What is Collagen?

Collagen originates from the Greek term 'kólla,' which means 'glue.' In line with its etymological roots, collagen serves as an adhesive that binds different elements within our body.

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Collagen is an essential protein found naturally in the human body, serving as a vital component of connective tissue and representing the highest concentration of protein within the body.

Collagen makes up roughly 30% of the body's total protein and serves as a vital component in various body parts. It provides structure and strength to the skin, hair, nails, eyes, organs, bones, and tendons. Interestingly, the skin mainly consists of collagen, accounting for approximately 70-80% of its protein composition.

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The structure of collagen

Collagen protein consists of three amino acid chains in a triple-helical structure. Its unique structure enables collagen to provide exceptional strength and flexibility, offering structural support to the skin, muscles, tendons, bones, and more.

3 Types of Collagen

  • Type 1 Collagen

    Type 1 collagen makes up around 90% of the human body and is known to be the best collagen for skin. About 80-90% of collagen in human skin, is type 1 collagen. It collaborates with elastin to preserve skin resilience, fullness, and elasticity.

    Also found in bones, eyes, ligaments and tendons, blood vessels, and other connective tissues.

  • Type 2 Collagen

    Present in your cartilage, it acts as a soft cushion, preventing adjacent bones, such as those in your elbow, from grinding against each other.

    Type 2 collagen is also found in joints and the gut lining.

  • Type 3 Collagen

    Type 3 collagen is found in similar locations as Type 1 collagen, such as the skin, ligaments, blood vessels, and other connective tissues. Its role in the production of

    Type 1 collagen in the body may be crucial.

Collagen maintains the suppleness of your skin, strengthens bones and nails, and ensures smooth-joint function... until it no longer does.

The challenge begins in your 20s, as your body grapples with replacing collagen at a slower rate than it breaks down. Consequently, you lose an average of 1% of your collagen each year.

Three main causes behind this decline

  • The natural ageing process

    Similar to all cells in your body, cells responsible for collagen production, such as skin fibroblasts and cartilage chondrocytes, accrue DNA damage over time.

    As a result, with aging, the number of optimally functioning collagen-producing cells naturally diminishes, leading to lower collagen levels in the body.

  • Oxidative stress

    Excessive amounts of free radicals, known as oxidative stress, can be produced by the body in response to external factors.

    • UV Rays
    • Air pollution
    • Inflammatory diets

    Cell damage and accelerated collagen loss can occur due to unstable molecules stealing electrons.

  • Poor lifestyle

    Poor lifestyle, natural aging, and oxidative stress are major contributors to collagen depletion.

    • Smoking
    • High and regular alcohol consumption

    Adequate levels of specific vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Zinc, and Copper are essential for collagen production.

Reduced collagen production results in a loss of structure, leading to unpleasant head-to-toe symptoms.

  • Dry, wrinkly, saggy skin

  • Dull, brittle, limp, thinning hair

  • Weak, cracked nails

  • Gas, bloating, & discomfort

  • Sore, achy, creaky joints

  • Muscle soreness & weakness

  • Decreased flexibility

Combat aging and oxidative damage by incorporating hydrolysed collagen peptides into your routine

What are hydrolysed collagen peptides?

To reduce the molecular size of collagen, it is necessary to undergo a process known as hydrolysis. This process involves the breaking down of chemical bonds in collagen proteins into shorter molecules using water and enzymes.
Keep in mind the unique composition of collagen. It exists in a triple helix form and is relatively lengthy. Due to its substantial size, the body faces challenges in absorbing it efficiently.
Consuming collagen without proper absorption leads to wastage. As a solution, it is essential to break down collagen into smaller molecules, enhancing its absorption and effectiveness.

Do they even get to where they need to be?

One might question: wouldn't the body break down smaller collagen peptides into individual amino acids, similar to the digestion of other protein sources? The assumption that all proteins and peptides are fully broken down in the digestive tract has been challenged by recent research, particularly concerning collagen.
Numerous collagen dipeptides and tripeptides resist complete digestion, with up to 10% remaining intact upon entering the bloodstream. Subsequently, the body transports these hydrolyzed bioactive peptides to "areas of need," such as the skin, joints, and gut, where they can deliver their beneficial effects.
In essence, the key takeaway is this: if your hydrolyzed collagen peptides are sufficiently small to bypass digestion (less than 3kDa in molecular weight), there is no need for concern regarding their effectiveness.

Where's the proof?

Certainly, there's a wealth of evidence, and let's begin with the impact on the skin.
SKIN
In a noteworthy 2015 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology:
Researchers discovered that women who incorporated 10 grams of collagen peptides into their daily routine for 10 weeks experienced an impressive 8% increase in collagen density in the dermal layer. In comparison, no such increase was observed in the placebo group.

Shop hydrolysed collagen peptides that actually work