Types of Collagen: What’s the difference and which collagen do you need?

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   

For 20-something females like myself, there are so many health and wellness products out there these days that claim the ability to improve our beauty health in various ways from adding shine to our hair, creating strong healthy nails, and clearing up skin imperfections for a healthy glow. The problem with there being so many options is that it can be difficult to find the right products without ending up with a cupboard full of items and a personal care schedule longer than any busy millennial has time for... Luckily there’s one supplement that we can add into our daily lives in some simple ways to help with the health of our skin, nails, and hair while also providing so many other benefits like improved gut health and joint support. This super supplement is collagen! Collagen is my all-time favorite health product and is something I incorporate into my life every day. What I love about this supplement, aside from all the amazing benefits, is how versatile and simple it is to add to your health routine. Here are 4 ways I add collagen into my everyday life. Collagen Coffee Coffee already has some awesome health benefits including antioxidant properties and improving mental clarity and athletic performance, but it can also be irritating on the gut due to its acidity. Luckily, by adding collagen in, we can support our gut health as the amino acids present can help with repairing the gut lining. Cooking with Collagen Powder One of my favorite healthy kitchen hacks is adding collagen to recipes as it is tasteless and colorless, so do not affect the look or flavor of your food, while still providing some amazing health benefits. I normally add 1-2 tablespoons of collagen powder to things like sauces, soups, and oats as well as to the batter of any baking recipes.  Bone Broth Bone broth is a nutritious broth that is packed with collagen protein, amino acids, and some essential vitamins and minerals.   Although I love to make homemade bone broth, I also love using the Organika Chicken Bone Broth for a more convenient option. It’s delicious to simply make in a mug and sip on but is also perfect for using in any recipe that calls for broth. Supporting Your Body’s Natural Collagen Production  Incorporating some amino acid-rich whole foods into your diet can help support your body's natural collagen production. Some options I like are wild-caught fish and shellfish, beans, free-range chicken and eggs, and grass-fed beef. I also ensure to consume a variety of fresh produce containing vitamin C such as citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, and tomatoes which is also needed for collagen production. Thanks to collagen’s versatility, there are endless ways you can use it and no matter how you choose to add some collagen into your daily life, your body will thank you for all the amazing benefits!

Today, interest in dietary collagen is growing at a rapid rate, and for good reason. I started taking collagen three years ago, and some pretty remarkable things have happened. The benefits of a collagen-rich diet are incredible, ranging from better weight control, improved digestion, clearer skin, reduced inflammation, and improved immune function.1   In my practice, collagen has become a game changer for injury recovery. I recommend it daily to patients dealing with ligament, tendon, cartilage, or joint problems.2 It works that well.  Collagen based products provide a unique blend of amino acids that are critical for everyone, regardless of age. If you don’t get enough collagen in your diet you can experience an increase in injuries, digestive issues, and other symptoms associated with aging (decreased bone mineral density, wrinkles, and arthritis).3  Is collagen good for men?  Absolutely - Collagen is a protein your body produces naturally and is a major component of skin, bone, and connective tissue.2 Let’s examine why this is not only a safe, but critical supplement to consider.   5 Surprising Benefits of Collagen for men  1. Bulletproof bones and joints   The cartilage and space between your joints acts like a cushion to absorb shock and force. But aging, arthritis, sports injuries, and collagen deficiency can compromise this cushioning effect.2 The breakdown of this system can lead to pain and debility.   The good news is that collagen has a protective effect on cartilage and provides pain relief.3 It is highly effective for those that live an active life and push their bodies to the limit. For the last three years collagen has been a staple in my post workout shake. As a result, I feel better now at age 35 than I did at 27.  2. Helps you grow strong and thick hair   Your hair, skin, and nails are made up primarily of the protein keratin.4 Increasing your collagen intake provides your body with the raw materials needed to build keratin leading to stronger hair and nails. Other nutrients to consider for hair loss are Vitamin A, Vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and thyroid hormone levels.5 Along with collagen, these micronutrients are key to growing thick, strong hair.   3. Boosts muscle recovery   If you love working out, building muscle, and want to improve your recovery time between sessions - collagen can help.6 Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage are all stressed during workouts. Since collagen makes up 30% of the proteins in our body, we can directly supports our recovery and repair process by making sure we get lots of it in our diet and through supplementation.7 4. Promotes gut health   Collagen is essential to heal and seal your gut.8 The lining of our intestines acts like a screen door that filters out large particles and absorbs small molecules like simple sugars, amino acids, and fats. If the intestinal lining is compromised or leaky, you open yourself up to a wide array of health concerns and digestive distress. When undigested food and toxins creep in, it leads to inflammation, immune system dysregulation, sleep problems, and chronic digestive complaints. Collagen provides your intestinal cells with the amino acids glycine and proline which are essential in rebuilding the lining of your digestive tract.8 Glycine also helps reduce inflammation which is common in those that suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.   5. Improves heart health   Collagen provides structural support to the cardiovascular and circulatory system. Without sufficient collagen, the vessels that carry blood around your body become weak and fragile.9 Collagen supplementation has been shown to lead to a significant reduction in arterial stiffness.10   Collagen powder and peptides for men  When choosing the right collagen product there are a few things to keep in mind. Look for free range and antibiotic free animals as the collagen source. Check for third party certifications that indicate proper quality and purity. Avoid products that blend in other ingredients with collagen such as probiotics or fiber because we don’t have enough data to see how they interact. On the label, look for either collagen hydrolysate, hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen peptides - this indicates the collagen has been broken down into small enough particles that are easily absorbed.  Collagen supplements for men   Restore and rebuild collagen with Organika’s Enhanced Collagen flavourless hydrolyzed collagen powder. Peptides are short chain amino acids naturally derived from collagen protein. These natural peptides are highly bio-available, digestible and soluble. Sourced from grass-fed cows, Enhanced Collagen is rBGH & BSE-free (no antibiotics or hormones), with no artificial sweeteners or GMO ingredients. Amino acids glycine, lysine & proline revitalize, firm and smooth skin. Shop Enhanced Collagen   References  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7271718/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18416885/ http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbgg/v19n1/1809-9823-rbgg-19-01-00153.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30547302/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177172/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003457/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28174772/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429168/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21582/ Axe, J. The Collagen Diet. 2019.