A Unique Patented Technology
Thanks to Genacol’s exclusive patented enzymatic hydrolysis technology, the AminoLock Sequence Technology, we obtain ultra-hydrolyzed collagen from a bovine source with the lowest molecular weight in the world, at less than 1 kilodalton (kDa).
This exclusive Genacol technology used to reduce joint discomfort and maintain your joints healthy is patented!
AminoLock Collagen Explained
Discover how AminoLock Collagen supports your joints. Watch the video below to see the science in action.
Aminolock Sequence Technology
The average size of commercially available hydrolyzed collagen generally varies between 3 to 10 kilodaltons (kDa). However, Genacol’s patented AminoLock Sequence Technology produces very low molecular weight collagen peptide fragments, weighing less than 1 kilodalton (kDa), making them more likely to be absorbed by our digestive system.
Moreover, this exclusive technology enables Genacol to ensure its ultra-hydrolyzed AminoLock Collagen contains well-established bioactive peptides to promote joint health and supplies crucial amino acids needed for collagen production to ensure optimal outcomes.
About Hydrolyzed Collagen
Collagen in its native form is hard to digest and is not optimally absorbed by the body. To consume it as a supplement and facilitate its absorption, collagen protein undergoes a process called “enzymatic hydrolysis” to break down the protein into smaller parts (i.e.., peptides and amino acids), thereby making it more bioavailable. This broken-down collagen is called collagen hydrolysate. The lower the molecular weight, the more bioavailable a collagen hydrolysate.
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in your body. It is composed of amino acids, which are often referred to as protein “building blocks”. Your body naturally produces collagen. However, as we age, the production of collagen by our body slows down.
A collagen supplement helps to provide key amino acids (i.e., those “building blocks”) necessary for optimal protein production. A collagen supplement also helps to slow the effects of collagen loss by supplying various bioactive peptides, which are just small sequences of amino acids. To learn more about the essential role of collagen on your body read our article in our Health Blog section.
Scientific partnership with McGill University
A scientific partnership was concluded in 2017 with the School of Human Nutrition at McGill University. Their innovative comparative research made it possible to evaluate and quantify the peptides of AminoLock Collagen in comparison with a generic collagen hydrolyzate thanks to an analysis system simulating digestion.
McGill Research: AminoLock
Collagen Bioavailability
Collaborative Research Results
This collaborative research project with McGill University has demonstrated better bioavailability of AminoLock Collagen. In addition, it showed that several peptides important for joint health are better absorbed and metabolized than generic collagen. These essential peptides provided by our proprietary ingredient have been measured, along with their known joint health benefits, confirming that Genacol AminoLock Collagen is indeed different and unique.
The scientific partnership with the team of Dr. Stan Kubow of the School of Human Nutrition at McGill University was concluded in 2017 and last 2 years. This collaborative research project made it possible to identify and quantify the bioavailability of certain key peptides after the complete process of digestion, absorption and metabolization between the AminoLock from Genacol and a generic hydrolyzed collagen supplement.
Dr. Kubow and his team have made certain observations:
The bioactive peptides Pro-Hyp, Gly-Pro, Hyp-Gly, and Ala-Hyp and Gly-Pro-Hyp from AminoLock Collagen are absorbed and then transferred into the systemic circulation (first-pass metabolism);
Only the Gly-Pro-Hyp present in AminoLock Collagen is absorbed and then transferred into the systemic circulation. The peptide Gly-Pro-Hyp from the generic product does not undergo the first-pass effect and is therefore not bioavailable and will not reach the joints, so the effects associated with this peptide chain are therefore lost);
The peptides that reach the systemic circulation have significant permeability (absorption capacity). AminoLock® Collagen products also have better permeability of Gly-Pro-Hyp peptides compared with other collagen hydrolyzates from bovine sources and those from fish, which were compared;
Peptides are also metabolized by the liver before being released into the systemic circulation, but to different degrees depending on the product; Genacol® unique collagen hydrolyzate is better metabolized than the generic: changes in the composition of the peptide chains, as well as a significant increase (around 40%) in the contents of Pro-Hyp, are observed there, but not in the generic collagen.
These results confirm that Genacol’s AminoLock Collagen is indeed different and unique, has better bioavailability, offers better absorption, and provides the body with key bioactive peptides for joint health.
Three clinical studies demonstrate its effectiveness
To date, three independent clinical studies on the effectiveness of AminoLock Collagen have been performed. Thanks to serious and supervised protocols, our research teams have shown that AminoLock Collagen is a natural and effective solution for joint health and can provide relief in people living with joint discomfort.
Bruyère Clinical Study: Effectiveness on Joint Discomfort
Bruyère Clinical Study Results
After six months of treatment, the results showed a significant increase in the proportion of patients reporting a notable reduction in joint discomfort when they consumed Genacol AminoLock Collagen compared to patients on placebo.
Bruyère O, et al. Effect of collagen hydrolysate in articular discomfort: A 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Complement Ther Med (2012).
The first study was a multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial carried out in Belgium by world-renowned researchers.
Patients suffered from joint discomfort in various areas: upper body (shoulder, elbow, wrist), lower back or lower body (hip, knee).
Over 140 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1200 mg of Genacol AminoLock Collagen or a placebo. The study was well balanced (baseline patient characteristics) and of excellent quality. The authors used a visual analog scale (VAS), the Gold Standard reference test, for the subjective assessment of discomfort. The VAS scale is notably used to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of analgesic drugs. It is recognized by regulatory agencies such as the US Federal Drug Agency (FDA) and the Canadian Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD).
After six months of treatment, the clinical studies showed a significant increase in the proportion of responders (minimum 20% improvement in discomfort VAS score) compared to placebo.
This result is more significant if one considers that the study subjects suffered from discomfort in various joint areas. In contrast, most other trials concentrate on a particular joint (for example, the knee).
In fact, when results were segregated according to different body regions, treatment with Genacol’s AminoLock Collagen was even more impressive. For instance, for the upper body (shoulder, elbow, wrist) and the lower back, twice as many patients taking Genacol AminoLock Collagen noted an improvement in joint discomfort instead of patients on placebo.
Parm Clinical Study:
Improving Joint Space
Parm Clinical Study Result
After six months of treatment, the results of this clinical study indicate that Genacol AminoLock Collagen may not only reduce discomfort and improve knee function but also prevent joint space degradation.
Maria Lourdes R. Bernardo and Alfredo C. Azarcon, Jr. Effects of Oral Collagen Treatment on the Media Knee Joint Space and Functional Outcome among Veterans Memorial Medical Center Patients Diagnosed with Knee discomfort (2012).
A second clinical study was carried out in a Veterans Hospital Center in the Philippines; this time, the study focused on patients suffering from knee discomfort.
A total of 113 patients were randomly assigned to receive either a daily dose of 1200 mg of Genacol AminoLock Collagen or a daily dose of 200 mg of aceclofenac.
The authors used the Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Index (WOMAC). The latter is often considered the reference test for knee discomfort since it assesses discomfort and joint function in several daily situations of rest and activity.
After six months of treatment, the WOMAC score of patients taking Genacol AminoLock Collagen was significantly reduced, whereas patients taking aceclofenac were not.
This clearly demonstrates that joint discomfort and function were considerably improved by the daily administration of Genacol AminoLock Collagen, an effect that was significantly superior to the reference NSAID drug.
Suarez Clinical Study:
Preventing Cartilage Degradation
Suarez Clinical Study Result
After 6 months of treatment, this clinical study showed that taking AminoLock Collagen combined with an exercise program reduced discomfort, improved general functional status and caused changes to intra-articular and periarticular structures compared to patients on placebo.
Chan, R., & De Los Reyes, M. F. Effect of Collagen Hydrolysate as an adjuvant treatment to Exercise for Knee discomfort (2016).
A third clinical study was developed at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital in the Philippines. The objective was to determine whether taking Genacol AminoLock Collagen, combined with a physical exercise program, shows a significant reduction of cartilage wear and tear.
In the study, participants were randomly selected. A treatment group took three 400 mg capsules of Genacol Aminolock Collagen daily for six months, and a control group (n=53) took a placebo. The two groups were subjected to a standard program.
Evaluations were carried out at the start and end of the six months. These evaluations included reviewing participants’ medical records, a physical exam, WOMAC evaluations and ultrasonography of both knees. Calculation of means and standard deviations were carried out for demographic information, visual analogue scale (VAS) discomfort evaluations, WOMAC evaluations and ultrasound measurements.
Results: in general, WOMAC and VAS evaluations decreased compared to the initial evaluations of both treatment groups. There was a significant increase of 62.5 % in the execution of the exercise program by the treatment group who took Genacol Aminolock Collagen.
The Genacol AminoLock Collagen group demonstrated a fairly significant change in the average level of cartilage wear compared to the placebo group. The result of central cartilage compared to the placebo group.
Conclusions: Our clinical team demonstrated that Genacol Aminolock Collagen, combined with an exercise program, reduced discomfort, improved general functional status and produced changes in the intra-articular and peri-articular structures (that is, an improvement in the level of wear of the cartilage and a decrease in the movement of the lateral meniscus of patients with knee discomfort.
