skin, joints, bones, and movement.
A Short History
My Mum has always been active. From a job with required standing and moving to a yoga routine for several years. So not one for resting or relaxing.It is important to mention that, despite all her activity over the years, she had been a vegetarian (no eggs) for nearly all her life.
Everything was going smoothly. She told me she felt good after each class whenever we spoke in the evening. Though she sometimes looked tired on video calls, she was happy.
Then one day, after a class, she called me from the changing room. She said she had hurt her back while bending to put on her socks. Ironically, back pain is my field of expertise. I advised her to get home and apply a bag of frozen peas to her back.
Eighteen months later, the pain that started suddenly after that exercise class had become chronic. It now followed a predictable, regular pattern. She manages it daily with the same routine she used when the pain began, along with some practical advice I offer her. I provide occasional treatment when the pain peaks, which helps some days but not others. For 18 months, nothing major changed-until she tried collagen.
My Mum Meets Collagen
She was first introduced to collagen by a friend who had taken collagen for her knee pain. After the visit, my mum told me she was interested in trying it, so I did some research and decided it was worth the risk and purchased a small sample in powder form for her.
My mum usually experiences a dull back ache / leg pain in bed almost every night since the onset, though for the first time in 18 months after trying collagen for just a few days she had what she described as “relief”. I remember seeing her so happy and energized. The relief she had experienced was on par with a strong painkiller she would seldomly take that would wipe her during the night and into the morning.
How could collagen have such a profound effect? I delved deeper and found potential reasons why.
Vegetarian, Diabetes and A Lack Of Collagen
Even though collagen is naturally produced by the body, its production is hugely dependent on eating a protein-rich diet. My mum lacked this being a vegetarian. High blood sugar also affects collagen structure and function, ultimately making connective tissues stiffer. Then add to the mix her increased activity with three classes that requires significant muscle activity and you have a better understanding predispositions to the back pain in the first instance.
Now, my mum still remains active, probably more than before, she eats fish and has embraced a diet change as a necessity to maintain her good health into her later years.
Collagen Production Is Affected During Menopause
Another piece of the puzzle is menopause.
Oestrogen isn’t just a reproductive hormone- it quietly supports collagen production throughout the body. As oestrogen levels fall, the body produces less collagen, and the collagen that is made tends to be of lower quality. This doesn’t only show up as changes in the skin. It affects joints, bones, tendons and the tissues that help us move comfortably.
For many women, this transition happens quietly in the background. Pain takes longer to settle. Recovery feels slower. Things that never caused problems before suddenly do.
In my mum’s case, reduced collagen production and long-term physical demand may have weakened connective tissue support. Collagen supplementation is not a cure, but it may explain why her body responded when that support was restored.
Sometimes it’s not about fixing what’s broken. It’s about supporting what’s under strain.
What Might Be Happening in the Joints
In my line of work, I’m naturally sceptical of anything that sounds too good to be true-especially when it comes to pain. Most supplements promise a lot and deliver very little. So when my mum described a level of relief she hadn’t felt in over a year, my first reaction wasn’t excitement. It was curiosity.
Collagen is often described as the “glue” that holds the body together, and while that sounds simplistic, it isn’t far from the truth. It provides structure to cartilage, tendons, ligaments and the connective tissue that allows joints and the spine to tolerate load.
What About Collagen, Arthritis and Joint Pain?
Research into collagen and osteoarthritis reflects this. Improvements tend to be gradual, not instant. Some studies focus on hydrolysed collagen, others on undenatured type II collagen (UC-II), which may help calm joint inflammation rather than act as a painkiller.
And that distinction matters.
Collagen doesn’t switch pain off. It doesn’t override inflammation the way medication can. It seems to work, when it does, by supporting the tissues around the joint helping cartilage and connective tissue tolerate load a little better.
For my mum, that small shift was enough to change how her body felt day to day. And for many people living with persistent joint pain, sometimes that’s exactly what they’re looking for.
There are a few types of collagen you might see in supplements-
Hydrolyzed collagen (or collagen peptides) – breaks down easily in the body and can be added to smoothies, coffee, or other drinks.
Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) – a form that interacts with the immune system and may help reduce inflammation in joints.
These work differently than painkillers. Collagen doesn’t block pain signals or act immediately. Instead, it supports the tissues around your joints, helping cartilage stay healthy and giving your joints the resilience they need to handle daily movement.
If you’re asking whether collagen supplements can help arthritis, the most accurate answer is this:
There is evidence that collagen can help some people with joint pain and osteoarthritis feel better-particularly in terms of pain, stiffness and function. There is less evidence that it helps inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, and it should never replace medical treatment.
Collagen is generally considered safe, but it isn’t magic. And it works best when it’s part of a bigger picture- adequate protein intake, movement that joints can tolerate, good sleep and realistic expectations.
That’s the lens through which I now see my mum’s experience. Not as proof that collagen “works” – but as a reminder that when the body has been running with less support for a long time, sometimes adding one missing piece can make a noticeable difference.