Did you know that 30% of the total protein in your body accounts for collagen, and it represents 80% of the dry mass of the skin?
Even though the use of collagen supplements and other collagen products is on the rise, most people are not aware of what collagen is or what it does in the body. It is well known that the body is largely made up of water and that protein is an essential building block. We’ve all heard that our skin, hair, and nails consist of protein, but what we may not realize is that collagen is not the same type of protein as muscle. Collagen makes up a significant portion of the body and provides structure, strength, and support, essentially holding the body together.
Understanding Collagen's Role Our skin is constantly regenerating itself, with this regenerative process taking around 2-4 weeks to complete. During this time, the outermost layer of skin is shed and replaced with new cells from the deeper layers. In order for the skin and cells to regenerate, collagen is required.
Additionally, collagen forms and connects parts of the body such as bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
While collagen improves skin elasticity and holds the body together, it also contributes to things like wound healing. Collagen is necessary to help our blood clot properly when we get injured. For example, when we have a cut, collagen helps form a kind of patch to stop the bleeding. It works with other substances to gather cells that aid in clotting.
Beyond the skin, collagen provides a protective barrier for our organs. It provides structure and tension in the tissues and fasciae surrounding them, dividing the body into various compartments to ensure their proper function.
Different Types of Collagen
To date, approximately 28 different types of collagen have been identified, each unique in its distribution, structure, and function in the body.
- Collagen Type I: The main type, comprising 90% of the body’s collagen, providing structure to skin, teeth, bones, tendons, ligaments, vascular ligature, and organs.
- Collagen Type II: Mostly found in cartilage, supporting joint function.
- Collagen Type III: Found in the skin, muscle, blood vessels, and arteries.
- Collagen Type IV and V: Found in the layers of the skin, hair, nails, and placental tissue.
It’s important to note that most collagen supplements are generalized, being either type 1 or type 3. The latest marketing trend is for supplement brands to say their products contain all four types of collagen (Type II, II, III, and IV). This however does not matter because once collagen is in the body, that distinction is less important.
What’s critical when choosing a collagen product is whether it has been hydrolyzed, its bioavailability, and whether there are specific scientific studies to back up the brand. Knowing where your collagen comes from is also important.
Uvora’s Collagen is hydrolyzed, meaning it has been broken down into smaller peptides, making it easier for the body to absorb.
Uvora’s specialized range of collagen is further refined into specific bioactive collagen peptides (BCP), designed for enhanced solubility and bioavailability. Depending on its molecular weight, it targets specific cells in the body. Generalized collagen and even hydrolyzed collagen peptides do not have this targeted effect, making them potentially less effective for specific needs.
Where Does Collagen Come From?
Collagen is part of animal tissues and is traditionally derived from bovine, porcine, marine sources, and eggshell membranes. Vegan-derived collagen products are increasing in popularity due to social and religious motivations, but it’s important to know that vegan collagen supplements only stimulate collagen production, rather than supplying the original form, and human clinical trials are lacking. There is no vegan collagen, as collagen is derived from animals.
What Contributes to Collagen Decline?
- Age-related decline and disease: From our mid-20s, collagen production starts to decline, with approximately 1% collagen loss per year. As we age, signs of collagen loss become more apparent, such as wrinkles, weaker and stiffer joints, and slower wound healing. This reduction is even more pronounced after menopause and becomes significant after age 60. Additionally, age-related diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis are associated with collagen decline, as these conditions result from the breakdown of connective tissues that rely on collagen for structure and strength.
- Lifestyle habits: Several lifestyle factors contribute to the decline of healthy collagen:
- Smoking: Damages the skin, leading to wrinkles and visible signs of aging. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, preventing oxygen and nutrient delivery, which accelerates collagen breakdown.
- Excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates: Weaken collagen production in the body by triggering processes that degrade collagen fibers.
- Alcohol: Reduces collagen production and impairs the skin's repair mechanisms, accelerating skin aging.
- Caffeine: Inhibits prolidase, an enzyme crucial for collagen synthesis, limiting the body’s ability to produce collagen. It also acts as a diuretic, dehydrating the body and making the skin appear duller. Caffeine stimulates cortisol production, a stress hormone that negatively impacts collagen.
- Sun exposure: Accelerates collagen breakdown, leading to premature aging and skin damage.
How to Boost Collagen Production
Diet: In the past, we consumed more animal parts like bone broth and organ meats, which are naturally high in collagen. The rise in vegan and vegetarian diets, which eliminate animal sources altogether, contributes to the decline in collagen consumption. Although there are many plant-based proteins, these types of collagen supplements simply cannot substitute for collagen derived from animal sources, which correspond to our body’s own collagen building blocks in their molecular structure. Bone broth has also become popular in recent years. It provides a high amino acid content, but absorption and bioavailability may be less than collagen peptides, and very few people have the time to prepare their own bone broth consistently.
Incorporating foods such as oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli, which are rich in vitamin C, and consuming a diet with adequate protein sources and other supportive nutrients can help boost our natural collagen production. The amino acids glycine and proline make up a large portion of the amino acid profile of collagen, and these nutrients are also found in red meats, turkey, chicken, mushrooms, cabbage, asparagus, and fish.
Unfortunately, certain ailments or gut health issues can affect nutrient uptake via the intestine, regardless of your diet. Chronic diseases, stress, and other intense psychological strain can also slow down the uptake or synthesis of nutrients in the body.
The Importance of Consistency
Consistency is important in any supplement regime and so too when it comes to reaping the benefits of taking collagen. Consuming collagen on a daily basis ensures that your body has a steady supply of this vital protein to support various functions. Here’s why consistency matters:
- Optimal Absorption: Taking collagen supplements daily allows your body to absorb and utilize the amino acids and peptides more effectively. Sporadic use may not provide the same level of benefit, as the body needs a constant supply to repair and maintain tissues.
- Visible Results: Regular consumption of collagen supplements can lead to more noticeable improvements in skin elasticity, joint health, and overall well-being. Users often report visible results within 4-8 weeks of consistent use. On the flip side, we’ve had clients report that they could feel a noticeable difference in their joints health when they stopped taking their collagen for a given time.
- Maintaining Levels: As we age, our natural collagen production declines. Consistent supplementation helps maintain collagen levels in the body, supporting healthy aging and reducing the visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin.
- Supporting Recovery: For people with an active lifestyle or people recovering from injuries, consistent collagen intake can help with faster recovery. Collagen supports the repair of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Creating a Routine: Incorporating collagen into your daily routine makes it easier to remember to take it. Whether it's adding it to your morning smoothie, coffee, or simply mixing it with water, finding a routine that works for you ensures you don't miss a dose.
We have a beautiful glass container with a bamboo lid that can sit on your countertop, helping you keep the collagen in sight and in mind.
Conclusion
Even when we have our diets dialed down, it is difficult to consume enough collagen through our foods to support the body’s collagen production. Supplementing with collagen is an ideal way to boost our natural collagen production. From skin elasticity to joint health, there is no denying that the benefits of collagen supplementation are extensive.
At Uvora, our specialized, bioactive collagen peptides are designed to enhance the bioavailability of your collagen supplement and target specific cells in the body. Whether you are looking for a beauty collagen supplement to support your hair, nails, or skin, or perhaps you need a more targeted collagen for your joint and bone health, explore our range of collagen supplements for your every need.
Our Beauty Collagen targets skin, hair and nails.
Our Flexi Collagen targets cartilage and joints.
Our Body Collagen targets lean body mass and fat mass.
