Is knee replacement horrible?
I have found my knee doesn’t hurt in warm weather. But it does in colder weather. I was told by a physical therapy friend eating geletin can actually build collagen in between joints. So I made some low sugar jello. When I eat it my knee doesn’t bother me but on days I don’t eat it seems my knee hurts. Am I imagining things?
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Hi and thanks for some very interesting questions today. My mother has had both knees replaced and she says it was what she expected for surgery (painful) but she is really glad she did it. Even though it was a challenging time for her, she is quite pain free now and she can take very long walks without a problem - including stairs and hills. She now takes a long walk every day to stay active. It's a really good idea to find out all you can about the whole thing and think about the pros and cons, and its important to keep moving as much as you can of course.
I did some research on gelatin and its really quite interesting. There has been a fair bit of research done on its benefits and researchers have concluded that it probably is helpful for joint disease, for chronic knee pain and other forms of osteoarthritis. Nutrition experts noted that its actually quite hard to get enough of some of the ingredients in gelatin from the average diet, which are mainly proteins that we can't make ourselves. So a supplement is helpful. And also there is a lot of gelatin in bone broth which has become very popular recently.
Some more info is below:
In one study, 80 people with osteoarthritis were given either a gelatin supplement or a placebo for 70 days. Those who took the gelatin reported a significant reduction in pain and joint stiffness (10).
In another study, 97 athletes were given either a gelatin supplement or placebo for 24 weeks. Those who took gelatin experienced a significant reduction in joint pain, both at rest and during activity, compared to those given the placebo (11).
A review of studies found that gelatin was superior to a placebo for treating pain. However, the review concluded that there was insufficient evidence to recommend that people use it to treat osteoarthritis (12).
The only side effects reported with gelatin supplements are an unpleasant taste, and feelings of fullness. At the same time, there is some evidence for their positive effects on joint and bone problems (13, 14).
For these reasons, it may be worth giving gelatin supplements a try if you're experiencing these issues.
SUMMARY:
There is some evidence for the use of gelatin for joint and bone problems. Because the side effects are minimal, it is certainly worth considering as a supplement.
Gelatin May Improve the Appearance of Skin and Hair
Studies carried out on gelatin supplements show positive results for improving the appearance of skin and hair.
One study had women eat about 10 grams of pork or fish collagen (remember that collagen is the main component of gelatin).
The women experienced a 28% increase in skin moisture after eight weeks of taking pork collagen, and a 12% increase in moisture after taking fish collagen (15).
In the second part of the same study, 106 women were asked to eat 10 grams of fish collagen or a placebo daily for 84 days.
The study found that the collagen density of participants' skin increased significantly in the group given fish collagen, compared to the placebo group (15).
Research shows that taking gelatin can also improve hair thickness and growth.
One study gave either a gelatin supplement or a placebo for 50 weeks to 24 people with alopecia, a type of hair loss.
Hair numbers increased by 29% in the group given gelatin compared to just over 10% in the placebo group. Hair mass also increased by 40% with the gelatin supplement, compared to a decrease of 10% in the placebo group (16).
Another study reported similar findings. Participants were given 14 grams of gelatin per day, then experienced an average increase in individual hair thickness of about 11% (17).
SUMMARY:
Evidence shows that gelatin can increase moisture and collagen density of the skin. It may also increase the thickness of hair.
It May Improve Brain Function and Mental Health
Gelatin is very rich in glycine, which has been linked to brain function.
One study found that taking glycine significantly improved memory and certain aspects of attention (2).
Taking glycine has also been linked to an improvement in some mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia.
Although it is not entirely clear what causes schizophrenia, researchers believe amino acid imbalances may play a role.
Glycine is one of the amino acids that has been studied in people with schizophrenia, and glycine supplements have been shown to reduce some symptoms (18).
It has also been found to reduce the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (19).
SUMMARY:
Glycine, an amino acid in gelatin, can improve memory and attention. It has also been found to reduce the symptoms of some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and OCD.
Gelatin May Help You Lose Weight
Gelatin is practically fat- and carb-free, depending on how it's made, so it's quite low in calories.
Studies show it may even help you lose weight.
In one study, 22 people were each given 20 grams of gelatin. As a result, they experienced a rise in the hormones known to reduce appetite, and reported that the gelatin helped them feel full (20).
Many studies have found that a high-protein diet can help you to feel fuller. However, the type of protein you eat appears to play an important role (21, 22).
One study gave 23 healthy people either gelatin or casein, a protein found in milk, as the only protein in their diet for 36 hours. The researchers found that gelatin reduced hunger 44% more than casein (23).
SUMMARY:
Gelatin may help with weight loss. It is low in calories and has been shown to help reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness.
Other Benefits of Gelatin
Research shows there may be other health benefits associated with eating gelatin.
It May Help You Sleep
The amino acid glycine, which is abundant in gelatin, has been shown in several studies to help improve sleep.
In two high-quality studies, participants took 3 grams of glycine before bed. They had significantly improved sleep quality, had an easier time falling asleep and were less tired the following day (24, 25).
Around 1–2 tablespoons (7–14 grams) of gelatin would provide 3 grams of glycine (9).
It Could Help With Type 2 Diabetes
The ability of gelatin to assist with weight loss could be beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes, where obesity is one of the major risk factors.
On top of this, research has found that taking gelatin may also help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar.
In one study, 74 people with type 2 diabetes were given either 5 grams of glycine or a placebo every day for three months.
The group given glycine had significantly lower HbA1C readings after three months, as well as reduced inflammation. HbA1C is a measure of a person's average blood sugar levels over time, so lower readings mean better blood sugar control (26).
It May Improve Gut Health
Gelatin may also play a role in gut health.
In studies on rats, gelatin was shown to help protect the gut wall from damage, although how it does this isn't fully understood (27).
One of the amino acids in gelatin, called glutamic acid, is converted to glutamine in the body. Glutamine has been shown to improve the integrity of the gut wall and help prevent "leaky gut" (3).
A "leaky gut" is when the gut wall becomes too permeable, allowing bacteria and other potentially harmful substances to pass from the gut into the bloodstream, a process that shouldn't happen normally (28).
This is thought to contribute to common gut conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
It Could Reduce Liver Damage
Many studies have investigated glycine's protective effect on the liver.
Glycine, which is the most abundant amino acid in gelatin, has been shown to help rats with alcohol-related liver damage. In one study, animals given glycine had a reduction in liver damage (29).
Furthermore, a study on rabbits with liver injuries found that giving glycine increased liver function and blood flow (30).
It May Slow Cancer Growth
Early studies on animals and human cells indicate that gelatin may slow the growth of certain cancers.
In a study on human cancer cells in test tubes, gelatin from pig skin reduced growth in cells from stomach cancer, colon cancer and leukemia (31).
Another study found that gelatin from pig skin prolonged the life of mice with cancerous tumors (32).
Moreover, a study in living mice found that tumor size was 50–75% less in animals that had been fed a high-glycine diet (33).
That being said, this needs to be researched a lot more before any recommendations can be made.
SUMMARY:
Preliminary research suggests that the amino acids in gelatin may help improve sleep quality, lower blood sugar levels and protect your gut.
How to Make Your Own Gelatin
You can buy gelatin in most stores, or prepare it at home from animal parts.
You can use parts from any animal, but popular sources are beef, pork, lamb, chicken and fish.
If you want to try making it yourself, here's how:
Ingredients
3–4 pounds (around 1.5 kg) of animal bones and connective tissue
Enough water to just cover the bones
1 tablespoon (18 grams) of salt (optional)
Directions
Put the bones in a pot or slow cooker. If you're using salt, add it now.
Pour in enough water to just cover the contents.
Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
Simmer on a low heat for up to 48 hours. The longer it cooks, the more gelatin you'll extract.
Strain the liquid, and then allow it to cool and solidify.
Scrape off any fat from the surface and discard it.
This is very similar to how bone broth is made, which is also a fantastic source of gelatin.
The gelatin will keep for a week in the fridge, or a year in the freezer. Use it stirred into gravies and sauces, or add it to desserts.
If you don't have time to make your own, then it can also be bought in sheet, granule or powder form. Pre-prepared gelatin can be stirred into hot food or liquids, such as stews, broths or gravies.
It is also possible to fortify cold foods or drinks with it, including smoothies and yogurts. You may prefer to use collagen hydrolysate for this, since it has the same health benefits as gelatin without the jelly-like texture.
SUMMARY:
Gelatin can be homemade or bought pre-prepared. It can be stirred into gravies, sauces or smoothies.
The Bottom Line
Gelatin is rich in protein, and has a unique amino acid profile that gives it many potential health benefits.
There is evidence that gelatin may reduce joint and bone pain, increase brain function and help reduce the signs of skin aging.
Because gelatin is colorless and flavorless, it's super easy to include in your diet.
You can make gelatin at home by following a simple recipe, or you can buy it pre-prepared to add to your everyday food and drinks.
Written by Alexandra Rowles, RD on June 4, 2017
healthline.com/nutrition/ge...
Wow! I’m so impressed with your reply. I am grateful for all of the research information you sent to me. I’m definitely going to include more geletin in my diet. I also need to stop eating carbs at night after my boys go to sleep. (Son and husband). I weigh 200 lbs. and so I know I need to lose weight. Shedding pounds I know would help a lot. It just seems so hard to do as I age. How do I thank you for your kind reply?
So glad that information was helpful. It actually made me look for bone broth in the supermarket! Good luck with avoiding carbs at night time, I know that is a kind of "rule" that health coaches say you should avoid carbs close to bedtime. Maybe you could just substitute water or herbal tea instead. When I have a craving for carbs I look for a healthier substitute - at least some of the time! Please keep posting and asking questions 
Very interesting, I believe I will give it a try
You might be on to something! Have to eat jello. My left knee is stiff. I think it is the cold temperatures
I had knee replacement surgery in June and I will tell you the first 2 weeks was totally awful and painful to move. But then it gradually started getting better less pain
I worked my behind off on the physical therapy
Everyone that had experienced a knee replacement said do the physical therapy . I’m in my 15 week now and moving good. Bending good and main thing no pain!!! So don’t wait if you need it do it and make sure do the physical therapy. Good luck
I’m so reluctant to have surgery. Scared. I’ve had good and bad operations. Do you know of a good knee replacement surgeon?
I know I was too I waited way to long to get the surgery I put it off for 9 months
I had a rough time getting the bend after surgery cause before surgery I couldn’t hardly bend it
That’s why I say don’t wait if you need it
Will only be harder if you wait too long
Don’t know where you live but I had dr Justin woodruff he is in Mesa az
He did a great job I was referred to him
Okay. I’ll look him up. Thank you!
Try wool leggings. They make a big difference for me. The American site People’s Pharmacy recommends purple grape juice with a tablespoon of Certo (pectin used in jam making). I have not tried it myself. Adding leaf gelatine to soups should be easy. May try that.
I’ve never heard of leaf gelitan. I’ll google it. Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately I’m allergic to wool. I just ordered 2 knee compression cuff with copper in them. I’ve heard copper can have healing qualities. We’ll see.
You get it in any supermarket. I think it is a bit nicer than powdered. You soak the leaf in cold water for ten minutes and then add it to hot liquid. Shame about the wool, you will have to explore other thermals.
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Alternatives to knee surgery
Knee pain exacerbated with inactivity - Now ride a bike
How often does knee pain affect your mood, sleep, or overall mental health?
