As a naturopath with over a decade and a half helping patients get well and stay well, getting the right information about a new wellness product is critical to getting transformative, life changing results.
I’ve put together a comprehensive guide on collagen supplements for the skin to help cut through all the noise out there, and help you understand if collagen supplements are right for you in 2021.
Table of Contents
- What is collagen?
- What are collagen supplements?
- What exactly is in a collagen supplement?
- Different types of collagen
- Do collagen supplements for skin work?
- How do collagen supplements work to improve your skin?
- Are collagen supplements safe?
- Are there any side effects of collagen supplements?
What is collagen?
Collagen is protein made up of amino acids. It provides structural support to the extracellular space of connective tissues. Due to its rigidity and resistance to stretching, it is the perfect matrix for skin, tendons, bones, and ligaments.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, making up to 35% of the whole body protein content. Collagen is the stuff that holds us together. It’s found exclusively in animals and humans. (There are no vegan sources of collagen).
What are collagen supplements?
Collagen supplements fall in to two different categories;
- Supplements containing actual collagen from an animal source. The most common are bovine (cows) and marine (fish).
- Supplements containing different ingredients that supports the body’s own natural formation of collagen.
GLOWSO™ is a combination of both types. We have sourced the most researched collagen in the world which is bovine derived, and we have combined this with potent nutrients like Vitamin C, Biotin, Vitamin E and Zinc that supports the bodies internal wellness and formation of its own natural collagen. GLOWSO™ also contains potent antioxidants such as Kakadu plum and lutein and zeaxanthin that can act like potent protectors.
What exactly is in a collagen supplement?
A supplement that contains collagen is animal derived. As I mentioned before, it’s usually from bovine or fish sources.
After months of research, I selected bioactive hydrolysed collagen peptides which are bovine sourced to put into my collagen supplement GLOWSO™. Hydrolysed collagen means that the protein has been broken down into easily digestible peptides and in this format it is better able to be absorbed by the body.
The bovine collagen peptides are produced from the original collagen source with a series of technical processes including extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, purification, concentration, sterilization and drying. The process guarantees a high degree of safety, as demonstrated in numerous international studies.
The production processes are optimised to obtain different peptides with different functions. Therefore, the triple helix (this is the shape of the collagen under a microscope) is broken up. Long chains are hydrolysed to form shorter chains and further hydrolysis leads to short peptides, some of which are bioactive with body stimulating function.
Different types of collagen
There are at least 16 types of collagen. The four main types are type I, II, III, and IV
- Type I. – Accounts for 90% of your body’s collagen and is made of densely packed fibres. It provides structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth.
- Type II. – Loosely packed fibres and found in elastic cartilage, which cushions your joints.
- Type III. – Supports the structure of muscles, organs, and arteries.
- Type IV. – Helps with filtration and is found in the layers of your skin.
It is important to note that the bioactive collagen peptides that we use In GLOWSOTM are derived from type I & III raw material. Once degraded to peptides in the production process the type of collagen from the raw material is hardly detectable anymore.
Therefore, the collagen type has little to no influence on the clinical efficacy of the bioactive collagen peptides.
Do collagen supplements for skin work?
Yes! Collagen supplements can be great for the skin but it depends if you choose quality and scientifically proven collagen.
Collagen is the major structural component of skin, comprising about 80% of its dry weight. Skin properties are known to be affected by factors going on inside the body plus environmental factors including aging, diet, nutrition, ultraviolet radiation, toxicity and hormones.
I created GLOWSO™; so I could give my clients a scientifically backed collagen supplement that really works. There are so many collagen supplements out there and I knew I could create something so much better.
The collagen in GLOWSO™ has delivered these incredible results in just 4 weeks;
- 65% increase in collagen in the skin
- 32% reduction in periorbital wrinkles (crowsfeet)
- 10% increased skin elasticity
- 18% increased elastin in skin
How do collagen supplements work to improve your skin?
Collagen can stimulate skin metabolism and counteract the loss of collagenous extracellular matrix from the inside.
When you ingest the natural bioactive collagen peptides that are optimised for skin and beauty applications can experience noticeably firmer and smoother skin with less wrinkles. Results also include an improved skin surface structure, reducing cellulite and a fast nail growth with reportedly less chipping of fingernails.
When collagen is taken orally it can systematically affect the collagen metabolism in the dermis rather than reaching the outer layers of the skin like creams and other topical products do.
The specific peptides that we use in GLOWSOTM are recognised by fibroblast cells (this is a type of cell that can build things) in the dermal layer of the skin as broken-down bits of collagen. This stimulates these cells to increase the body’s own natural collagen production to counter-balance what it thinks is the collagen breaking down in the skin.
The result is a considerably higher production of dermal collagen and overall extracellular matrix, replacing what is lost through aging and other factors.
Are collagen supplements safe?
Overall, collagen peptides are very safe for consumption, and few side effects, complaints, or cautions are reported.
In regards to judging if any supplements are safe it to see if its listed with the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) as a therapeutic medicine. To be registered on the TGA the supplement must be deemed safe by scientific backing.
GLOWSOTM is one of the only collagen products that is listed on the TGA. You can tell if a supplement is listed on the TGA by locating the Aust L number that is printed on front of the supplement label.
Are there any side effects of collagen supplements?
Collagen supplements are generally considered safe and nontoxic for healthy individuals. Most people won’t experience any adverse side effects.
However, everyone is different, and everyone’s body reacts to products in unique ways.
If you do have concerns it’s paramount that you consult with your health care professional for guidance.
Conclusion
Introducing a collagen supplement into your wellness and beauty regime is a very beneficial addition.
Most of the benefits you hear about have some truth to them as long as you choose a reputable supplement like GLOWSOTM that is backed by science and is listed on the TGA. It also has added benefits of the other ingredients and antioxidants to give a wholistic approach to beautiful skin and positive aging.
Get in touch if you have any questions about collagen supplements, I’m here to help! – team@glowsohealth.com