Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: what is it and what are its benefits?
Dietary supplements based on Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen are becoming increasingly popular and are gaining more and more shelf space in pharmacies.
In this article, we will clarify what Collagen is, its importance in our body, and why Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen is the best choice.
Collagen: what is it?
The collagen (or collagen) is the most abundant protein in the body and, more specifically, is the main protein of the connective tissue in animals. It is the most abundant protein in mammals (approximately 25% of total protein mass), accounting for inman approximately 6% of body weight.
Collagen is a very important element in our body, since it is involved in countless actions we perform every day. In fact, when we smile or concentrate by furrowing our brow, we subject these collagen fibers to stress, resulting in a temporary crease in the skin. Subsequently, thanks to the functions of another protein (elastin), everything returns to normal.
However, starting at age 25, the amount of collagen and elastin decreases, making the skin less and less elastic and causing more and more wrinkles.
Collagen, where is it found in the human body?
As explained previously, collagen is an essential protein in humans that is naturally produced by the body. This protein is indispensable for human survival because it is the main building block of the body's connective tissues.
This protein is concentrated particularly in the bones, tendons, cartilage, skin, membranes, and blood vessels.
Collagen, where is it found in food?
Collagen fibers can also be consumed through the diet, thanks to foods such as lean meats, certain types of fish, low-fat dairy products, peanuts, and legumes.
At the same time, by choosing the right foods, we can find valuable allies to combat oxidative stress, but above all 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 with a polypeptide structure that is largely similar to collagen. So far, the literature has described 28 types of collagen.
However, the 5 main types of collagen found in the human body are:
- TYPE 1 (CONNECTIVE TISSUE): It represents 90% of total collagen and is part of the composition of the main connective tissues, such as skin, tendons, bones and cornea.
- TYPE 2 (CARTILAGE):Type 2 collagen is made up of wider fibers than type 1 and is found in hyaline cartilage.
- TYPE 3 (ELASTICITY): This is the collagen that forms the structure of hollow organs, such as veins, arteries, the uterus, and the intestine, but it also helps make the skin elastic and helps form scar tissue after an injury.
- TYPE 4: It is found mainly in the basal lamina, a thin layer present in epithelial tissues that provides cellular and tissue support by anchoring the epithelium to the underlying loose connective tissue.
- TYPE 5: This type of collagen is found within the dermo-epidermal junction, in placental tissues, on cell surfaces, and in hair.
Another type of classification that can be made for Collagen is based on its origin. In fact, since a substance derived exclusively from the animal world; depending on the animals it comes from, there are different types:
- Bovine collagen
- Porcine collagen
- Chicken collagen
- Marine collagen (or fish collagen)
Finally, depending on its origin and also on the part of the animal from which it is extracted, different types of collagen are obtained. For example, type 1 collagen is mainly obtained from bovine skin or pig rind, while type 2 collagen is mainly obtained from joint cartilage.
Why is collagen considered the ultimate Beauty Drink?
Unfortunately, collagen synthesis decreases with age, while its breakdown increases, along with skin roughness, making it less firm and thinner.
For this reason, Collagen Supplements are widely used in nutraceuticals Anti-Aging, which, thanks to their direct benefits for skin quality, usually help with improving the appearance of the skin.
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: what is it?
Let’s start with the premise that Collagen, being a large molecule, is a protein that is difficult to digest.
To overcome this drawback, collagen is often sold in hydrolyzed form, undergoing hydrolysis processes intended to reduce it into fragments with a lower molecular weight. This facilitates its digestion and absorption in the intestine or through the skin in the case of topical application with cosmetics.
The most widely used Hydrolyzed Collagen is certainly Marine Collagen, thanks to its composition rich in essential fatty acids, omega-3, and proteins. This type of Collagen is usually obtained from the skin and scales of marine fish, including salmon and cod.
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: what is it used for?
Supplementation with hydrolyzed marine collagen not only provides the “building blocks” for the synthesis of new collagen in the skin, but is also able to stimulate the biochemical processes that determine the formation of new collagen fibers (endogenous synthesis).
In particular, 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 in the skin, where they facilitate the synthesis of new collagen and the reorganization of the extracellular matrix.
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: what are the benefits?
More specifically, we can divide the benefits into:
- Collagen for the Bones: Especially in postmenopausal women, taking a collagen dietary supplement significantly increases bone density in the vertebrae and femoral neck.
- Collagen for the Joints: as it is an essential component of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. A reduction in osteoarthritis symptoms has been observed in people who took a type II collagen dietary supplement
- Collagen for the Skin: at the skin level, collagen helps maintain the firmness, tone, and fullness of the skin, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. It is present in the dermis, where - together with elastic fibers and glycosaminoglycans - it forms the three-dimensional structure that supports the skin, giving it strength and elasticity.
- Collagen for Cellulite: dcaused by the layer of fat beneath the skin pressing against the connective tissue, creating the typical appearance known as ‘orange peel’, and present in 80-90% of women. Collagen supplements improve skin structure, help burn fat, and build muscle, thanks to their high concentration of glycine, an amino acid that makes up creatine, the substance that fuels muscles during exercise.
- Collagen for the Digestive System: particularly in people with irritable bowel syndrome, this protein appears to help rebuild the tissues of the digestive tract.
- Collagen for Hair: it helps repair the fiber (the cells that make up the hair) of damaged, weak, and dull hair. It provides hydration, coats the cuticle (the outer layer of the hair) with a protective film, and thickens its outer layer, increasing hair volume.
When to Take Collagen: In the Morning or Evening?
Collagen supplements can be taken either in the morning or evening; however, taking them on an empty stomach is recommended to aid absorption.
Best Hydrolyzed Collagen?
Some studies have indicated possible benefits from taking collagen supplements, such as better skin elasticity, less joint pain, and improved nail growth and strength.
Since each type of collagen is associated with different functions, when taken as a supplement it is possible to choose based on the goal you want to achieve.
To have younger, more elastic, and radiant skin, sources rich in type 1 collagen are generally preferred, while type 2 is best suited for joint health benefits.
It should be noted, however, that the distinction is not so clear-cut, because, for example, bovine collagen (rich in type 1) may 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, meaning that it has undergone a treatment that reduces the collagen molecules to minimal size. This allows the body to absorb and digest them as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Another important component when evaluating Collagen-based Food Supplements is whether or not Vitamin C is present. In fact, this vitamin plays a very important role because it stimulates collagen synthesis.
Marine Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid
Very often, in Collagen-based Food Supplements, in addition to the very important Vitamin C, we also find Hyaluronic Acid.
This is the case with our DRK Marine Collagen, a product based on Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen, Rosehip standardized in Vitamin C, and Sodium Hyaluronate.
In addition to the aforementioned benefits of Marine Collagen, Rosehip has antioxidant and restorative properties, while Vitamin C contributes to Collagen formation and is useful for the normal function of the skin.
Vegan Collagen: greener and more innovative plant-based Collagen
Collagen, or rather Collagen Fibers, is an element derived exclusively from the animal world: in fact, plant-based collagen does not exist.
However, as we have seen previously, there are many foods, including plant-based ones, that, thanks to their components, can actively contribute by stimulating collagen production and preserving existing collagen.
This is precisely why we were motivated to invest time and resources in the Research & Development of a Vegan Collagen Booster that contains no animal-derived ingredients and is capable of stimulating Collagen production.
Thanks to an internal study conducted by one of our colleagues, who specializes in Chemistry, we developed the formulation for the DRK – Vegan Collagen Capsule Food Supplement, which ensures remarkable results thanks to the combination and synergistic effect of the ingredients it contains.
It contains:
1. Amino acids:
- 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)
