17/08/2026
💊 Can collagen supplementation actually help your tendons heal? YES, but the type and dose matter a lot.
A recently published systematic review - Collagen Supplementation on Tendon-Related Structural and Performance Outcomes (2025) - looked at the evidence across eight randomised controlled trials and found strong evidence (GRADE A) that collagen supplementation increases tendon cross-sectional area and stiffness when combined with resistance training.
However, NOT ALL COLLAGEN IS EQUAL!
Generic collagen vs bioactive collagen peptides
For generic hydrolysed collagen, the systematic review found you need 15–30g per day to see meaningful tendon structural changes. At around 5g, generic collagen shows limited effect versus placebo.
Bioactive collagen peptides work differently. Pillar Performance Collagen Repair - Tendon & Ligament contains Tendoforte®, a patented peptide developed by GELITA in Germany, specifically engineered to target tenocytes and ligamentocytes - the cells that produce new tendon and ligament tissue. Rather than simply supplying amino acids, Tendoforte® acts as a signalling molecule, actively stimulating these cells to produce more collagen. In vitro studies show 1.2–2.4 times more tissue matrix produced when cells are exposed to Tendoforte® peptides.
Tendoforte® has its own dedicated clinical evidence at just 5g per day:
✅ In a study of 60 athletes with chronic ankle instability, 84% reported improved stability after 6 months compared to just 20% on placebo
✅ 96% experienced fewer ankle sprains during the same study period
✅ In athletes with Achilles tendinopathy, one of the most stubborn conditions to treat, 60% returned to running after just 3 months, with benefits persisting even after supplementation ceased
Two important things to remember:
🔹 Vitamin C is essential - required for collagen synthesis; already included in Pillar
🔹 Exercise is non-negotiable - both the systematic review and Tendoforte® trials consistently show supplementation works best alongside structured loading and rehabilitation exercise
What else sets Pillar apart:
🔹 Vitamin C, manganese, and copper - all essential cofactors for collagen synthesis
🔹 100% Informed Sport certified - tested for banned substances
🔹 Unflavoured - easy to add to any drink, shake, or coffee
🔹 Free from gluten, dairy, nuts, soy, and egg
Whether you're recovering from an Achilles injury, rotator cuff tear, patellar tendinopathy, or ligament sprain, the type of collagen you choose matters as much as taking it at all.
Pillar Performance Collagen Repair - Tendon & Ligament is available at the clinic. Ask your physiotherapist at your next appointment whether it could be right for you.