The Science Behind Collagen Supplements
Here at Absolute Collagen, we want you to know the facts as well as feel good. Find out a bit more about collagen, how it helps your skin & the science behind collagen supplements.
First Things First, What is Collagen?
Collagen is most commonly found in the skin, bones and connective tissue within the body, providing structural support, strength and a degree of elasticity (in combination with elastin). In particular, collagen can be found in the dermis. Collagen fibers in the dermis provide the infrastructure for elastin, this maintains the skin’s elasticity, the dermis also houses hyaluronic acid, to hold moisture.
Collagen is secreted by a variety of different cells, but primarily by connective tissue cells and in the skin, the fibroblasts are responsible for production. While young, the body consistently produces collagen but production naturally declines with age, reducing the structural integrity of the skin and leading to the formation of lines and wrinkles and sagging skin.
Indeed, research shows that, unfortunately, collagen levels begin to deplete from the age of 25. By the time we get to 40, we will have lost around a third of our collagen, which can cause our skin to wrinkle and sag.
As the fibroblasts cells responsible for producing collagen naturally decrease due to ageing, the visible signs of ageing become more prominent. In the dermis - collagen helps form a fibrous network, upon which new cells can grow. Collagen is also required for the replacement and restoration of dead skin cells.
Collagen is a major structural protein found inside and outside of our bodies. It is a unique building material composed of amino acids that provide strength and structural support to our skin, hair, nails, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.
What Does Marine Collagen Do?
Now for the collagen supplements science. Absolute Collagen contains fish collagen, also known as ‘marine collagen’. Extracted from cold-water fish, Tilapia and Pangasius, we refine it to remove the unpleasant fishy odour and taste while retaining the collagen’s nutritional value.
Marine collagen is bioavailable when ingested, because it’s been hydrolysed which means broken down into tiny pieces. Collagen in its native form cannot be ulitised by the body. Bioavailability refers to the rate at which a substance is absorbed into the body when ingested. Marine collagen is absorbed through the intestinal barrier into the bloodstream and then carried throughout the body as amino acids. Here’s the clever part, this then stimulates your own body to create more collagen where it’s needed. This may be in your skin, hair, nails, tissue or joints.
How Does Absolute Collagen Work?
Our liquid formula provides you with a high dose of collagen in a concentrated daily dose in a convenient travel-friendly sachet. Each 10ml serving of our supplement contains 8000mg of hydrolysed marine collagen. Our advanced formula is also infused with vitamin C, essential in stimulating collagen synthesis and assisting in antioxidant protection against UV-induced damage.
Collagen Research Articles & Studies
While we have accumulated over 1,000+ positive reviews via phone, email & social media, we understand the importance of clinical research, peer-reviewed studies and collagen supplement science. Below is a list of studies relevant to marine collagen and its effects on the body. We update this list regularly when new and credible studies are published.
To date several controlled clinical trials have been performed proving the efficacy and benefits of collagen peptides on skin properties, such as hydration, elasticity and reduction of wrinkles and recently a number of therapeutic formulations of hydrolysed collagen have been developed for the treatment of skin ageing.
Wrinkle reduction
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study with a daily supplementation of Peptan (the collagen brand used in Absolute Collagen) or placebo over 90 days showed a reduction in wrinkles:
- 13% around the eyes
- 10% around the mouth
In a further double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled clinical trial was carried out in France on 47 women aged 35-55 years with normal to dry skin. The positive outcome showed a 30% decrease in the formation of deep wrinkles, after supplementation of 10g of hydrolysed collagen.
Improved hair strength
Peptan, the collagen type used in Absolute Collagen, effectively increased the break force of hair making it healthier and stronger:
- 13% increase of hair strength
Skin hydration improvement
Peptan has been demonstrated to not only increase skin's collagen density but also its moisture level. In this clinical study, Peptan collagen has been shown to:
- Increase skin hydration by 28% after 8 weeks
91% of the Peptan-supplemented group reported higher skin hydration levels during the same period.
Peptan reduces collagen fragmentation
Fragmentation is responsible for the breakdown in strength and resilience causing our skin to age. In a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trial with 10g Peptan supplementation or placebo per day for a period of three months, Peptan has been shown to:
- decrease the fragmentation of the collagen network by 31% after twelve weeks of intake
All clinical trials mentioned can be found here, along with further research.
- The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network
- An Overview of the Beneficial Effects of Hydrolysed Collagen as a Nutraceutical on Skin Properties
- Hydrolyzed collagen contributes to osteoblast differentiation in vitro and subsequent bone health in vivo
- Collagen peptides improve knee osteoarthritis in elderly women: A 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis
Our Own Marine Collagen Studies
In November 2019 we conducted a survey of 714 customers who had been taking Absolute Collagen for just 6 weeks.
- 93% said their skin felt softer
- For those suffering with hair loss 81% said the hair texture had improved
- 77% had noticed an increase in firmness in their skin
Our recent hair trial also revealed that Absolute Collagen for women improved hair texture.
If you’d like to gain a better understanding of the benefits of taking a collagen supplement, why not read our reviews and testimonials? Alternatively, why not try Absolute Collagen for yourself!
Disclaimer
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Individual results will vary and are dependent on skin type and skin condition.