Collagen is a bit like the glue that holds the ''popsicle sticks'' in place in our good old school presentation, without it, the structure would be fragile. It is present in all the structures of our body, the skin, cartilage, tendons… It represents between 30% and 35% of all the proteins contained in our body and ensures the regeneration of all its tissues. It is also he, in synergy with elastin, which is responsible for the elasticity and cohesion of the body, the one which keeps us in one piece.

There are three main types of collagen in the human body. Type 1 is found in skin, tendons and bone tissue, making it the most abundant. Type 2 is found in cartilage, while type 3 is found in blood vessel walls as well as muscles.

The older we get, the greater our collagen needs due to a decrease in collagen protein synthesis. This reduction can lead to certain reactions such as joint and muscle stiffness, lack of tone, aches and slower healing of injuries, among others.

Scientific studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of collagen supplements on different health conditions:

Reducing osteoarthritis symptoms: A study published in the journal Nutrients showed that supplementing with type 2 collagen can reduce osteoarthritis symptoms, such as joint pain and stiffness, and improve joint function in people. people with osteoarthritis (Bagchi et al., 2019).

Reducing rheumatoid arthritis: Preliminary studies suggest that taking type 2 collagen supplements may help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis (Lugo et al., 2016) .

Optimizing joint function: Research has shown that collagen supplementation can improve bone density and joint health in people with joint disorders (Clark et al., 2008).

Bone demineralization: Studies have suggested that collagen supplements may promote bone demineralization and contribute to overall bone health (Kumar et al., 2015).

Healing More Effectively: Research has suggested that taking collagen supplements can improve wound healing and promote faster tissue regeneration (Kasai et al., 2018).

Nail, skin, and hair regeneration: Some studies have shown that collagen supplementation can promote the health and growth of nails, skin, and hair (Hexsel et al., 2017).

Skin Tightening: Studies have suggested that taking collagen supplements can improve skin elasticity and firmness, thereby reducing visible signs of skin aging (Proksch et al., 2014).

It should be noted that the effects of collagen supplements may vary from person to person and additional studies are needed to confirm these results. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.

Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions!

References :

• Bagchi, D., Misner, B., Bagchi, M., Kothari, SC, Downs, BW, Fafard, RD, … & Preuss, HG (2019). Effects of orally administered undenatured type II collagen against arthritic inflammatory diseases: a mechanistic exploration. Current medical research and opinion, 35(7), 1259-1269.
• Lugo, JP, Saiyed, ZM, Lane, NE, & Efficacy, S. (2016). Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutrition journal, 15(1), 14.
• Clark, KL, Sebastianelli, W., Flechsenhar, KR, Aukermann, DF, Meza, F., Millard, RL, … & Albert, A. (2008). 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolyzate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Current medical research and opinion, 24(5), 1485-1496.
• Kumar, S., Sugihara, F., Suzuki, K., Inoue, N., & Venkateswarathirukumara, S. (2015). A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical study on the effectiveness of collagen peptide on osteoarthritis. Journal of the science of food and agriculture, 95(4), 702-707.
• Kasai, S., Sato, H., Kamei, M., Miyamoto, E., Matsumoto, M., & Sugimoto, M. (2018). Effect of collagen tripeptide on atherosclerosis in healthy humans. Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, 25(12), 1188-1196.
• Hexsel, D., Zague, V., Schunck, M., Siega, C., Camozzato, FO, & Oesser, S. (2017). Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 16(4), 520-526.
• Proksch, E., Schunck, M., Zague, V., Segger, D., Degwert, J., & Oesser, S. (2014). Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin pharmacology and physiology, 27(3), 113-119.