Everything you need to know about Collagen Protein

Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in your body that helps provide structure to your skin, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. It has been gaining a lot of attention lately due to its presence in nutritional supplements and cosmetic products. In this guide, we explore what is collagen, the types of collagen, and how it is essentially the glue that holds your body together. Ready to dive in?

What is Collagen?

The human body has one-third of collagen protein. It is a form of fibrous protein that helps in building bones, skin, ligaments, and muscles. It forms the structural matrix for your bones and skin. It’s because of the skin collagen your skin feels young and supple, your joints move seamlessly, and your bones stay strong.
Collagen can be better explained as the glue that holds your body together. Made up of amino acids, collagen contains glycine, proline, arginine, and hydroxyproline - they help with various important functions, such as improving gut health, immunity, wound healing, heart and liver health, and skin care.

Did You Know?

Your body loses up to 1.5% of its natural collagen every year after your early twenties. This is when the signs of aging start to appear, viz. non-elastic skin, dry skin, wrinkles, fine lines, brittle hair, painful joints, and bones. And to deal with these signs of aging, one needs collagen in the form of collagen supplements.

Collagen builders vs Marine Collagen vs Bovine Collagen

1. Collagen Builders

Collagen Builders are made up of completely natural ingredients that support collagen production in the body but are not necessarily made up of collagen. It is formulated to synthesize collagen without it being sourced from animal sources directly. It can be deemed useful for those who are vegan but wish to avail the benefits of collagen.

2. Marine Collagen

Marine collagen, on the other hand, comes from the skin or scales of fish which is the best collagen owing to its purity and efficacy. It contains type 1 and 2 collagen peptides, which are known to help your skin and also manage the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, which is an auto-immune disease. Marine collagen is the best collagen powder available as it is absorbed better by your body, which is why it’s more effective when it comes to the benefits. Also, studies say that marine collagen supplementation can help you deal with bone and skin repair. And as it’s obtained from marine life, marine collagen is slightly costlier than bovine collagen..

3. Bovine Collagen

Bovine collagen is made from cowhides. Mostly it contains type 1 and type 3 collagen along with amino acids. According to research, bovine collagen supplementation can improve laxity in chronologically aged skin. However, it has no impact on moisture retention. Also, bovine collagen is quite cheap compared to marine collagen.

What causes Collagen Loss?

Factors that can cause collagen loss are

• UV exposure (also called photoaging)
• Age
• Smoking
• Genetics
• Menopause
• Breathing in highly polluted air
• High consumption of processed food
• Stress

What are the benefits of collagen for skin?

Collagen, when consumed as a supplement, acts as a connective tissue and helps repair the skin barrier. It does so by replenishing the damaged or dead skin cells thereby bringing back the lost glow of your skin. This also helps the skin become and look more supple, and hydrated. Your body produces less skin collagen as you age, eventually leading to wrinkled and dehydrated skin, which is why additional collagen supplements can be beneficial after you enter your 20s.

What are the benefits of collagen for hair and nails?

Collagen is a rich source of essential amino acids that lead to a stronger structure of hair follicles. A stronger follicular structure means your hair is able to absorb more collagen which will result in reduced greying. Collagen also helps the cells fight damage to hair follicles, and can also help with the prevention of hair thinning and slowing down greying with age. Collagen is also power-packed with the necessary amino acids for nail growth and health, thereby also preventing brittle nails.

What are the benefits of collagen for our body?

Collagen is the main component of our body’s connective tissues and makes for about 25-35% of our body's protein content. That makes collagen extremely important to maintain optimum health. It helps the bones become denser as you age. A reliable collagen supplement can tremendously help replenish your bone health by improving bone mineral density. A combination of collagen peptides in your diet along with strength training also improves muscle mass.
With its large reserve of amino acids namely glycine, glutamine, and proline, collagen supplements are also effective in keeping the intestinal track and gut healthy. With time it also gives better structure to skin tissues and slows down the aging process.

What forms do you get collagen in India?

Collagen is available for purchase in stores and online in the following forms

• Powder
• Effervescent tablets
• Gummies
  
  

Signs you need Collagen Supplements

You cannot exactly measure when collagen levels have dropped, but there are a few symptoms of low collagen levels :

1. Wrinkles

When skin loses its elasticity and becomes wrinkled, it is one of the first signs of collagen depletion, especially if it happens in your late 20s.

2. Dental issues

Collagen encourages healthy gums and better teeth anchoring. A loss of collagen has been linked to loss of teeth or gum issues by various studies.

3. Slow muscle recovery

Collagen plays a role in aiding muscle flexibility and also repairing your muscles. If your body lacks collagen, you may experience slow recovery.

4. Dull or thin hair

Collagen is present in your hair follicles. A lack of collagen in the body can also affect the health of your hair leading to thin and lackluster hair

5. Leaky gut

Your intestines have tight junctions that absorb nutrients effectively before passing through your digestive system. A lack of collagen can weaken these intestine walls, leading to a leaky gut.

What to look for in a collagen supplement?

Before you buy a collagen supplement online, it is important to understand the varieties of the available protein.

1. Hydrolyzed collagen:

To put it simply, hydrolysis of collagen breaks down the protein into easy-to-process particles for better absorption in the body. That equals faster results. This collagen that is more bioactive is known as hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides.

How much collagen do you need per serving?

While you begin your collagen intake, you can start with 8-10gms of collagen and increase your dose gradually. Be sure to check the ingredient and nutritional chart of the pack before you consume it.

What sources of collagen should you be opting for?

Collagen is usually derived from bovine, porcine, marine, and eggshell sources. Bovine collagen is derived from cattle, porcine collagen is derived from pigs, marine collagen is derived from fish, while eggshell collagen is derived from eggshell membrane. These sources provide types I, II, III collagen which we have broken down below.

The human body contains around 16 different types of collagen, and they can be further divided into 3 types. Let’s take a look at them below.
Type I: 90 percent of our body’s collagen is made up of this type of collagen - which is densely packed fibers. It provides a structure to our skin, bones, cartilage, teeth, and connective tissues.
Type II: The second type of collagen is made up of loosely packed fibers and it is mainly found in our soft or elastic cartilages, that help cushion the joints.
Type III: The third type supports the structure of your muscles, arteries, and other organs. It supports the gut, muscles, blood vessels, and the uterus.

Another important thing to consider - Heavy Metal Testing

Many collagen powders are sourced from factory farms where the animals are exposed to high amounts of toxic chemicals through their diet and environment along with polluted drinking water, contaminated soil, etc. When collagen is extracted from such impure sources, heavy metals can often be included in the collagen powder you buy. Therefore it is extremely crucial to opt for a collagen powder that has a proof of heavy metal testing report, or claims to be free from mercury or other heavy metals.

When looking for the best collagen, it is best to keep these things in mind and opt for the purest source to get the most out of your collagen supplement.

Collagen Supplements Offered by Wellbeing Nutrition

1. Korean Collagen Supplement

The Korean Marine Collagen Peptides is sourced from deep sea fishes making it the purest, most potent, and more bioavailable. This finely powdered collagen comes from fish scales, free of harmful antibiotics and GMO feed. Marine collagen is hydrolyzed to a low molecular weight of 3000 Dalton, which makes it easy to consume, and easier for the body to digest and absorb, as compared to other collagen types.

Also, it comes with 100% absorption and bioavailability. It simply means your body can absorb this collagen to the fullest. Unlike most collagen supplements, Marine Collagen peptides are paleo and keto-friendly, gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, and GMO-free, kosher, and halal-certified. Also, the supplement is clinically tested, has no side effects, and has proven to offer the promised benefits. It provides 8000mg pure collagen per serving and is flavorless & odorless, making it easier to blend it with any beverage of your choice. It contains type I and III collagen which is optimum for anyone looking to get hydrated skin, enhanced bone and joint health, reduced wrinkles, healthier hair, and stronger nails. And all this makes Marine Collagen Peptides an easy and safe option for consumption.

2. Japanese Collagen Peptides

i) The Glow Japanese Marine Collagen Peptides comes with wild-caught pure Japanese marine collagen and several other ingredients such as bromelain, resveratrol, goji berry, glutathione, etc. These ingredients increase regeneration and renewal of skin cells, giving you a glowing complexion along with reduced fine lines, pigmentation, dark spots, and also slows down the aging process.

It is meant to help you improve skin radiance, elasticity, complexion, hydration, and overall skin health with prolonged use. This variant of collagen is best for anyone who wants to restore and renew their skin health and attain that healthy glow from within. The Glow Japanese Marine Collagen comes in a refreshing Tropical Bliss flavour, making it a fresh addition to your everyday edible skincare routine. You can also mix this versatile flavour in your daily smoothie, juice or breakfast bowl.

ii) The Beauty Japanese Marine Collagen Peptides also contains Premium Wild Caught Pure Marine Collagen (Types I & III) combined with clinically proven botanicals, complete amino acid profile, potent antioxidants & added ingredients such as rosehip, vitamin E, C, acerola cherry, and astaxanthin in precise doses.

These ingredients are 100% bioavailable and can help you achieve nourished hair, radiant skin, and stronger nails along with slowed down aging, skin elasticity, and hydration. This variant of collagen is best for someone looking to amp up their overall skin, hair, and nail health as well as reverse signs of aging due to external factors or age. It comes in a delicious mango-peach flavour and can be a perfect pick-me-up drink any time of the day.

Both of these Japanese Collagen variants are pure forms of collagen for skin that are 100% bioavailable and ethically sourced. You can choose from the two depending on your goal.

Wrapping up

The important thing to note here is that, as our body ages, we start to produce less collagen and also of lower quality. This results in the visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and less firm and supple skin. Our cartilage also starts to weaken as we age, due to the lack of collagen.

There may be hundreds, probably even more anti-aging collagen supplements in the market but only a handful, such as the Pure Korean Marine Collagen Peptides, stand out. So, if you want to enhance your skin, nail, bone, and hair health and want to look youthful, buy Marine Collagen Peptides now.

Got more questions about collagen? Let’s crack ‘em!

Can you take collagen when pregnant or breastfeeding?
Our collagen supplements are made with 100% plant-based ingredients that are safe for consumption by all. However, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it is best to consult your doctor before you start consuming collagen.

How does collagen help with weight loss?
Collagen is a form of protein that takes more time to get digested in the gut. This can help you avoid over-eating, beat cravings, and keep you full, which may help with weight loss.

Can men take collagen supplements?
Collagen supplements can be taken by anyone irrespective of sex or gender.

How long does it take for collagen to work?
It takes at least 6-8 weeks for any collagen supplements to show results.

How much collagen do you need each day?
Studies confirm that the human body needs between 2.5 to 15 grams of collagen every day. It could be through food sources or supplements.

References:
Shoulders, M. D., & Raines, R. T. (2009). Collagen structure and stability. Annual review of biochemistry, 78, 929–958. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.biochem.77.032207.120833

Song, H., Zhang, S., Zhang, L., & Li, B. (2017). Effect of Orally Administered Collagen Peptides from Bovine Bone on Skin Aging in Chronologically Aged Mice. Nutrients, 9(11), 1209. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111209

De Luca, C., Mikhal'chik, E. V., Suprun, M. V., Papacharalambous, M., Truhanov, A. I., & Korkina, L. G. (2016). Skin Antiageing and Systemic Redox Effects of Supplementation with Marine Collagen Peptides and Plant-Derived Antioxidants: A Single-Blind Case-Control Clinical Study. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2016, 4389410. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4389410

A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study, Liane Bolke, Gerrit Schlippe, Joachim Gerß, and Werner Voss, Nutrients, 2019, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102494, (https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/10/2494)
The Collagen Family, Sylvie Ricard-Blum, Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 2011, doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a004978, (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003457/)
Collagen Structure And Stability, Matthew D. Shoulders and Ronald T. Raines, Annual Review of Biochemistry, 2010, doi: 10.1146/annurev.biochem.77.032207.120833, (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2846778/)