The Truth About Collagen Supplements for Skin and Joint Health

Never heard of the extracellular matrix? It's more important for maintaining healthy skin and connective tissues than most people realize.

This matrix is present within all tissues and organs and is composed of glycoproteins (including collagen), proteoglycans, and hyaluronic acid. It's not just a space-filler; it provides structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells, helping keep them in a relatively constant position.

Collagen is a particularly significant component within this matrix, aiding in the integrity and health of various tissues.

If all of this sounds confusing, rest assured that by the end of this article, you'll understand collagen and collagen supplements more thoroughly and why they're such an important part of the extracellular matrix that supports overall skin and tissue health.

Below, we'll explore collagen's roles, how it helps to maintain overall health, and the best ways to obtain collagen, considering that most collagen supplements on the market are not absorbed or utilized well.

How Collagen Supplements Support Healthy Skin and Joint Health

Collagen is a glycoprotein that gives structure to much of our body, including skin, bones, and tendons. In fact, it's the most common protein not only in the extracellular matrix but also in the entire human body.

Here are some key facts to know about collagen:

• Ubiquity and Importance: Collagen's role is foundational across various parts of the body, especially connective tissues, as it represents 25 to 45% of the body's protein content (1).

• Diversity and Functionality: The human body contains at least 28 types of collagen (including types I, II, III, V, XI, XXIV, and XXVII), each serving unique functions in different tissues (4). For example, within the skin dermis, it contributes to elasticity and firmness, while in the joints and cartilage, it helps provide strength and shock absorption. It also supports the structure of the gut lining, liver, bone marrow, and organs of the lymphatic system,

• Aging and Collagen: As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which affects the integrity and appearance of our skin while also contributing to weaker joints, ligaments, and cartilage (3).

Why All Collagen Is Not Created Equal

The diversity of collagen types means that not all collagen impacts the body in the same way. The body modifies different types of collagen and uses them for unique purposes, such as to repair skin or strengthen the gut lining.

Because different types of collagen have different effects on the body, this means that if you want to improve your skin, or protect the mobility in your joints, you will need to make sure you are using the correct form of collagen. 

Here's more about how the body uses different types of collagen:

• Molecular Complexity: Collagen undergoes several modifications, such as hydroxylation and glycosylation, which can vary by tissue type and affect its function (10).
• Functional Specificity: Different types of collagen are tailored to meet the needs of specific tissues, influencing everything from elasticity to structural integrity (9).

Skin Collagen vs. Joint Collagen:

Understanding the differences between collagen types is crucial for targeting specific health outcomes, such as improving skin texture or joint health.

• Dermal Collagen: skin is primarily made of type I, which is crucial for maintaining skin's firmness and elasticity (1). Type I is by far the most abundant type of collagen found within the skin, helping to give it its youthful, firm texture and appearance.

• Specialized Roles: Types VII and XVII collagen are critical for connecting the outer and inner skin layers, impacting both appearance and function (12, 13).

• Joint Collagen: Joints are mainly made up of type II, which is essential for the strength and flexibility of cartilage in joints (11). Joint collagen is crucial for delaying conditions like osteoarthritis, where the breakdown of collagen in cartilage leads to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Supplements containing type II collagen are often recommended for promoting joint health and alleviating symptoms related to joint disorders (11).

How Collagen Peptides Boost the Body's Natural Synthesis

As we age, our body's collagen production declines, necessitating sources like supplements to help replenish it. There are several types of collagen supplements, some that are more absorbable than others. 

• Forms of Supplements: Collagen can be supplemented in the form of peptides, amino acids, or whole collagen. Collagen peptides are particularly effective due to their bioactive properties, which allow the body to use them most easily (15).

• Bioactive Peptides: These are generated from collagen through enzymatic hydrolysis and have a range of health-promoting properties, from enhancing skin hydration to maintaining the body’s healthy inflammatory process(16).

Benefits of Supplementing with Collagen Peptides:

Collagen peptides not only supplement the body's collagen levels but also stimulate natural collagen synthesis, improving overall tissue health. Below are some of the main benefits of collagen supplements, specifically bioactive peptides:

• Promotion of Elastin and Collagen Synthesis: Peptides can activate fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin, strengthening the skin's extracellular matrix (17, 18).

• Inhibition of Degrading Enzymes: Collagen peptides can inhibit enzymes that break down collagen, prolonging its lifespan in the skin (19).

Key Factors Influencing the Efficacy of Collagen Peptides

To help maximize the benefits of collagen peptides, it's important to pay attention to your diet and lifestyle, which can  play a significant role in how well you absorb and utilize collagen supplements. 

Here are tips for reaping the most benefits from collagen supplements:

• Regular Intake: Consistency is key in seeing visible results from collagen supplements. Use it daily for an extended period of time for the greatest effects.

• Healthy Diet and Lifestyle: Combining supplements with a diet rich in vitamin C and antioxidants enhances collagen synthesis. Choose supplements that combine Collagen Peptides with these essential compounds. For instance, our product, Cellular Skin Renewal, acknowledges the synergy between Collagen Peptides and antioxidants to safeguard from oxidative stress and protect fibroblasts that are responsible for collagen production.

• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol and caffeine to improve skin health further.

• Sun Protection: Protecting skin from UV damage is crucial for maintaining collagen integrity.

The Power of Verisol®:

Unfortunately, most collagen supplements fail to directly impact skin health. They are broken down into basic amino acids used for general bodily processes rather than targeted collagen production in the skin.

In fact, we estimate that about 99% of all collagen supplements on the market are not designed or tested for specific uses within the body.

It's essential to choose the right type of collagen supplement if you want it to work and provide real benefits.

To maximize efficacy, we recommend opting for a proven collagen supplement like Verisol®, which is formulated with bioactive collagen peptides that the body easily absorbs. Unlike Verisol®, collagen peptides are not broken down into small amino acids that are as easily absorbed as Verisol® is.

Verisol®, a patented formula found in our Cellular Skin Renewal formula, has undergone thorough testing, demonstrating proven efficacy for skin collagen activation. In human trials, Verisol® has been shown to contribute to:

Verisol® operates uniquely by helping your body's own fibroblasts—the skin's collagen-producing cells—generate more collagen and replace damaged ones. This makes it stand apart from other collagens on the market, as it works with your body to boost collagen levels from the inside out effectively.

Debunking the Myth of 'Vegan Collagen' Products

While vegan alternatives to collagen exist, they do not provide the same benefits as true animal-derived collagen. Real collagen can only come from animal sources; therefore, vegan supplements are not an equal substitute but rather a source of amino acids from plant-based ingredients. 

• Regulatory Definitions: True collagen is derived from animal tissues, and no plant-based product can provide the same amino acid profile (22).

• Genetically Modified Options: Though not yet widespread, genetically engineered collagen may offer a synthetic alternative in the future.

Bone Broth vs. Collagen Peptides: What's the Real Deal?

Bone broth is often touted as a natural source of collagen, but it doesn't provide the same concentration of amino acids as commercial collagen peptides.

• Amino Acid Content: commercial collagen supplements offer a more reliable and concentrated source of collagen-specific amino acids, making them the most concentrated source of collagen (23).

• Health Risks: while bone broth can offer some nutrients and potential benefits, regular consumption of bone broth can potentially lead to the accumulation of unwanted ingredients that can leach from animal bones, such as lead, posing possible health risks (24).

Final Thoughts on Collagen Supplements

Understanding the different types and functions of collagen is essential for choosing the right collagen supplements to support skin and joint health. 

Collagen, the most crucial structural protein, imparts firmness, elasticity, and density to the skin. With aging, its levels decline, resulting in visible surface changes such as wrinkles and fine lines. Supporting the health of your body's fibroblasts becomes essential to maintain collagen levels, ensuring youthful and healthy skin for as long as possible.

Within our Cellular Skin Renewal formula, you'll find Verisol®, a patented, bioavailable collagen that's been proven to contribute to rejuvenated skin and improved overall health. Don't just waste your money on any collagen; choose the right type for your specific health needs and witness the transformation in your skin's texture and joint health.

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