Spotting Quality Collagen: A Smart Buyer’s Guide
Collagen is arguably the biggest trend in both the beauty and health industry. Featured in a wide range of dietary supplements, beauty products, and wellness blogs, you won’t be faulted for questioning its immense popularity. However, the reality is that the collagen hype is well-deserved.
While there are many sources of dietary collagen, supplements are a fantastic and easy way to support healthy levels of collagen in the body, especially as you age. When searching for the best collagen supplements, ensure you select a high-quality product from a reputable brand that is free from additives and fillers.
What is Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It accounts for approximately 30% of all protein in the body and serves as the primary building block of skin, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue. It can also be found in blood vessels, organs and intestinal lining.
All proteins are made from amino acids. The main amino acids that form collagen are glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, which together create protein fibrils in a triple helix structure. Additionally, proper levels of zinc, copper manganese and vitamin C are needed to form these structures.
What Does it Do
The primary function of collagen is to provide essential strength, support and structure in the human body. It is specifically crucial for helping fibroblasts form in your dermis, the middle layer of the skin, aiding new cell growth. It also helps to replace dead skin cells, gives the skin elasticity, strength, and structure, helps blood clot properly, and forms a protective covering for fragile organs.
Although 28 different types of collagen have been identified, five main types have been recognised for their function and contribution to overall health and wellness. Type I makes up roughly 90% of the collagen found in your body. It is densely packed and vital for providing structure to tendons, ligaments, bones and skin.
Type II is found in elastic cartilage, providing joint support. Type III is located in arteries, organs and muscles. Type IV is found in the layers of the skin, and type V can be found in the cornea of the eyes, hair, some layers of the skin and the tissue of the placenta.
Potential Benefits
Due to the broad-acting effects of collagen on the body, it can potentially benefit your health in numerous ways. Collagen supplements may help to improve and maintain elasticity and hydration levels in the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other fine lines. Collagen protein provides much-needed structure to cartilage, an important tissue that protects joints. Boosting collagen levels in the body could help reduce pain associated with debilitating conditions like osteoarthritis, thereby improving overall joint health.
Collagen also plays a critical role in maintaining the strength and density of bones, reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis as you age. Furthermore, it is crucial for supporting the strength and growth of hair and nails and contains essential amino acids that contribute to muscle repair and growth of muscle mass.
Collagen Supplements
Multiple studies and emerging evidence suggest that collagen supplements may help to counteract the decline in natural collagen production levels, which slowly begin to decrease as we age. These supplements are produced using various sources. However, five common sources are proving to be the most popular.
Bovine collagen, sourced from cows, is rich in types I and III collagen, which is beneficial for the skin, joints, and bones. Marine collagen, produced from fish bones, skin, and scales, is a rich source of type I collagen. It has a high bioavailability level, meaning it can be easily absorbed by the body and may help boost skin elasticity and overall health.
Porcine collagen, sourced from pigs, has type I and III collagen. It is similar in composition to human cartilage and is primarily found in beauty products and dietary supplements. Chicken collagen, made from chicken bones and cartilage, is a good source of type II collagen. Many manufacturers use chicken collagen when creating supplements intended for joint health.
Finally, plant-based collagen boosters are products that contain various ingredients that stimulate collagen production in the body. Pure collagen can only be sourced from animals, but these vegan supplements will typically have vitamin C, amino acids and silica from seeds, vegetables and fruits, aimed to boost natural collagen synthesis.
