Many of us begin noticing a decrease in our collagen production around the age of 30 when our skin begins to lose elasticity, we start developing fine lines, and signs of aging begin to appear. That's why collagen is quickly becoming one of the most popular supplements on the market.
One of the best ways to make sure you're getting enough collagen in your diet is through a high-quality, scientifically-formulated collagen peptide supplement. In fact, preliminary studies suggest this can promote your health and well-being — better than diet alone. A quality collagen powder can also support healthy weight management because it's low in calories and high in protein.
Did you know that collagen is the most abundant protein in your body? It's not only responsible for keeping your bones & joints healthy, but it also improves the appearance of your skin, and helps you build muscle mass, which in turn promotes metabolism and healthy weight management.
A quality collagen powder dissolves easily into your beverage of choice. Many people enjoy mixing collagen with their morning coffee, tea, or smoothie. The best brands make their collagen flavorless so there's little to no impact on the taste of the beverage.
Collagen is most famous for increasing dermal hydration which, in turn, will keep your skin smooth and wrinkle-free but there are many more less well known benefits to this product. Ocean collagen will simply lay down the foundations in your body to keep you looking and feeling great for longer. Ocean collagen helps strengthen teeth and gums whilst it repairs bone, joint and cartilage tissue, which is essential to be able to move about painlessly. But perhaps most importantly, it fortifies the intestinal lining which will assist digestion and improve your immune function.
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Made Without Soy, Raised Without Hormones, Raised Without Antibiotics, BPA Free. CERTIFIED KOSHER
3 Science-Backed Ways Collagen Supports Bone, Joint & Muscle Health
Our bones are made mostly of collagen, which gives them structure and helps keep them strong.
As collagen levels deteriorate with age, bone mass does too, leading to crippling mobility concerns including severely low bone density and higher risks of bone fractures.
Studies have shown that taking collagen supplements may have certain effects in the body that help inhibit the bone breakdown.
In one study that looked at bone health in 103 postmenopausal women, 66 women were given 5 grams of collagen daily for 12 months. The women who took the collagen had an increase of up to 7% in their bone mineral density (BMD), compared to women who did not consume collagen.*
According to this study, collagen supplementation was associated with a favorable shift in bone markers, indicating increased bone formation and reduced bone degradation.
SUMMARY;or stronger, healthier bones, research shows that at least 12 months of daily collagen supplementation (5 grams/day) is required.
Collagen helps maintain the integrity of your connective tissues such as our joints, muscles, and cartilage, which is the rubber-like tissue that protects your joints.
As the body’s collagen levels decrease with age, the risk of developing degenerative joint disorders increases. Some studies have shown that taking a collagen supplement may help improve symptoms of joint disorders and reduce joint pain overall.
In one study, 73 participants who consumed 10 grams of collagen daily for 24 weeks experienced a significant decrease in joint pain while walking and at rest compared to a group that did not take it.*
SUMMARY: For improved joint health and relief from joint-related pain, research shows that at least 24 weeks of daily collagen supplementation (10 grams/day) is required.
Between 1–10% of muscle tissue is composed of collagen. This means that collagen protein is vital for keeping our muscles strong and functioning properly as we age.
Studies suggest that collagen supplements help boost muscle mass in people with sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass that happens with age.* In one study, 27 participants took 15 grams of collagen for 12 weeks. Compared to participants who did not take collagen, they gained significantly more muscle mass and strength.* This research shows great promise for helping older individuals maintain their independence as they age.
Other Medically Proven Benefits Of Collagen
Enhance Skin Complexion & Reduce Wrinkles
Collagen plays a role in strengthening skin, plus may benefit elasticity and hydration. With age, the body produces less collagen, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles.
However, several studies have shown that collagen supplements may help slow the aging of your skin by reducing wrinkles and dryness.
One study found that women who consumed a collagen supplement daily for 12 weeks experienced increased skin hydration and a significant reduction in wrinkle depth compared to a control group.*
SUMMARY: While modest skin benefits can be seen in 8 weeks, for major improvements in skin health including reduction of deep wrinkles, research shows that at least 12 weeks of consistent daily collagen supplementation (5 grams/day) is required.
Collagen makes up 70% of your dermis, the middle layer of your skin that contains the root of each individual hair. Therefore, providing the body with collagen may help maintain a healthy dermis and prevent hair thinning.
In an eight-week study, 69 women aged 35–55 found that taking a daily collagen supplement significantly improved dermis elasticity and hydration compared to a placebo, translating to enhanced overall skin & hair health.* Collagen makes up 70% of your dermis, the middle layer of your skin that contains the root of each individual hair. Therefore, providing the body with collagen may help maintain a healthy dermis and prevent hair thinning.
In an eight-week study, 69 women aged 35–55 found that taking a daily collagen supplement significantly improved dermis elasticity and hydration compared to a placebo, translating to enhanced overall skin & hair health.*
SUMMARY: When it comes to improving hair health, research shows that at least 8 weeks of consistent daily collagen supplementation (5 grams/day) is required for results.
Collagen provides structure to your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Without enough collagen, arteries may become weak and fragile.
In one study, 31 healthy adults took 16 grams of collagen daily for six months. By the end, they had experienced a significant reduction in measures of artery stiffness compared to before they started taking the supplement.* SUMMARY: According to research, 6 months of daily collagen supplementation (16 grams/day) was shown to elicit positive results for promoting heart health.
“What the research clearly tells us is that collagen DOES work - But we must have the patience and fortitude to follow through with consistent daily use to reap its benefits.” Based on clinical evidence, experiencing the many benefits of collagen may require anywhere from 8 weeks to 12 months of daily use to be fully realized.
Taking a scoop here and a scoop there won’t cut it when it comes to seeing results with collagen; consistent, daily use is necessary.
While it’s very possible to experience positive results as early as the first few weeks of consistent supplementation. Generally, a daily collagen dose of 5-10 grams is recommended but for older individuals, their collagen levels are already at a deficit - putting them severely below normal healthy ranges.
This means doubling up the dose may be the best approach for older individuals to reap collagen’s maximum benefits; a protocol that’s better known as collagen loading.
Doubling the dose works to effectively rebuild lost collagen and allows the body to easily overcome the age-related deficit.
While some individuals may only need to “load” (10-20g daily) for a matter of months, many find the most success by using the loading dose long-term. This helps ensure that collagen levels stay elevated for good.
HEALTH INTERESTS
Hydrolyzed for absorption Collagen is made up of amino acids that your body has to absorb in order to benefit from it. Our collagen is hydrolyzed, meaning it has already been partially broken down, so the critical amino acids are typically easier to absorb.
Fish collagen peptides are known to have the best absorption and bioavailability due to their smaller particle sizes compared to other animal collagens, making them antioxidant powerhouses. Bioavailability is highly important since it largely determines the efficacy of any nutrient you ingest.
Fish collagen is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently into the body and has superior bioavailability over bovine or porcine collagens. Since it’s absorbed more efficiently and enters the bloodstream more quickly, it’s considered the best collagen source for medicinal purposes.
Fish collagen’s ability to be more easily absorbed by our bodies is thanks to its lower molecular weight and size, which allow the collagen to be absorbed at a higher level through the intestinal barrier into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body. This leads to collagen synthesis in the joint tissues, bones, skin dermis and many other essential body systems.
Since we don’t tend to eat the parts of the fish containing collagen (mainly skin and scales), making homemade fish stock or supplementing with collagen is the next best thing.
Fish collagen is a complex structural protein that helps maintain the strength and flexibility of:
It’s not only a type I collagen, which is the most abundant collagen in the human body. Type I is best known for providing the foundation for beautiful skin, strong connective tissues and sturdy bones.
Fish collagen peptides have very specific amino acid compositions with a high concentration of glycine, hydroxyproline and proline.
When fish collagen is ingested, hydroxyproline peptides are not completely digested to free amino acids and can be detected in the blood. These hydroxyproline peptides stimulate cells in the skin, joints and bones, and they lead to collagen synthesis through cell activation and growth. The scales, skin, bones and fins of fresh or saltwater fish are used for the creation of fish collagen supplements. Since these parts are considered waste products during fish processing, using them to create other products helps reduce environmental pollution.
How to Use: When collagen is hydrolyzed, the protein molecules are broken into smaller molecules. Hydrolyzed fish collagen supplements are more easily digested and absorbed by your body.
Fish collagen is different from marine collagen. Many marine collagen products are sourced from shellfish and jellyfish, which I don’t recommend. OCEAN COLLAGEN IS CERTIFIED KOSHER
Always store collagen products in a cool, dry place. You might be scared to buy and use fish collagen products because you think they’ll smell and/or taste like fish. Not to worry —our fish collagen product is tasteless and odorless and have a neutral, non-fishy taste.
Want to get your dose of fish collagen first thing in the morning? You can easily mix powdered collagen with smoothies, coffee, tea or a cup of hot water. You can even add it to soups or sauces.