Collagen supplements have been on the market for some time, especially in the beauty industry. However, they have also been criticized for a long time because they are often not of high quality or bioavailable or are advertised to customers with false promises. Many people do not know that collagen is the protein that occurs most naturally in our bodies. There are therefore several good reasons why supplementing this protein can really make sense for our health. We at Be The Change have therefore made it our mission to produce high-quality and bioavailable collagen products that are tailored to human biochemistry.
In this article, we would like to educate people about collagen and provide scientifically based explanations of how our bodies can really benefit from collagen as a supplement.
What is collagen?
Before we look at the benefits and capabilities of the body's own protein, collagen, we would first like to clarify what collagen exactly is.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and is an important component of our connective tissue, skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. Collagen is a complex protein made up of amino acids. There are different types of collagen, so its composition can vary depending on the type. However, the most common amino acids it is made up of are glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. These amino acids are crucial to the structure and function of collagen in our body.
The body's own production of collagen occurs through specialized cells called fibroblasts. The fibroblasts synthesize and secrete the various components of collagen, which are then assembled into fibers. These fibers form a framework that gives strength and structure to our skin, bones, tendons and ligaments.
This production of collagen is regulated by various factors, including our genetic predisposition, hormones and environmental factors. The process of collagen production is complex and the correct availability of nutrients such as vitamin C , copper and iron, which serve as cofactors for the synthesis of collagen, also play an important role. A healthy and balanced diet is therefore essential for our body's own collagen production.
Mother Nature's Fountain of Youth - Collagen
Do you remember how you used to laugh at adults as a child when you were told that you were “embarrassed or had pulled something in your back”? By now you have probably experienced a stiff neck yourself, struggled with a sprain for longer than you would have liked, or even told your offspring that you had sprained your back.
As we get older, almost all of us remember with nostalgia how, as a child, we could sleep as we wanted, fall as we wanted, and still mostly not suffer any long-term limitations, serious strains or long-term joint problems - collagen plays an important role in these nostalgic memories.
Because collagen forms a kind of framework that gives our skin and all its tissues strength and elasticity and holds the different tissues together, it also protects us from injuries. As we get older, however, our body's own production of collagen decreases, which can not only lead to signs of skin aging and less elasticity, but also to joint problems and a decline in bone health.
In short, the older we get, the more susceptible we are to injuries, strains and muscle problems. Our skin also becomes less firm and resilient as it once was. The decreasing production of collagen in the body as we get older is to some extent to blame for these developments.
The Lie in the Tube – False Promises & Lack of Scientific Basis
Because of this natural decrease in collagen, many people have been interested in taking collagen as a supplement for decades in the hope of regaining their youthful beauty and fitness. And where there is demand, there is also supply - even if the supply is not yet fully developed. The focus of most providers was on reducing wrinkles and the promise of a younger-looking skin. The actual potential of collagen and its absorption by the body was neglected.
Due to high demand, many companies have produced collagen creams and serums and promised their customers fewer wrinkles and firmer skin if they applied these creams. While the idea behind them was initially understandable, the scientific basis and practical effect were lacking. The topical creams and tinctures were laced with collagen that could not penetrate the actual skin barrier.
The use of collagen in beauty products such as creams is still widespread and is still suggested that they help to make the skin wrinkle-free. In fact, the molecules of collagen are too large to effectively penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
When collagen is applied to the skin in the form of a cream, most of it "stays" on the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. There is no scientific evidence that topically applied collagen can directly increase collagen production in the skin or replenish existing collagen.
However, the situation is different when it comes to oral and internal intake of collagen.
What can collagen really do and how should it be taken?
When collagen is supplied to the body in a bioavailable form and in the right form, collagen can actually help the body to compensate for some of its own loss and support the health of bones, joints and even skin.
Scientific studies indicate that taking collagen can have truly positive effects on improving skin moisture and elasticity when taken orally in high-quality form. A particularly important factor, especially for athletes and active people, is that collagen helps reduce joint pain in osteoarthritis and promotes bone growth. Since ligaments hold bones together and tendons connect muscles to bones, sufficient collagen plays an important role in our fitness and health. This is because ligaments, tendons and cartilage contain connective tissue that contains many strong collagen fibers.
Be The Change has therefore made it its mission to develop bioavailable collagen products that are tailored to human biochemistry and from which our body can really benefit.
High-quality collagen preparations from Be The Change
With our COLLAGEN EXTRA FORTE we have created an effective innovation in the sports sector. COLLGEN 50+ is specially formulated for people over 50 and supports vitality in everyday life. Our COLLAGEN HOLISTIC BEAUTY is a revolutionary beauty formula with highly effective collagen peptides.
Collagen Extra Forte is a dietary supplement made from hydrolyzed collagen peptide. It is particularly rich in amino acids, which are important for the development of our bones, cartilage and connective tissue. Our Collagen Extra Forte can therefore help to accelerate the regeneration of these structures and prevent injuries.
Strengthening our tendons and ligaments is crucial for our lifelong well-being and physical performance. The bovine collagen used for our Collagen Extra Forte meets the highest quality standards and has been tested for the absence of pro-hormones (anti-doping) for safety reasons.
Our collagen products are all of the highest quality and free from artificial additives. They are tested for their purity and effectiveness.
Sources
- Bolke L, Schlippe G, Gerss J, Voss W. A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 17;11(10):2494. doi: 10.3390/nu11102494. PMID: 31627309; PMCID: PMC6835901.
- Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16. PMID: 30681787.
- Kim DU, Chung HC, Choi J, Sakai Y, Lee BY. Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2018 Jun 26;10(7):826. doi: 10.3390/nu10070826. PMID: 29949889; PMCID: PMC6073484.