What is collagen?
Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins naturally produced in your body. More specifically, it’s the main structural protein that forms the connective tissues throughout your body–from the skin to bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. You can think of it as the ‘glue’ that holds your body together.

Unfortunately research shows that we begin losing roughly 1% of our collagen every year, starting from our 20s! This, unfortunately, leads to aging signs–fine lines, lifeless hair, and brittle nails

But does taking a collagen supplement actually work?

Studies show that taking collagen supplements does make a difference and can indeed help you achieve younger-looking skin. Several studies have now shown that collagen supplementation stimulates fibroblasts – the cells that manufacture collagen as well as increasing levels of fibrin and elastin in the skin. In a 2014 study, women who took a supplement containing 2.5 g to 5 g of collagen for 8 weeks experienced a significant increase in skin elasticity and less skin dryness compared to those who did not take the supplement.

Good for joints and arthritis. Collagen peptides have been proven to be effective in improving joint functionality, including flexibility and mobility. According to a 2014 study involving elderly women with knee osteoarthritis, the daily intake of collagen peptides had participants recording an improvement of 32% in joint pain, 44% in stiffness, and 22% in function. In a 2012 study, participants who took just 2 g of collagen daily for 70 days experienced a significant reduction in joint pain and were better able to engage in physical activity than those who did not.

Good for hair too. Collagen has been shown to exert powerful antioxidant activity, which can help neutralise the damaging effects of free radicals on hair growth. It appears that collagen can also provide the main building blocks (in particular, the amino acid proline) of keratin–the protein that enables healthy, thick, and luscious hair.

And also nails. Collagen, along with keratin, is one of the major proteins found in nail beds. More importantly, the collagen peptides from collagen supplementation contain the amino acid, arginine, which carries nitric oxide through the capillaries and into the nail bed. To put it simply, collagen supplementation improves the delivery of nutrients to the nail roots.  The result? Healthier, shinier nails. This is evident from a 2017 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, which showed that collagen supplementation over 4 weeks resulted in a 12% increase in nail growth rate and 42% decrease in the frequency of broken nails.

Reduces injury recovery time. If you lead an active lifestyle, you’re probably no stranger to soft tissue injuries (i.e. the damage of muscles, ligaments, and tendons)–often resulting from excessive overuse. You’re probably also well-aware of the long recovery time that lies ahead of any soft tissue injury, be it a ligament strain, sprain, or tear. Emerging evidence suggests that collagen supplementation may play a beneficial role in injury prevention and tissue repair. While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, researchers think that collagen peptides could help increase collagen synthesis in the connective tissues and/or modulate the inflammatory response to physical activity, which helps accelerate the recovery process.

May help with weight loss. As a protein, collagen is highly satiating. This will better allow you to stick to a calorie deficit, which will ultimately be the key to you successfully shedding off weight. According to a 2008 study assessing hunger hormones in 10 obese patients and 12 patients of normal weight, researchers found that the intake of gelatin (a substance derived from collagen) increased the satiety hormone, which helped the participants better adhere to their weight loss diets.

Why you should take The Collagen Company Collagen

Australian made

Sourced from pasture-raised, hormone free animals – no synthetic hormones

Very importantly – made from hydrolysed collagen peptides. This means that the collagen has been broken down into smaller protein chain making the collagen easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Non-hydrolysed collagen is very difficult for the body to absorb.

Contains 50mg of Hyaluronic acid per serve. Hyaluronic acid supplements are proven to improve skin moisture and texture and reduce wrinkles, and like collagen also helps improve joint function and reduce joint pain, and may even help maintain bone strength.

Value for money. You shouldn’t have to pay for fillers and extras that drive up the price of the product. But, with different collagen powders coming in different-sized packaging and varying serving sizes… It can be overwhelming to figure out which is the best value. The best way is to compare price per gram of collagen. The Collagen Co.’s collagen retails for $79 and contains 28 servings, each with 15 grams of collagen. This equates to just $0.19 per gram.

The Collagen Company collagen powders also contain 80mg of Vitamin C per serve. Vitamin C is essential for collagen biosynthesis, being a cofactor for the enzymes responsible for stabilizing and cross linking your collagen molecules.

Our tastings have shown that The Collagen Companies product is easy to take. The flavoured ones are great tasting. The unflavoured one is easy to add to any coffee, juice, cereal or shake. All have a great consistency with no grittiness, powdery taste or unpleasant texture. Not only that but they can be used in cooking and baking also.

Article by Dr Christopher Leat 

Dr Christopher Leat – Medical Director Envisage Skin Clinic Founder and Director. Dr Christopher Leat has 33 years’ experience in Medicine and is a member of The Royal College of Physicians of London. Dr Leat has devoted the last 18 years to Cosmetic Medicine and is recognized throughout Australia as one of the most experienced doctors in the field of Cosmetic Medicine.