Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: what is it and what are its benefits?
Dietary Supplements based on Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen are becoming increasingly popular and gaining more and more space on the shelves of Pharmacies.
In this article we will try to shed light on what Collagen is, what its importance within our bodies is, and why Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen is the best choice.
Table of Contents
Collagen: what is it?
The collagen (o collagen) is the most abundant protein in the body and, more specifically , is the main protein of connective tissue in animals. It is the most abundant protein in the
mammals (about 25 percent of the total protein mass), accounting in the man
about 6 percent of body weight.
Collagen is a very important element within our bodies, as it is linked to so many actions that we perform on a daily basis. In fact, when we smile or concentrate by frowning, we subject these collagen fibers to stress that results in momentary creasing of the skin. Later, thanks to the functions of another protein (elastin) everything returns to nromality.
However, from the age of 25, the amount of collagen and elastin decreases making the skin less and less elastic and creating more and more wrinkles.
Collagen, where is it found in the human body?
As explained earlier, collagen is an essential protein in humans that is produced naturally by the body. This protein is indispensable for human survival as it is the main building block of the body’s connective tissues.
This protein, in the human body, is particularly concentrated at the level of bones, tendons, cartilage,skin, membranes and blood vessels.
Collagen, where is it found in food?
Collagen Fibers can also be taken in through the diet from foods such as lean meats, some types of fish, low-fat dairy products, peanuts, and legumes.
At the same time, by in fact choosing the right foods, we can find valuable allies to fight oxidative stress but especially to stimulate collagen production and protect existing collagen, such as Red Peppers, Tomatoes, Salmon, Potatoes, Turkey, Sunflower Seeds and Eggs.
How many types of Collagen are there?
There are numerous types of collagen proper and several proteins that have polypeptide structure largely assimilated to collagen. Twenty-eight types of collagen have been described in the literature so far.
However, the main types of collagen identifiable in the human body are 5:
- TYPE 1(CONNECTIVE TISSUE): It accounts for 90% of total collagen and enters into the composition of major connective tissues, such as skin,tendons,bones e cornea.
- TYPE 2(CARTILAGE): Type 2 collagen consists of wider fibers than type 1 collagen and is found in hyaline cartilage.
- TYPE 3(ELASTICITY): This is the collagen that makes up the structure of hollow organs, such as veins, arteries, uterus, and intestines, but it is also what helps make skin elastic and helps form scar tissue after an injury.
- TYPE 4: Found primarily at the level of the basal lamina, a thin sheet found at the level of epithelial tissues with the function of providing cellular and tissue support, anchoring the epithelium to the underlying loose connective tissue.
- TYPE 5: This type of collagen is found within the dermal-epidermal junction, placental tissues, cell surfaces, and hair.
Another type of classification that can be made for Collagen is its origin. In fact, being a substance derived exclusively from the animal world, depending on the animals from which it comes there are different types:
- Bovine collagen
- Porcine collagen
- Chicken collagen
- Marine collagen (or fish collagen)
Finally based on where it comes from, but also based on what part of the animal it is extracted from, different types of collagen are obtained. For example, type 1 collagen is mainly obtained from cow skin or pork rind, while type 2 collagen is mainly obtained from joint cartilage.
Why is collagen considered the ultimate beauty drink?
Unfortunately, collagen synthesis decreases with aging, while its degradation increases and with it the roughness of the skin, which becomes less firm and thinner.
For this reason, the Collagen Supplements find ample space in the
nutraceuticals Anti-Aging, which due to their direct benefits on skin quality, usually help in the improvement of skin aesthetics.
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: what is it?
Let us start with the assumption that the
Collagen, being large in size, is a protein that is difficult to digest.
To overcome this drawback the collagen is often sold in hydrolyzed form, undergoing hydrolysis processes with the aim of reducing it into lower molecular weight fragments. This aids its digestion and absorption in the intestines or skin in the case of topical application with cosmetics.
The most widely used Hydrolyzed Collagen is definitely Marine Collagen, due to its composition rich in essential fatty acids, omega 3 and protein. This type of Collagen is usually obtained from the skin and scales of sea fish, including salmon and cod.
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: what is it used for?
Supplementation with marine hydrolyzed collagen not only provides the “
bricks “for the synthesis of new collagen in the skin, but it is able to stimulate the biochemical processes that determine the formation of new collagen fibers (endogenous synthesis).
Specifically, collagen fragments containing the amino acids proline and hydroxyproline (which, as we have seen, are characteristic of collagen) stimulate the growth and migration of fibroblasts into the skin, where they provide for the synthesis of new collagen and the reorganization of the extracellular matrix
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: what are the benefits?
Going into specifics, we can divide the benefits into:
- Collagen for Bones:Especially in postmenopausal women, taking a dietary supplement of collagen significantly increases bone density in the vertebrae and femoral neck.
- Collagen for Joints.: being an essential component of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Decreased osteoarthritis symptoms were shown in people who took a type II collagen dietary supplement
- Collagen for Skin: At the skin level, collagen helps to maintain skin firmness, tone and turgidity, minimizing the presence of the wrinkles. It, in fact, is present at the level of the dermis where-along with elastic fibers and glycosaminoglycans-it gives rise to the three-dimensional structure that holds and supports the skin, giving it resistance and elasticity.
- Collagen for Cellulite: dowed to the layer of fat under the skin that presses against connective tissue, creating the typical appearance, called ‘orange peel’, and present in 80-90% of women. Collagen supplements improve skin structure, help burn fat and build muscle because of its high concentration of glycine, an amino acid that makes up creatine, the substance that fuels muscles during exercise.
- Collagen for the digestive tract.: particularly in people with irritable bowel syndrome, it appears that this protein helps rebuild the tissues of the digestive tract.
- Collagen for Hair: help to repair the fiber (the hair-forming cells) of brittle, weak and dull hair. In fact, it provides moisture, coats the cuticle (the outer layer of the hair) with a protective film and thickens the outer coating, increasing the volume of the hair.
When to take Collagen: in the morning or in the evening?
Collagen Supplements can be taken either in the morning or evening, however, taking them on an empty stomach is recommended to promote absorption.
Better Hydrolyzed Collagen?
Some studies conducted have indicated possible benefits by taking collagen supplements, such as improved skin elasticity, less joint pain, and improved nail growth and texture.
Since different functions are associated with each type of collagen, when taken as a supplement you can Choose according to the goal you want to achieve.
For younger, more elastic and glowing skin, collagen-rich type 1 sources are generally preferred, while for joint health benefits, type 2 is best.
It must be said, however, that the distinction is not so clear-cut, because, for example, bovine collagen(rich in type 1) can have positive effects in the treatment of joint pain
, particularly with regard to knee stiffness.
When it comes to supplements, however, it is important that they contain Hydrolyzed Collagen, that is, it has undergone a treatment whereby the collagen molecules are reduced to a minimum size. This causes the body to be able to absorb and digest them most efficiently and effectively.
Another important component, when evaluating the Collagen Dietary Supplements.
, is the presence or absence of Vitamin C. In fact, this vitamin plays a very important role in that it has the Function of stimulating collagen synthesis..
Marine Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid
Very often in Collagen Food Supplements, in addition to the very important Vitamin C, we also find Hyaluronic Acid.
This is the case with our DRK Marine Collagen Supplement, a product based on Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen, Rosehip titrated to Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Salt.
In addition to the already mentioned benefits of Marine Collagen, the Rosehip has antioxidant and restorative properties while Vitamin C contributes to the Collagen formation
and is useful for normal skin function.
Vegan Collagen: a greener and more innovative plant collagen
Collagen, or rather Collagen Fibers, is an element derived exclusively from the animal world: in fact, there is no such thing as plant collagen.
However, as we have seen above, there are multiple foods including plant foods that, through their components, can actively contribute by stimulating collagen production and maintaining existing collagen.
This is precisely the reason that prompted us to invest time and resources in the R&D of a Vegan Collagen Booster, which does not contain elements of animal origin, capable of stimulating Collagen production.
Thanks to an internal study carried out by one of our collaborators, who specializes in Chemistry, we have developed the formulation of the Capsule Food Supplement
DRK – Vegan Collagen
which ensures remarkable results due to the combination and synergistic effect of the raw materials within it.
Indeed, it contains:
Amino acids 1:
- L-Glycine
- L-Proline
- L-Alanine
- L-Lysine
2. Minerals:
- Iron Bisglycinate
- Copper Gluconate
- Zinc Citrate
- Manganese Gluconate
3. Liposomal Vitamin C
4. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)