Collagen – For a fit, resilient body & healthy skin

Collagen supplements have been on the market for some time, particularly in the beauty industry. However, they have also been criticized for a long time because they were often not manufactured to high quality or bioavailable or were advertised to customers with false promises. Many people don't know that collagen is the most naturally occurring protein in our bodies. There are therefore some valid reasons why supplementing this protein can really be useful for our health. We at BE THE CHANGE have therefore made it our mission to produce a high-quality and bioavailable collagen product that has been tailored to human biochemistry. We present: Collagen Extra-Forte.

In this article we would like to provide information about collagen and explain scientifically how our body can really benefit from collagen as a supplement.

What is collagen?

Before we delve into the benefits and capabilities of the body's own protein, collagen, let's first clarify what collagen is exactly.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies 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, which is why its composition can vary depending on the type. However, the most common amino acids that compose it 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 makeup, hormones and environmental factors. The process of collagen production is complex and the proper 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, as a child, you used to laugh at adults when you heard them say that they “were embarrassed or had something pulling on their backs”? - by now you've probably experienced a neck strain yourself, struggled with a sprain for longer than you might have liked, or even told your offspring yourself that you sprained your back.

As we get older, almost all of us nostalgically remember how, as a child, we could sleep as we wanted, fall down as we wanted, and still usually not suffer any long-term restrictions, serious strains or long-term joint problems - collagen plays a role in this nostalgia Memories play an important role.

Because: Because collagen forms, so to speak, a framework that gives our skin and all its tissues strength and elasticity and holds the various tissues together, it also protects us from injuries. However, as we age, our body's production of collagen decreases in the body, which can not only lead to signs of 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 become to injuries, strains and muscle problems. Over time, our skin is no longer as firm and resilient as it once was. The body's declining production of collagen with increasing age 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 supplements for decades in hopes of regaining their youthful beauty and fitness. And where there is demand, there is also a supply - even if the supply is not yet fully developed. The focus of most providers was on reducing wrinkles and promising younger skin. The actual potential of collagen and its absorption by the body have been neglected.

Due to the high demand, many companies have produced collagen creams and serums and promised their customers fewer wrinkles and firmer skin when they apply these creams. While the idea behind it was initially understandable, it lacked the scientific basis and practical impact. The topical creams and tinctures were infused with collagen that couldn't penetrate the actual skin barrier.

The use of collagen in beauty products such as creams is still widespread and is still suggested to help make 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, it largely remains on the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. There is no scientific evidence that topically applied collagen is able to directly increase collagen production in the skin or supplement existing collagen.

However, the situation is different when taking collagen orally and internally.

What can collagen really do and how should it be taken?

When collagen is supplied to the body in a bioavailable and correct form, collagen can actually help the body compensate for some of the body's 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 a high quality form. A particularly important factor, especially for athletes and active people, collagen offers to reduce joint pain in osteoarthritis and promote bone growth. Since the ligaments hold the bones together and the tendons connect the muscles to the bones, sufficient collagen plays an important role in our fitness and health. Because: Ligaments, tendons and cartilage contain connective tissue that contains many solid collagen fibers.

Over the past few months, BE THE CHANGE has therefore set itself the task of developing a bioavailable collagen product that is tailored to human biochemistry and from which our body can really benefit.

High-quality collagen preparation from BE THE CHANGE

With our COLLAGEN EXTRA FORTE we have created an effective innovation in the nutrition and beauty sector. Collagen Extra Forte is a dietary supplement obtained from hydrolyzed collagen peptide. It is particularly rich in amino acids, which are important for building our bones, cartilage and connective tissue. Our Collagen Extra Forte can help accelerate the regeneration of these structures and prevent injuries.

Strengthening our tendons and ligaments is crucial to 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 for safety reasons (anti-doping). Our collagen product is not only suitable for athletes but also for beauty lovers.

Collagen Extra Forte is of the highest quality and free of artificial additives. It is regularly tested for its purity and effectiveness.

Our collagen supplement is also particularly suitable for athletes and people with an active lifestyle to support the regeneration of muscles, tendons, skin and joints.

Sources

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.