“Just because everyone says it doesn’t mean it’s true."

You would be surprised to know the number of myths that have been accepted as fact or common knowledge only later to be exposed by science and evolved technological facilities. We can start with the universally accepted fact that the earth doesn’t quite revolve around the Sun (nor is it flat!), not to mention the numerous myths around superfoods, low-fat diets, and willpower for weight-loss. The food industry, as well as the nutritional supplement industry, are full of myths disguised as clever marketing. Today, we’ll look a little closer at the specific myths surrounding the all-powerful beauty & health supplement, collagen and expose the facts and science behind them. So read on, and enjoy.

But before we bust these myths, here’s a little intro to the superfood on the tip of everyone's tongue, collagen.

What is collagen?

Collagen is the main structural protein in the human body’s connective tissues. It accounts for 25% - 35% of the total protein mass in mammals. It’s widely distributed in body organs so you will find collagen in bones, tendons, cartilages, ligaments, skin, blood vessels, hair, nails, and teeth.

Because of its tensile strength (a mechanical property of collagen fibers that enable them to limit tissue deformation and prevent mechanical failure), collagen accommodates numerous important structural functions within the body, ranging from keeping delicate skin resilient, firm and toned, to providing bones with the required rigidity and integrity the need to stay strong and healthy.

Although collagen consists of 28 different proteins, type I collagen is the most abundant kind, which forms more than 90% of the bone’s organic mass in the human body and accounts for 80% of human skin. The remainder of the skin's collagen (15%) is made up of with type III collagen. 

Collagen Myth No.1: “We don’t need to take collagen supplements. Our bodies produce collagen on its own."

It’s true. Your body does indeed produce collagen on its own accord. The production of collagen and its degradation are in dynamic balance in the body, where old collagen is replaced with new collagen in a continuous cycle. However, once you reach the age of 30, degradation of collagen becomes more intensive and the exposure to multiple environmental factors which accelerate the process of collagen degradation including stress, UV radiation, smoking, processed foods, and exposure to harsh chemicals can further degrade collagen reserves. These factors collectively deprive the body of collagen required for normal functioning tissues. So, once the skin begins to lose collagen as we age lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation begin to appear. This loss of collagen in bones often manifests itself as s osteoporosis and more serious health conditions.

Fortunately, it has been approved that administering collagen in the form of gelatin or collagen hydrolysate help to slow down and manage this inevitable aging process. Multiple studies concluded that ingestion of gelatin or collagen hydrolysate remarkably increased endogenous production of collagen by providing free amino acids as building blocks for the formation of collagen or as a promoter that stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen (1).

One of the most bioavailable sources of gelatin and hydrolyzed collagen is marine collagen, sourced from fish scales and/or fish skin. Marine Collagen is a rich source of type I and type III collagen that is abundant in skin and bones, making it one of the most favorable sources of collagen to consider for managing the aging process.

Collagen Myth Number 2: “Collagen supplements don’t work because the body can’t absorb them".

In other words, this is the assumption that collagen protein is destroyed in the intestine before reaching the blood, thus the body can’t actually benefit from it.

This is correct. There is no doubt that collagen as a protein hydrolyzed by intestinal enzymes to free amino acids before reaching the circulation won't be absorbed. However, premium collagen formulas like Wild-Caught Marine Collagen are enzymatically hydrolyzed offering a low-molecular-weight collagen-rich in glycine, proline and, hydroxyproline. Their small particle size ensures that the collagen remains intact following absorption, providing the body with building blocks to synthesize collagen on its own. Furthermore, marine collagen has been shown to accumulate in cartilage, dermis and other body parts where it’s bioavailable for absorption or for later metabolic processes. Although collagen supplements are not considered medicine, collagen has been recognized as safe food products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to their beneficial biological functions.

The health & beauty benefits of a sustainably-sourced Marine Collagen are plenty, which includes providing powerful anti-aging effects increasing skin hydration, decreasing the formation of deep wrinkles and improving the skin’s elasticity as we age. Premium Fish Collagen also helps to enhance wound healing through the action of Pro-Hyp, a marine collagen-derived dipeptide which has been reported to exert a chemotactic action on fibroblast and stimulates fibroblast proliferation. Non-GMO Marine Collagen can also help provide anti-inflammatory effects as Glycine (one of the major structural units of marine collagen) inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine via glycine-gated chloride channels (GlyR). Furthermore, studies show that anti osteoporotic and anti-osteoarthritic effects have been shown where oral administration of marine collagen with calcium and vitamin D has better effects on bone health than the administration of calcium and vitamin D on their own (2).

This brings me to the last myth about collagen,

Collagen Myth Number 3: “You can’t take collagen supplements with calcium due to risk of toxicity or a toxic hypercalcemia state.”

There is logical reasoning behind this belief as the risk of hypercalcemia is possible when consuming a collagen supplement sourced from shark cartilage or shellfish that normally contains a high percentage of calcium with calcium and vitamin D supplements. In this case, there is a logical reason to take caution in co-administering both supplements as there is a chance of raising the calcium levels to deleterious levels. On the flip side, taking daily marine collagen sourced from non-farmed fish is totally recommended in conjunction with calcium and vitamin D supplements to synergies the desirable effect of both on bone health. Furthermore, there are supplements on the market that combine collagen with calcium in order to manage osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. For these reasons, it’s safe to consume a fish collagen supplement alongside your calcium supplements at once (3).

Conclusion

My conclusion about these myths surrounding collagen is that if you’re wanting to better manage your health & beauty more effectively as you age, you should consider a daily routine of supplementing marine collagen from now on. It will benefit your skin, hair, nails, bones while helping you to maintain a healthy metabolism and build lean muscle. The list of anti-aging benefits is very long! As many of our collagen fans have said,

“You will fall in love with the effects you experience with Collagen Peptides!”

When shopping for a high-bioavailability Marine Collagen product, you should first consider the quality of ingredients. Amandean’s Non-GMO Marine Collagen is sourced from wild-caught cod from the pristine waters of the North Atlantic ocean and is produced in a cGMP-tested facility in Canada. Our product is rigorously tested to the highest industry standards. Furthermore, it’s best to choose an unflavored collagen powder so that you can easily add a daily scoop to your coffee, juice, water, or smoothie without changing its flavor. Amandean’s Marine Collagen is not only unflavored but is also gluten-free, fat-free, soy-free and contains no wheat, corn, eggs, dairy, soy, or yeast. If you’re looking for an ideal accompaniment to your Keto, Paleo, Bulletproof, or Whole30 diet, our Wild-Caught Marine Collagen is ideal. The extra protein will help you keep you feeling fuller for longer and stay on track with a high-protein diet.

Start enjoying the graceful aging benefits of Amandean's Premium Marine Collagen today and check out our selection of premium collagen in our online store. 

Article References

1. Sibilla, S., Godfrey, M., Brewer, S., Budh-Raja, A., & Genovese, L. (2015). An Overview of the Beneficial Effects of Hydrolysed Collagen as a Nutraceutical on Skin Properties: Scientific Background and Clinical Studies. The Open Nutraceuticals Journal, 8(1), 29-42. doi: 10.2174/1876396001508010029
2. Li, B. (2017). Beneficial Effects of Collagen Hydrolysate: A Review on Recent Developments. Biomedical Journal Of Scientific & Technical Research, 1(2). doi: 10.26717/bjstr.2017.01.000217
3. Rössler, A., Bernabé, J., Alexandre, L., & Giuliano, F. (2005). 509. Facilitation of proceptivity/sexual motivation in female rats by a serotonin 2A/2C (5-HT2A/2C) receptors agonist. European Urology Supplements, 4(3), 130. doi: 10.1016/s1569-9056(05)80513-5