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Collagen – why you need it!
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Collagen plays a significant structural role in connective tissues, cartilage, bone, nails, skin, and hair.
DID YOU KNOW “At the age of 25, our collagen levels start to deplete. By the age of 40, our body’s ability to produce collagen decreases by 25%; by age 60, it has decreased by over 50%."
Collagen- different collagen types
The body is so smart, using different types of collagen for different roles in the body. The body’s biochemical brilliance means that certain collagen fibre types are found more abundantly than others in various parts of the body. This is because they have different ‘jobs’ to perform: some for strength, some for shock absorption, and others as a web on which other structural components build, providing tensile strength or elasticity.
So…. which is right for you?
The five most common types are:
• Type I: skin, tendon, vasculature, organs, bone (main component of the organic part of bone)
• Type II: cartilage (main collagenous component of cartilage)
• Type III: reticulate (main component of reticular fibres), commonly found alongside type I
• Type IV: forms basal lamina, the epithelium-secreted layer of the basement membrane
• Type V: cell surfaces, hair.
All of these collagen fibre types are important in their own way. But whilst collagen decline in the skin is easier to see, it’s less so in the bones, ligaments, tendons and cartilage.
In recent years, there has been a real interest in bone broths and amino-acid-rich foods for skin, joint and gut health. But these dietary sources are known to contain proteins with high molecular weights, which are often not efficiently absorbed. Rather, many people choose to supplement with low-molecular-weight hydrolysed collagen peptides. This is especially useful for people looking to manage their collagen levels through nutrition.
At Healtharena, we offer a range of collagen sources so you can choose the one that is right for you.
Most companies produce collagen from only one source, e.g., bovine, porcine, marine, chicken, or vegan.
Some people have fish allergies and are therefore unable to use marine collagen, so bovine may be the right choice for them.
Why Marine Collagen?
Marine collagen mainly consists of Type I collagen. It is an efficient source of protein, with lower greenhouse gas emissions than bovine. Perfect for those who don't eat meat. Our marine collagen is entirely sustainably sourced, Friend of the Sea certified.
It is worth noting that the scientific community recommends that around 5000mg of these bovine collagen brands daily is the optimal dose for skin and joint support. Of course, people choose to supplement with more or less than this, depending on their own physiological needs. However, formulations with 5000mg reflect levels used in research trials, meaning that this amount has been shown to have positive effects in different body systems.