Supporting your joints for lifelong health

Do I need to take collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It’s made naturally in the body. It’s also the protein that gets produced less as we age.In fact by the time we reach the age of 25, the amount of collagen our body produces starts to decline. Yikes!As a result, many are turning to supplementation. Do you need it? What is it good for? What Is Collagen? Collagen is naturally found in the body and is a protein with many functions. It’s the main component in your connective tissues, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and skin.Collagen can be thought of as the “glue” that helps hold the body together. It's responsible for keeping your skin firm and elastic, your joints strong and stable, and your digestive system healthy and working.It’s a hard-working protein that your body has a limited supply of.If you are thinking about taking collagen as a supplement, there are several benefits. 6 benefits to taking collagen 1. Supports Healthy Gut You may have heard that a healthy gut is the key to overall health. It’s true. Building a stronger intestinal lining, preventing its breakdown or weakening, and protecting it from unwanted bacteria is the goal. When the digestive tract is weakened, it can lead to pain and discomfort but also “leaky gut.” Leaky gut (where bacteria flow into the bloodstream from the gut) can cause fatigue, allergies, poor immunity, and more.Collagen can help. Loaded with the amino acid glutamine, it's been proven to be effective in preventing leaky gut and the subsequent chronic inflammation that can wreak havoc on the body.[1] 2. Improves Skin Quality Since collagen is the structure that helps with skin elasticity, it makes sense that as the body loses it, skin quality goes down. However, diet can help influence skin health. Diets high in sugar and processed carbohydrates cause our bodies to produce advanced glycated end products (AGEs), which reduce the density of collagen fibrils, leading to wrinkles and aging skin quality. Chronic sun exposure also further damages collagen fibers.To counteract that, consuming collagen peptides may help. Supplemental collagen has been shown to reduce the harmful UV-B induced skin damage to support superior skin quality.[2] Taking collagen supplements orally has been shown to increase skin elasticity, hydration and density of the skin.[3][4] Collagen supplementation is generally safe with no reported adverse events. [3] 3. Fights Joint Pain The building blocks of healthy joints come from your diet. These include key amino acids like proline, lysine, and glutamine, which support the natural production of collagen in the body. Recent studies show improvement in pain and physical function after supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen peptides.[5] Consuming enough quality protein and digestible collagen can really support the joints long-term. Chronic pain and arthritis are two of the most common reasons for patient visits to the doctor. The solutions often prescribed from those visits are ointments and drugs that help ease the pain, but do not address the root of the problem. The building blocks of healthy joints come from your diet. These include key amino acids like proline, lysine, and glutamine, which support the natural production of collagen in the body. Recent studies show improvement in pain and physical function after supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen (see Figure 1.0)[3]. Ensuring you eat enough quality protein or easily digestible supplemental collagen is fundamental to healthy joints in the long run. 4. Supports Weight Loss Collagen supports weight loss in a unique way. It’s not thermogenic or stimulant, like most weight loss supplements, but rather it impacts your satiety levels by naturally inhibiting the main hormone in the gut that triggers hunger [6]. What that means is that consuming collagen peptides can keep you from craving mid-afternoon sugar-laden snacks and unnecessary snacking. Adding collagen to your mid-morning coffee or mid-afternoon tea can be a great strategy to curb cravings and make it through to your next meal. 5. Improves Athletic Recovery If you’re active, training intensely, or always on-the-go, then your joints are likely suffering from some wear and tear. You will want to do some form of muscle recovery after high performance. It’s been found that taking collagen 1-hour before exercise or rehab activity increases the uptake of collagen into your joints, which accelerates recovery. [7] Unlike muscles, which can soak up nutrients for hours after activity, your joints suck up the surrounding water and nutrients within the hour after exercise, making the timing of your collagen intake crucial for supporting joints. Tip: Add a little vitamin C from lemon juice or a fruit snack to further increase absorption. 6. Supports Deep Sleep It seems more than ever; people are craving a restful sleep. Interestingly, studies have shown how collagen can help support the deep sleep your body longs for. Collagen contains the amino acid glycine. Glycine helps your body decompress and unwind, and is needed for quality sleep. Quality sleep helps to keep energy levels up, give your body strength to fight off viruses and infections, and thrive in your daily life. [8] I need to take collagen, how do I add it to my diet? The easiest and simplest way to consume collagen is through supplementation. In fact, that’s how many of the studies on collagen were done. For digestibility, hydrolyzed collagen peptides are a great solution.A high-quality collagen supplement, such as Organika’s Enhanced Collagen is ideal. Voted Canada’s #1 collagen powder, it’s made with bovine collagen and is beneficial for bones, joints, gut, hair, skin and nails.Check out the full Enhanced Collagen line up! There are many variations of collagen supplements, however, depending on what you prefer or your lifestyle, one may work better than another. You can get collagen in powder, capsule, and liquid form.You may enjoy adding collagen in powder form to your beverages or smoothies. You can even mix it into your yogurt or add it to baked goods.Maybe you prefer taking your collagen in liquid form, easily adding it to water or juice.Want to try collagen but you're vegetarian? We have a Vegetarian Collagen in easy to take capsules. The options are endless and the benefits are so worth diving into! Incorporate more collagen into your diet and feel the difference for yourself. References 1. Rao, R. Samak, G. Role of Glutamine in Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junctions/ J Eptihel Biol Pharmacol. 2012 Jan: 5(Suppl 1-M7):47-54. 2. Tanaka, M et al. Effects of Collagen Peptide Ingestion on UV-B-Induced Skin Damage. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem, 73 (4), 930–932, 2009. 3. Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16. 4. de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021 Dec;60(12):1449-1461. 5. Bello A, Oesser S. Collagen hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders: a review of the literature. CMRO. Vol 22, 2006 – Iss 11. 6. Halden G, et al. Evidence for a Role of the Gut Hormone PYY in the Regulation of Intestinal Fatty Acid-binding Protein Transcripts in Differentiated Subpopulations of Intestinal Epithelial Cell Hybrids. J Biol Chemistry. Vol. 272, 1997. No. 19, Issue of May 9, pp. 12591–12600. 7. Hagarty, P et al. The effect of growth factors on both collagen synthesis and tensile strength of engineered human ligaments. Biomaterials 2012. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.05.045. 8. Yamadera, W et al. Glycine ingestion improves subjective sleep quality in human volunteers, correlating with polysomnographic changes. Sleep & Biological Rhythms. Vol 5, Iss 2, April 2007, pg 126–131. Check out Organika®'s collection of collagen products   

By now, you’ve probably heard all about the benefits of collagen and why collagen supplements have become so popular for supporting skin, joints, hair, gut health, and overall wellness. Great! But one question comes up again and again: is collagen powder better than liquid collagen?Which form is absorbed best, and which one delivers the most benefits? Let’s break it down. A Look at the Most Popular Forms of Collagen Supplements Collagen Powder Collagen powder is the most common and widely used form of collagen supplements. In fact, collagen exists in powder form before being dissolved into liquids.  Most collagen powders are made from hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which means the large collagen proteins are broken down into smaller peptides for easier digestion and absorption.  TIP: Always look for hydrolyzed collagen peptides powder when choosing a collagen supplement. If you’re not sure where to start, an unflavoured option that blends easily (like Enhanced Collagen Original) can be a simple, no-fuss pick for everyday use.  The majority of scientific studies on collagen benefits have used collagen powder, which is why it is considered the most researched and well-supported format.  How to use: Mix into water, coffee, smoothies, soups, baked goods, or foods of choice.  Best for: Anyone who enjoys customizing how they take their collagen.  Liquid Collagen Liquid collagen supplements are essentially collagen powder that has already been dissolved into a drink, often with added natural flavours or functional ingredients.  Because of this, liquid collagen typically contains less collagen per serving compared to collagen powder. To reach the same collagen dosage, you may need to consume a larger volume of liquid—though for many people, the tradeoff is that it’s quick, easy, and requires zero prep. If you like the ready-to-take format but still want something that feels purposeful, a liquid option like Liquid Enhanced Collagen or Liquid Marine Collagen can be a convenient way to keep collagen support consistent, especially on busy days.  Traditionally, most liquid options were made from marine collagen, but there are now both marine and bovine-based liquid collagen supplements available.  How to use: Drink as directed, either as a full serving or by tablespoon depending on the product.  Best for: Those who prefer convenience and ready-to-drink collagen. Collagen Capsules Collagen capsules simply contain powdered collagen, meaning they offer the same benefits as collagen powder—just in a convenient pill format. If you like the simplicity of a grab-and-go routine, something like BioCell Collagen Capsules can be an easy option to keep on hand for consistent daily support.  How to use: Take as directed with water.  Best for: People who prefer capsules over mixing powders into drinks or food. Your Collagen Questions Answered Which form is better absorbed, powder or liquid? All high-quality collagen supplements should be hydrolyzed, meaning the proteins are broken down for easy digestion and absorption. Since liquid collagen is just powdered collagen dissolved in liquid, both powder and liquid collagen are equally absorbable. The improved absorption comes from the hydrolyzation process, not from whether the collagen is taken in powder or liquid form. Are there added ingredients in one form versus another? Liquid collagen often includes added ingredients such as natural flavours or complementary nutrients. There are also collagen blends in powder form that combine collagen with other supplements for convenience. These blended formulas simply provide additional functional support alongside collagen. Which collagen format is most effective? Research shows that collagen supplements are effective, and most studies use collagen powder. Some liquid-only collagen brands claim higher bioavailability, but there is currently no scientific evidence showing that liquid collagen is absorbed better than powder. Again, it is the hydrolyzed collagen peptides that improve absorption, regardless of format. How much collagen do I get from powder versus liquid? Collagen powder typically contains significantly more collagen per serving than liquid collagen. For example: • 1 tablespoon of collagen powder may provide around 5 grams of collagen• 1 tablespoon of liquid collagen may provide around 1.5 grams of collagen This means you would need to consume much more liquid collagen to match the collagen intake of powder. With collagen powder, most people use 1 to 2 scoops per day. With liquid collagen, you may need multiple servings throughout the day to reach similar collagen levels. What Do the Experts Say? Many naturopaths and nutrition professionals agree that while liquid supplements in general may be absorbed slightly faster, collagen is not a quick-fix supplement like cold medicine. Because collagen works over time and is more potent in powder form, collagen powder is often preferred for long-term use. Nutritionists also point out that since both powder and liquid collagen come from the same hydrolyzed collagen source, both are bioavailable and absorbed well in the gut. Ultimately, both formats work in the same way. What Really Matters The best form of collagen is the one that fits your lifestyle. Collagen powder offers higher collagen content per serving and versatility, while liquid collagen provides convenience. More important than the format is: • The quality of the collagen• Whether it is hydrolyzed• The source of the collagen (marine or bovine) Choosing a high-quality collagen supplement will have a far greater impact than choosing between powder, liquid, or capsules. Learn more about collagen types here. REFERENCES: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33742704/ de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021 Dec;60(12):1449-1461. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31411379/ Jhawar N, Wang JV, Saedi N. Oral collagen supplementation for skin aging: A fad or the future? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Apr;19(4):910-912.

Marine Collagen: Beauty from the Sea   You may be seeing marine collagen or hearing about it, but unsure what the difference between that and bovine collagen is, and/or which one you should be consuming. As expected, Marine collagen comes from fish and is rich in Type 1 collagen. The collagen from this source is pescatarian-friendly for those that do not consume bovine (which also has Type 1 collagen). However, there seems to be an ongoing debate over what is the best source of collagen and why some may opt for a marine source. We are diving into all things marine collagen and answering all your questions about it. Where does marine collagen come from? As the name implies, marine collagen comes from the sea – derived from fish scales, bones, and skin. Organika's Marine Collagen powder is sourced from Canada! It comes from the scales of wild-caught cod, pollock and haddock from the North Atlantic. What is marine collagen used for? What are the known benefits? Collagen, in general, is used to help with skin health (specifically with aging skin, wrinkles), stronger hair and nails, as well as promoting joint health. Rich in Type 1 collagen, marine collagen is linked with beauty benefits and tissue repair. Some of the most popular benefits of marine collagen include: Rejuvenated skin Improved skin texture and hydration Fuller and smoother hair Stronger nails Faster-growing hair and nails Reduced cellulite Why do some people prefer marine collagen? Some may consider marine collagen a more sustainable alternative. The fishing industry often has a lot of unused raw materials from the fish they catch, including the fish skins where marine collagen comes from. In that case, marine collagen can be a more comfortable choice as it may seem to offer a more economical and environmentally friendly option for various companies. Consumers may like to see that instead of wasting fish skins, companies can use the excess materials to create other products. Is marine collagen better than bovine collagen? This is the million-dollar question consumers are asking. The truth: although they come from different sources, fundamentally, the type of collagen from both sources is the same. Collagen is a large molecule, so for it to be efficiently absorbed and utilized by the body, it must first be broken down into smaller pieces, which you may have heard of as collagen peptides. Furthermore it must go through a process known as hydrolyzation: natural enzymes break down collagen into the smaller collagen peptides, without the use of heat or chemicals. High bioavailability in a collagen supplement is assured by the size of its peptide molecules, known as the molecular weight. The smaller the molecular weight, the easier it is for collagen peptides to reach the blood stream and be effectively used in the body. Both Organika’s marine and bovine collagen go through these processes for high bioavailability and ease of digestion. The nitty gritty: marine collagen naturally boasts a lower average molecular weight than any other collagen source - Organika's weighs in at an impressively low 2-2.5 kDa, compared to an average 40-45 kDa in most bovine collagens. However, bovine collagen can have a molecular weight comparable to that of marine collagen - all it takes is more rounds of hydrolization. This is how we achieve a molecular size of under 3 kDa for our bovine-sourced Enhanced Collagen Original! So essentially, what it comes down to is personal preference and dietary restrictions. It can also be beneficial to combine a variety of collagen supplements (bovine, bone broth, marine and even poultry-sourced collagen) for optimal health. Want options for Marine collagen? There is something for everyone – whether you prefer powder, capsules, liquid, or a water enhancer – there is a collagen option for you. Marine Collagen PowderHigh in type 1 collagen, which is essential for maintaining skin, hair and nail health. Hydrolyzed for easy digestion, our marine collagen powder is also tasteless, easily mixing into beverages or foods. Salmon Collagen Capsules Convenient capsules more your thing? Try our Salmon Collagen Capsules. Because they're higher in omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to beauty health you get support with joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. Note: some people prefer salmon capsules for marine collagen because of the omega-3s that have added skin and arthritis benefits. Liquid Marine Collagen If you prefer liquid or flavoured (with orange), you must try this beauty elixir. Made with marine collagen, 200 mg Vitamin C, and 500 mcg biotin, you are getting the ultimate beauty benefits. Effervess A convenient source of marine collagen and vitamin C in a fizzy tablet that will give your water (and your skin) a makeover. Enjoy a variety of flavours: Kiwi, Cranberry, Rose, Lavender and Honey Peach The contents of this article have been fact-checked and reviewed by Registered Holistic Nutritionists.