What are Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplements, and How Do They Work?

Hydrolyzed collagen supplements are dietary supplements that provide your body with a natural source of protein, which helps to build and maintain muscles. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the human body and is necessary for many bodily functions. Unfortunately, our body’s collagen production gradually decreases throughout our lifetime, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and wrinkles.

People often take hydrolyzed supplements to address signs of aging, improve joint health, and promote muscle growth. But can these supplements offer such benefits? In this blog post, we will closely examine collagen supplements and how they work.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is used throughout the human body and helps maintain skin health, bone strength, joint mobility, and digestion. Collagen, an essential protein in your body, comprises  up to 30% of its total proteins. Therefore, you can find collagen in the bones, skin, organs, and blood vessels.

Proteins and, therefore, collagen structure, are synthesized from a combination of amino acids – building blocks forming structures like hormones or enzymes. So, collagen is a necessary building block of our lives, but are they all the same?

How Many Types of Collagen are There?

Through dedicated research, scientists have discovered 29 different types of collagen found in humans. Three are more prominent than others and are known as types 1, 2, and 3.

Type 1

While there are three main types in humans, the most abundant type is Type I collagen, which makes up 80-90% of collagen fibers in our body. This collagen is densely packed together, which makes it perfect for maintaining bone health, skin, tendons, and ligaments.

Type 2

Type II collagen is the second most abundant protein found in elastic cartilage. It helps to maintain joint health by providing lubrication, shock absorption, and flexibility.

Type 3

Type III collagen is in loose or reticular fibers in organs, blood vessels, and muscles. This type of collagen provides structure in our connective tissue.

The other two main collagen types in our bodies are Types 4 and 5. Type four is in the layers of our skin, and Type five is in our eyes, skin, hair, and the human placenta. So, even though collagen is an essential biological component, why would we want to take supplements?

Shouldn't we use products like hyaluronic acid for healthy skin? The famous topical product is  found naturally in our eyes, provides cushion for our joints, and is naturally in our connective tissues. In addition, many beauty products use it for aging skin.

Supplements support collagen production, which would help with collagen loss and boost collagen production.

What happens to Collagen Production as We Age?

For those over 20, you may have noticed some of the changes that come with age, like your skin aging. We can thank our decreasing collagen production for those changes — fine lines, wrinkles, weaker bones, loss of muscle mass, and joint pain. Our existing collagen breaks down, and all these signs are attributed to the natural aging process, as our body produces less collagen.

You might figure that since you're aging, there's not much you can do about it. However, collagen supplements can effectively boost healthy collagen levels and help improve collagen damage.

What are the Benefits of Collagen Supplements?

While research into the benefits of supplementation is ongoing,  studies support that supplements can improve the effects of aging, like skin elasticity, bone mineral density, and more. In addition, most collagen supplements are effective because they contain each primary collagen type.

Improves skin elasticity

Recent  research reveals collagen powder can help rejuvenate skin by increasing elasticity and skin hydration. While it won't stop aging, its antioxidant properties would help combat age-related effects on your complexion.

Helps with joint pain relief

After a clinical trial, research revealed that collagen peptides could lessen pain and inflammation attributed to deteriorating cartilage and joint damage. In the double-blind, randomized  study, 43% experienced decreased pain, while 39% reported improved mobility.

Collagen has proven to have a significant impact on overall joint health. The peptides, which come from animals, are absorbed to assist with synthesizing tendons and ligaments. While collagen supplements are great, we can't simply take collagen alone.

Increases muscle mass

Collagen is remarkable and makes up 10% of our muscle mass. Some  studies demonstrate that supplements can increase muscle growth with a regular exercise routine. For instance, one study found more pronounced gains in body weight among young men consuming 15 grams of collagen peptides within 60 minutes post-workout for 12 weeks compared to those without.

A similar finding published in the British Journal of Nutrition describes older men who took the same amount of peptides for 12 weeks. In summary, the men who ingested oral collagen supplements experienced increased muscle strength and mass and decreased fat.

What are Collagen Peptides?

Collagen doesn't come in its complex form in your OTC supplements. Instead, it's broken down into Collagen Peptides. Peptides are best for those looking to consume collagen naturally. Peptides are proteins hydrolyzed or broken down into shorter chains of amino acids.

Overall, collagen supplements may typically come as:

• Collagen hydrolysate
• Gelatin
• Undenatured Type 2

Why should we break them down at all? It seems like extra work when our body should be able to use the collage, right? Wrong.

Why do we need simpler sources of Collagen?

We break down the collagen into peptides for supplement use because they are easier to digest and absorb. Choosing the right collagen supplement can be tricky, but it's mainly about your needs. You'll find collagen supplements in several forms, like capsules, powder, and gelatin.

What is Hydrolyzed Collagen?

Hydrolyzed supplements are made by breaking down larger collagen molecules into smaller pieces, making them more accessible to the body. Hydrolyzed supplements usually come in capsules and powder.

Some brands may pair their collagen with Vitamin C, increasing the supplement's bioavailability. Vitamin C makes it easier for the body to utilize more peptides to synthesize collagen.

Why is Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplementation a Good Idea?

Taking supplements is a great way to get a daily dose of protein and other essential micronutrients. We know peptides help with many ailments from age, but it's more effective if you understand why you need collagen before choosing a specific supplement.

• Use products from grass-fed, pasture-raised (bovine collagen), or wild-caught (marine collagen) sources.

By supplementing with it, your body can absorb it into the intestine and perform collagen synthesis, sending it to promote wound healing or address bone loss.

Enjoy the Health Benefits of Collagen From Reflect the Brand

People eat collagen-rich foods like bone broth, but peptides are an easier way to supplement your diet with the essential building blocks our body needs. At Reflect the Brand, we have specific collagen peptides from the highest quality sources. Our collagen products include grass-fed hydrolyzed collagen, peptide powder in chocolate, grass-fed collagen vanilla creamer, and adult collagen gummies.

No matter your goals, we have the perfect collagen product that fits your lifestyle. Contact us for more information about our products and how they can help improve your overall health. Then, take advantage of collagen's various health benefits today with Reflect the Brand!