Research
Every figure on this site, and where it came from.
This page is a bibliography rather than a sales page. It sets out what each study measured, how many people took part, where it was published, and what identifier you can use to find it yourself.
Evidence Standard
What counts as evidence here.
Four studies are peer-reviewed and published in indexed journals. Where a figure comes from an internal or unpublished study, it is labelled as such rather than presented alongside the peer-reviewed work.
Peer-reviewed and indexed
Clinical studies in humans
Participants across the two clinical studies
Earliest published study on the formula
Same Formula, Same Research
The formula studied is the formula sold.
A 2013 paper recorded the exact composition it tested. Expressed on the same basis, the Celergen capsule sold today matches it.
As published, 2013, per 100 mg
Celergen capsule today, same basis
Catanzaro et al. Drug Discoveries and Therapeutics, 2013;7(5):196-200. Composition as stated by the authors.
The Studies
Grouped by what they measured.
Inflammatory markers
Both markers significantly elevated at baseline and significantly decreased at twelve weeks
Researchers at Tufts University, working with two clinics in Spain, followed 87 participants across twelve weeks. Serum TNF and Substance P were both significantly elevated at the start against the control group. Both had decreased significantly by week twelve. Participants also reported improvement in functioning, fatigue and general wellbeing from week four onward. The study was open label, without a placebo control. Substance P had not previously been shown to respond to any molecule.
Tsilioni, Pipis, Cabrera Freitag, Carrillo Izquierdo, Freitag and Theoharides. Journal of Clinical Therapeutics, August 2019. PubMed 31303280
Skin and structure
Significant decrease in deep wrinkle depth
A single-blind case-control study of marine collagen peptides with plant-derived antioxidants including coenzyme Q10, grape skin extract and selenium. A separate controlled 28-day study of 43 women aged 40 to 55 recorded a significant decrease in deep wrinkle depth in 71 percent of participants, with fine wrinkles no longer visible in 77 percent. Skin elasticity, sebum production, dermal ultrasonic markers and plasma hydroxyproline were also measured.
De Luca, Mikhal'chik, Suprun, Papacharalambous, Truhanov and Korkina. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Volume 2016, Article ID 4389410.
Measurable improvement in the appearance of scarring
A clinical study recorded measurable improvement in skin recovery and the appearance of scarring, including post-surgical scars, in 85 percent of participants. The mechanism recorded was cellular, at the level of the fibroblast activity involved in tissue remodelling beneath the surface.
Haiun, Hersant, Durazzo, Sid-Ahmed-Mezi and Meningaud. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, October 2018. Hopital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France.
Proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis in damaged cells
An in vitro scratch assay measuring fibroblast proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis. Fibroblasts sit in the dermis and are the cells that produce collagen and elastin. This is laboratory work in cell culture rather than a study in people, and is reported here as such.
Marcellino, Mohania, Catanzaro, Nanda Kumar, Milazzo, Marotta, Locorotondo, Sedriep and Zerbinati.
Joint and cartilage
Reported improvement in physical performance
A study of 2,960 participants with joint discomfort, average age 61, taking 400 mg per day of the marine complex with a vitamin B and E complex across 30 days. Nearly 84 percent reported a noticeable improvement in physical performance over the period. Self-reported outcomes, without a placebo control.
Bio-DNA Cellular Marine Complex research. Full detail on the ingredient page.
Chondroitin sulphate content of Hydro MN Peptide
Hydro MN Peptide is a marine cartilage extract combining hydrolysed proteins, mainly collagen, with polysaccharides at 35 to 40 percent chondroitin sulphate. It is present at 40 mg per capsule. Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Composition per the manufacturer's specification.
Energy, recovery and oxidative stress
Oxygen consumption during exercise measured against placebo
Average oxygen consumption in participants was 38.3 ml per minute per kilogram at day zero, rising over 21 days of the marine complex against placebo. In a related study, 80 percent of participants recorded an improvement in recuperation after exercise.
Bio-DNA Cellular Marine Complex athletic performance research.
Inhibition of lipid peroxidation in combination with vitamin E
A laboratory study of lipid peroxidation in iron-overloaded hepatocytes. Vitamin E combined with the marine complex at 4 mg per millilitre inhibited lipid peroxidation by more than 90 percent, a stronger result than either agent alone. Cell culture work rather than a study in people. Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Bio-DNA Cellular Marine Complex antioxidant research.
Composition and purity
Independent screening for heavy metals and arsenic
Alongside its in vitro work, this paper documented the tested composition and reported independent laboratory screening finding no traceable heavy metals or arsenic. It is the source of the composition figures in the section above.
Catanzaro et al. Drug Discoveries and Therapeutics, 2013;7(5):196-200. Redox Laboratory, Monza, report 2013001054/LAB.
Figures drawn from self-reported outcomes, from studies without a placebo control, or from laboratory cell culture are described as such above. They are included because they are part of the record, not because they carry the same weight as the peer-reviewed clinical work.
By Ingredient
Three marine actives, studied separately.
Each of the three carries its own body of research. The pages below set out what was studied and what was found, ingredient by ingredient.
Bio-DNA Cellular Marine Complex
The primary marine active, from deep-sea salmon and herring. The broadest research base of the three, covering joint comfort, stamina and recuperation, fatigue and antioxidant activity.
The researchPeptide E Collagen
Marine collagen and elastin peptides. Studied for skin structure, hydration and the appearance of lines and wrinkles, including the 28-day study of 43 women aged 40 to 55.
The researchHydro MN Peptide
Marine cartilage extract, 35 to 40 percent chondroitin sulphate. Studied for skin structure and elasticity under UV exposure, and for glycaemic response.
The researchNext
The mechanism, and how it is made.
The Science page sets out what the markers are and why they matter. How It's Made covers sourcing, cold extraction and the full published formula.