Manner again in 2011 I blogged about collagen, a complement that was rising in recognition for osteoarthritis. I wasn’t impressed on the time, and since that point I nonetheless obtain the occasional e mail telling I’m an fool within the thrall of Large Pharma, and if I might solely take a look at their YouTube video, I’d see the errors of my methods.
13 years later and regardless of my publish, collagen has solely grown in recognition, and is promoted for pores and skin, hair and common longevity. Let’s check out the proof behind what is claimed to be billion-dollar market.
What’s Collagen?
Collagen is the main element of connective tissue within the physique and probably the most considerable protein — it’s a few quarter of our physique mass, and is present in pores and skin, muscle, tendons, and so on. . Your leather-based coat? Consider it as a collagen coat. There are dozens of forms of collagen, with varieties I, II, and III being probably the most prevalent within the human physique. Kind I, nearly all of our collagen, is product of densely packed fibers, in enamel, bones, ligaments, pores and skin, and connective tissue. Kind II collagen is positioned within the elastic cartilage of joints. Kind III collagen is discovered within the construction of muscle tissue, arteries, and organs.
Collagen is a triple helix of fibrils that are fashioned from amino acids. It’s not static, and breaks down as a result of oxidative injury and regular metabolism by collagenase. Critical collagen points within the physique can imply extreme sickness. Lobstein syndrome (osteogenesis imperfecta), is a congenital illness that leads to the failure to provide kind I collagen, which leads to exceptionally brittle bones. Or consider scurvy — now uncommon, however as soon as the worst factor about prolonged sea voyages. Vitamin C is a obligatory cofactor for collagen synthesis. With out it, a number of techniques are affected, and organic catastrophe ensues, beginning along with your enamel falling out. Historical past’s first medical trial was carried out by James Lind, a British Royal Navy doctor, to check quite a lot of scurvy cures, together with the one which labored: recent lemons.
Each scurvy and Lobstein’s are mainly collagen scarcity illnesses. However, apparently, have you learnt what doesn’t work for both scurvy or Lobstein’s? Consuming collagen.
Why complement with collagen?
As we age, our our bodies naturally begin decreasing collagen manufacturing. You might even see it first as wrinkles in your pores and skin. Our physique creates collagen from amino acids, not collagen itself. Collagen will be a wonderful supply of protein, nonetheless. Collagen-rich meals, as soon as eaten, are damaged down into oligopeptides and amino acids, which might then be absorbed into the bloodstream and used to construct numerous proteins, together with collagen in any connective tissue.
Collagen peptides are a preferred complement and could also be referred to as hydrolyzed collagen or collagen hydrolysate. It’s small chains of amino acids. A typical methodology used to provide collagen peptides is by making ready gelatin from fish, hen or one other animal, after which breaking down the gelatin additional.
There’s some proof that oral collagen peptides might enhance pores and skin elasticity and hydration. Nevertheless, it’s not clear if the enhancements are actually significant – or when you might get the identical outcomes from simply consuming extra protein of any variety. There isn’t a good proof that making use of topical collagen peptides to the pores and skin does something – this is able to be like pondering rubbing a steak in your physique will assist construct muscle. There isn’t a cause or proof to counsel that we will take in significant quantities of protein by means of the pores and skin itself.
Lastly, I used to be unable to seek out any convincing proof that collagen dietary supplements profit or have an effect on hair development/shine/thickness or quantity. Supplementing for nail well being and energy, one of many authentic makes use of of collagen, is supported by solely weak unblinded non-randomized proof.
Conclusion: An costly protein complement?
Primarily based on what collagen is, the way it’s absorbed, and the way we all know collagen is definitely synthesized within the physique, it’s extremely implausible that the tiny quantities of extra protein consumed in most collagen peptide dietary supplements consumed day by day can have any significant therapeutic results. Furthermore, there isn’t a proof that when you take a collagen complement, it’s going to definitively find yourself in your pores and skin, hair, or joints. Collagen peptides and different types of collagen are sources of protein which can be absorbed and utilized by the physique. However there isn’t a compelling proof to reveal that they supply any significant advantages over different inexpensive protein dietary supplements – or extra merely, simply consuming a food regimen with satisfactory quantities of protein.