In recent years, dietary supplements containing collagen have attracted many people seeking to improve joint comfort or enhance their skin's radiance. And if you're reading this, you're probably one of them!
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As a structural protein of body tissues, collagen contributes to the elasticity and suppleness of the epidermis, as well as the strength and flexibility of ligaments, cartilage, and tendons.
But when it comes to choosing a collagen supplement, a question arises: hydrolyzed marine collagen or native marine collagen? Not much is said about the difference between hydrolyzed collagen and its native (or denatured) version, yet it's not a trivial matter!
What are the specific characteristics of hydrolyzed marine collagen VS native collagen? What are the conclusions of recent scientific studies? What criteria should you check before making your choice?
☝️ We answer the question that many of our customers ask us (and we've delved deeply into the topic too!)
Collagen is the major protein in the human body (and throughout the animal kingdom).
Like a "binder", it provides mechanical resistance to stretching and helps maintain the flexibility and elasticity of body tissues, from cartilage to skin!
Collagen is primarily produced by fibroblast cells, as well as chondrocytes and osteoblasts, until around the age of 25. After that, the amount of collagen in the body gradually decreases (and permanently).
This decrease is correlated with the natural aging of the skin (and our first wrinkles), reduced joint resistance, and a longer recovery time after injury. Certainly, aging isn't very appealing!
In the food, pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement industries, it can be extracted from mammals (beef, pork, chicken) or fish and shellfish.
☝️ Note: We will only discuss marine-sourced collagen here, as we believe it is the best collagen, in line with our values: quality, high bioavailability, traceability, and sustainability.
We recommend
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen Powder
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen powder of types I & III.
Regarding collagen supplements, formulas specify whether they contain collagen types I, II, or III. This distinction helps identify which part of the body the collagen in the product comes from, specifically from fish.
???? Collagen type I: rich in hydroxyproline, it is derived from fish skin;
???? Collagen type II: it is found in fish bones, making it less relevant due to the more complex extraction process;
???? Collagen type III: it is extracted from the walls of blood vessels, intestines, and internal organs.
At Novoma, we have chosen hydrolyzed collagen peptides of types I and III from Naticol, our trusted partner located less than an hour's drive from our offices. Local all the way! ????????
Collagen supplements can be distinguished by whether they contain hydrolyzed or native collagen. We explain their differences, advantages, and disadvantages.
❌ Native collagen, also known as denatured collagen, is extracted directly from cartilage without undergoing hydrolysis. Its absorption by the intestines is lower, mainly due to its high molecular weight.
???? What does this mean?
Native collagen molecules are "heavier" and not water-soluble. As a result, the body may have more difficulty absorbing it (and benefiting from its properties). Larger and heavier molecules mean lower absorption during ingestion and potentially more inconsistent concentration in the bloodstream!
✅ Hydrolyzed marine collagen provides collagen peptides with a very low molecular weight ( Da), associated with high bioavailability and better digestive tolerance.
???? What does this mean?
In its hydrolyzed form, long collagen chains are broken down into smaller molecules called "peptides." Hydrolysis makes collagen more water-soluble, thus increasing its ease of absorption by the body and the product's bioavailability! Not to mention, the low molecular weight of hydrolyzed collagen allows the body to absorb it more effectively!
✅ Regarding absorption and bioavailability, researchers have observed that ingesting hydrolyzed collagen would result in a greater absorption dynamics by the intestine than previously observed with larger molecules.
A similar study published in the Nutrients journal in revealed that the ingestion of hydrolyzed collagen peptides in a group of 10 men would increase plasma concentrations of amino acids, as well as the absorption rate and bioavailability of collagen, glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
✅ Regarding absorption and bioavailability, researchers have observed that ingesting hydrolyzed collagen would result in a greater absorption dynamics by the intestine than previously observed with larger molecules.
For more hydrolyzed fish collagen manufacturersinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
A similar study published in the Nutrients journal in revealed that the ingestion of hydrolyzed collagen peptides in a group of 10 men would increase plasma concentrations of amino acids, as well as the absorption rate and bioavailability of collagen, glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
➡️ And for the ideal time to take it? Here's when and how to take collagen.
✅ A study published in the Journal of BioMedicine in reviewed the results of 19 randomized trials on the effects of hydrolyzed collagen on skin aging. The outcome? According to the researchers, ingesting hydrolyzed collagen over a 3-month period showed promising results in reducing wrinkles, and improving skin elasticity and hydration.
Other similar studies have observed a significant increase in the synthesis of macromolecules by chondrocytes.
???? Did you know? Macromolecules are an assembly of collagen, proteoglycans, elastin, and structural glycoproteins, present in the extracellular matrix.
✅ The results of the study suggest that oral ingestion of hydrolyzed collagen correctly absorbed by the intestine could help people seeking to reduce their joint discomfort.
❌ Due to its high molecular weight, native collagen is harder to absorb and generally less well-tolerated by the digestive system. Its insolubility makes native collagen less bioavailable.
❌ The properties claimed by supplements containing native collagen are made possible by the addition of other active ingredients known for their effect on joint comfort or skin beauty, such as biotin.
In other words, it is sometimes a way to increase the final product's price (no comment!).
The difference between hydrolyzed marine collagen and native collagen is not to be taken lightly! Hydrolyzed marine collagen is more complex to produce, and its price is indeed higher, but its effectiveness (and sustainability ????) is more significant.
Our choice of local suppliers and internalizing our logistics has allowed us to minimize the final cost of our hydrolyzed marine collagen, making our products accessible to as many people as possible! ????
Any questions? Need advice for a cure tailored to your needs? Don't hesitate to contact us!
A few years ago I fell down the collagen rabbit hole. It was summer of , long before you could walk into any Sephora or grocery store and find a fully stocked section of every type and form of hydrolyzed collagen imaginable.
In fact, when I first started experimenting with collagen, there was very little information published about it, outside of a couple of studies and marketing campaigns. I wanted to know more and I was hungry for before and after pics. That’s why, when I started taking hydrolyzed collagen every day, I decided to make a YouTube channel to document any changes I saw.
Now, collagen and articles about collagen are everywhere. It’s great because more options means that we can be more discerning about the type and quality of the products that we put in our bodies, but sometimes the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming.
I’ve collected all the questions that you’ve sent me over the years, and added a few in of my own to create the most comprehensive working list of frequently asked questions about collagen that I’ve seen yet. This list is built to help you sort through the noise. You can check out the video series or scroll through the list below.
If there is anything that I missed, please don’t hesitate to drop it in the comments below and I’ll do my best to keep this list updated.
Give yourself a month to see if you notice any changes. Most supplements give you about a month’s supply, so that is a good time for you to check in and see if you see a difference. If you are taking collagen for improvements to your skin/hair/nails, be sure to take pictures before and after. This will help you to spot subtle changes that are easy for us to to miss when we see ourselves in the mirror every day.
Collagen supplements are only effective while you are using them. There haven’t been any studies that have shown that you can increase effectiveness or overcome any plateau of benefits by cycling off and then back onto them. On a personal note, I notice that when I take it, my skin looks more plump and smooth and when I go off of it, that goes away. for more info, check out this video on what happened when I stopped taking collagen.
There are flavoured and unflavoured supplements. I have a strong sense of smell/taste and in my experience, the flavourless supplements still have a slight taste to them. Enough to notice if mixed with water but not if you mix it in with a smoothie.
Not necessarily. I’m always skeptical of absurdly cheap products, but just because a product is expensive doesn’t mean it is high quality. Do your research and don’t depend on cost or reviews, alone. Look at what the company prioritizes, the effort they make to create a quality product and willingness to be transparent, and go off of that.
Note: I think it’s important that I mention here that I don’t work directly with any collagen brands. When it comes to products I share, I research what I think is a high quality product and share my experience. I have high personal standards of what I eat, use on my body, purchase, all of it, so if I’m trying it, then it means that I think it’s a good quality product.
Hydrolyzed collagen is absorbed by our bodies. How exactly it is used, and how much you’ll be able to see benefits to your skin, joints, hair, etc., is up for debate. There have been promising studies, but the studies so far have been fairly small and are often associated with a collagen brand.
There isn’t any evidence that collagen helps with hyperpigmentation. There are other products out there that do help with that, and they are mostly topical. Such as, retinoids, products with vitamin C, or skin peels.
What is the difference between gelatin and collagen?
Gelatin and collagen are two different substances. However, there is a lot of conflicting information out there about this, especially because some “collagen studies” use gelatin. To make matters more confusing, different countries label the products differently. For example, what would be labeled “collagen peptides” in the USA, would be labeled “hydrolyzed gelatin” in Australia.Here’s what I can say: gelatin (US english label) is partially hydrolysed collagen. Meaning, it can’t directly be used and absorbed. In order to use gelatin it needs to be “bloomed” by soaking it in warm water until it becomes a jelly-like substance. Gelatin takes longer to digest which some say it helps to coat your GI tract, resulting in improved gut health. Gelatin and collagen have overlapping benefits but they aren’t necessarily interchangeable.It is possible to achieve results by using supplements and beauty products but don’t be fooled by products that make it seem like you can change your appearance drastically or overnight.
If you choose to experiment with collagen make sure to set realistic expectations and don’t underestimate the power of a healthy lifestyle and a little self-love.
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