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Charity (Michigan, US) on 01/10/2015

Can Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate be helpful to strengthen connective tissue disorder (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)?

My son has been diagnosed with a mild case. After studying his condition, I am pretty sure I have it.

Last 2 years, I switched to "cardio only" to 30 minutes of stretching exercises a day which improved greatly.

Now I have been ingesting more homemade broths and Great Lakes. My joints seem better after taking Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate. I have not been on it long enough to make a an assessment.

Thanks in advance.

Replied By Marina (Nevada) on 07/04/2016

I wasn't diagnosed with Ehlers-Dalos (EDS) until my late 20's and am now fairly disabled at 31 (looking back I probably starting having some "mild" symptoms in my early teens). Please join one of the great online communities (Inspire, Reddit, or Facebook). Many medical professionals have outdated or minimal knowledge on the condition.

Also, please be careful with the stretching. Yoga and stretching is normal not advisable for those with Ehlers-Dalos (Yoga can be done if modified properly, but Pilates is a safer option). Proper physical therapy and mild excersise is very beneficial for most with EDS.

As to the gelatin supplements, any benefit is likely a placebo. Ehlers-Dalos causes one's connective tissue to be weakened, there is no way to change the tissue or to produce new "healthy" tissue. Many individuals with EDS do have vitamin deficiencies and it is very much worth supplementing if you test low (low magnesium is very common in EDS and can exacerbate muscle pain).

Best of luck to you and your son.

Replied By Mira (Usa) on 12/12/2016

Would chaga help?

Replied By Emma (Canada) on 05/29/2017

Studies have shown that no ammount of collagen, gelatin etc can help with EDS, as the problem of the EDS body is that it cannot utilize it. Vitamin C could potentially help but even that has not been proven. As for Yoga and Pilates, I would be super cautious before advising any EDSr to engage in it, as many have had serious injuries with both of those forms of exercise, some of which incapacitating. I have personally suffered multiple rib subluxations with yoga and Pilates before realizing that this was not doing me any good. Head stand positions are a no-no, as due to lax blood vessels the rush of blood to the head caused me acute migraines and chocking. I also suffered tears in both aductors, the psoas muscle and have since had femoral nerve damage as well. The only form of exercise I have managed to withstand is walking, swimming, Tai Chi and Qi Gong.

Replied By Josh Webb (USA) on 10/05/2020
I came across this in my studies and I'm wondering if anyone has tried Hawthorn "The oligomeric procyanidins in Hawthorn have demonstrated a collagen-stabilizing activity in vitro, enhancing the cross-linking of collagen fibers, and thereby strengthening connective tissue.33"

I'm not sure if any studies have been done with this herb but it's worth a look.

Replied By Shane (FL) on 04/14/2021
Hi,

Did you ever try using the hawthorn or find any more information?

Replied By Patricia (Ny) on 12/13/2017

Stretching is the worse thing for EDS, Avoid -resistance bands -most stretching exercises -weights -heavy isometrics -"no pain, no gain" -massage that involves stretching tissues -range of motion exercises that ask you to move to your full range of motion in hypermobile joints

Replied By Judy (New Jersey) on 07/23/2018

For EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) Try Black Seed Oil it's said this oil will cure everything except death or TRY Dead Sea Moringa powder mix with Coconut Water or Magnesium Oil massage on feet bedtime or last but not least Adult Stem Cells ..GOD BLESS

Replied By Manda (Usa) on 09/03/2018

I'm 31 and was diagnosed four years ago. The only yoga I do is chair yoga for seniors or very gentle restorative yoga. Many EDSers are from yoga backgrounds, drawn to yoga, and have the ability to be rock stars in yoga class. It's not a matter of "can", but "should". With EDS your ligaments and tendons are not rubber bands but rather like used bubble gum that stretches out and can become progressively looser. I still like it for lymphatic drainage and circulation. Gelatin doesn't hurt. It doesn't fix faulty collagen fibril production, and is definitely not a cure-all for EDS. I like it for the easy protein. I also think the amino acid profile helps with structures unaffected by EDS collagen like the meniscus, which is prone to tearing because of our increased range of motion.

Replied By Robbie (Florida) on 10/16/2023

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

The Rebounder helped a ton for me, as well as Solomon Seal on pain areas topically. I also add a mug of Celtic Sea Salt mixed with Coconut oil and warm water every morning. I wish more research came out.

Replied By Sara (CO) on 11/13/2023

Get yourself and your son on Metholatrd B vitamins. Ehlers-Danlos and general hypermobility have a strong correlation with a mutation in the MTHFR gene which regulates the processing of b vitamins. The metholated stuff is just bioavailable and I've read that it allows more healthy and complete structures to form.

Replied By Jean (CT) on 11/20/2023

I know this is old but hope you see it. How do you feel now? I have ED and since starting the Great Lakes gelatin, my chronic pain is almost gone. I know it's not a placebo effect. They can do studies on this until the cows come home that say it doesn't work. All I know is that it is working for me and the pain that I had.

Replied By judith (USA) on 12/10/2023
Hello Jean! Your post was lovely to read as my 21 year old daughter has many symptoms of EDS and is in constant pain and subluxating joints. She also has been dx with Lyme through blood tests and some MDs have said they feel her symptoms are Lyme-related and not truly EDS. In any event, I hope she will try the Great Lakes Collagen. I bought it for her but she had read too many articles saying it couldn't help. Thank you for sharing your positive experience! Blessings, judith

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