Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. In fact, it makes up 25-35% of your body’s total protein content. [1] Collagen is an essential component of your connective tissues, which make up your muscles, skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and blood vessels. Thanks to its enormous tensile strength, collagen helps these tissues withstand stretching. [2] Collagen also provides structure to your bones, teeth, hair and nails. Simply put, collagen is the glue that holds your body together.
There are at least 16 different types of collagen in existence, but 80-90% of the collagen in your body is made up of Type I, II and III. Type I collagen comprises over 80% of your body’s total collagen content. Type I collagen fibrils – small, slender fibers – can be stretched without being broken due to their tensile strength. These fibrils are packed side-by-side in parallel bundles in your tendons, which connect your muscles to your bones. As such, they must be able to withstand enormous forces. In fact, gram for gram, Type I collagen is stronger than steel.
Type I collagen, the main collagen found in skin, also provides the support matrix underpinning healthy skin and is a key determinant of skin firmness and elasticity. Type II collagen, on the other hand, is the main collagen in cartilage – a tremendously strong and flexible fibrous tissue found throughout your body. Type II collagen can also be found in loose connective tissues, such as the tissues that keep your blood vessels in place and the tissues found around and between some organs and in your muscles. [3]
Meanwhile, Type III collagen provides tensile strength and structural integrity to your arteries, uterus and bowel. It is the second most abundant type of collagen in your body and makes up about 5-20% of your body’s total collagen content. Type III collagen is also found in adult cartilage, as well as in other tissues that also have Type I collagen. Additionally, Type III collagen supports healthy skin, hair and nails. It also plays a role in keeping many of your connective tissues and certain organs healthy. [4]
Why supplementing with collagen is important
The human body naturally makes collagen by breaking down protein from food into amino acids. Amino acids serve as the building blocks of protein in the body, including collagen. [5] You get these building blocks by eating protein-rich foods, such as poultry, lean meats, eggs, nuts, legumes and whole grains. But the body’s ability to make its own collagen naturally decreases with age. This is one of the main reasons why older adults have wrinkles, sagging skin and thinning hair.
Collagen production is also negatively affected by exposure to environmental threats, such as cigarette smoke, pesticides and ultraviolet (UV) radiation – all of which generate free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts of metabolic activities, meaning they are naturally generated by the human body. [6] At high levels, free radicals cause oxidative stress, which contributes to the loss of collagen. This causes wrinkles, skin sagging and skin discoloration. [7]
Because collagen is such an important component of various parts of your body, insufficient collagen levels, whether from poor diet or exposure to environmental threats, may also result in weak bones, poor digestion, brittle nails, stiff joints and slow wound healing. One of the best ways to avoid collagen deficiency is to make sure you’re eating protein-rich foods every day as part of a balanced diet. Many protein-rich foods also contain antioxidants – compounds that can neutralize free radicals and protect against oxidative stress.
Another way you can naturally boost your collagen levels is by taking high-quality collagen supplements. But instead of offering collagen in its whole form, most collagen supplements contain collagen peptides. Collagen peptides are a highly bioavailable form of collagen produced through a process called hydrolysis. This process breaks down collagen into smaller pieces (peptides) that your body can easily absorb and use. This form of collagen is also known as hydrolyzed collagen. [8]
Health benefits of collagen peptides*
Here are some of the health benefits of supplementing with collagen peptides:
Supports healthy, glowing skin
Collagen makes up three-quarters of the skin’s dry weight and is the most prevalent component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the dermis – the second and thickest layer of the three major layers of the skin. The dermis’s ECM plays a key role in skin homeostasis and repair. [9][10] According to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, collagen peptides can help you maintain healthy skin by supporting healthy skin barrier function. Collagen peptides can also support your body's natural ability to repair damaged or injured skin. [11]
A study published in the journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology also found that collagen peptides can support the optimal production of other proteins that help maintain the structural integrity of your skin, such as elastin and fibrillin. [12]
Supports healthy hair and nails
Hair is primarily made up of a protein called keratin. Your body uses several amino acids to build keratin, such as proline. Proline is one of the three non-essential amino acids that make up collagen. When you take collagen peptides, your body breaks them down into their amino acid components, which are then used by your body to build keratin and other proteins. As such, collagen peptides can provide your body with the building blocks it needs to maintain strong, healthy hair. [13]
Supplementing with highly bioavailable collagen peptides is also a great way to keep your nails strong and healthy. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reported that daily supplementation with collagen peptides supports healthy nail growth. [14]
Supports healthy bones and joints
Collagen plays a key role in natural bone formation and the maintenance of optimal bone density, according to a study published in the journal Nutrients. Bone density reflects the strength of bones as represented by calcium content. [15]
Supplementing with collagen peptides can support healthy cartilage, according to a review published in the World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. [16] Cartilage keeps joint motion fluid by coating the surfaces of the bones in joints and cushioning them against impact. [17]
Supports healthy muscles
Collagen peptides contain glycine and arginine, two amino acids that support healthy muscle growth. Our bodies use glycine and arginine to make creatine, a compound that supports the muscles’ natural ability to produce energy during high-intensity exercises. Roughly 95% of the creatine in your body is stored in your skeletal muscle and used during physical activity. [18]
Supports healthy heart function
Collagen provides structure to the arteries – blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. If you lack collagen, your arteries may become weak and fragile. Taking collagen peptide supplements can support healthy heart function. Collagen peptides also contain proline, an amino acid that your body needs to maintain healthy blood vessels.
According to a study published in the Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, collagen peptides can also support healthy blood cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is a great way to keep your heart healthy. [19]
Supports a healthy digestive system
Collagen is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your intestinal wall – an important barrier that blocks food particles and contaminants from entering your bloodstream. This barrier is also important for proper digestion. Your intestinal wall is made of small, slender vascular projections called villi, which are made up of collagen. The villi of your small intestine project into the intestinal cavity, greatly increasing the surface area for food absorption. [20] Therefore, taking collagen peptide supplements can help support a healthy digestive system.
Additionally, the amino acids that compose collagen peptides can keep your gut healthy in many ways. For instance, glycine supports healthy digestion by stimulating the secretion of gastric acid, which makes it easier to break down foods. [21] Meanwhile, proline and glutamine help maintain the structural integrity of your intestinal wall. Glutamine has also been shown to have a positive impact on the balance of good and bad gut bacteria. Good gut bacteria help ensure that your digestive system is functioning properly. [22]
Where to get clean, lab-verified collagen peptide supplements
Your body naturally produces collagen, but its ability to do so declines as you age. One way that you can boost your collagen levels is by taking collagen supplements. Today, you can easily find collagen supplements like collagen peptides in health food stores. But most collagen supplements on the market contain artificial sweeteners, fillers, rBGH hormones and other additives. Also, few collagen supplements are lab tested for contaminants like glyphosate and heavy metals.
This is why the Health Ranger Store is bringing you Groovy Bee Collagen Peptides. Our premium collagen peptide powders come from grass-fed cows and contain hydrolyzed Type I and Type III collagen for easier digestion and absorption. These powders easily dissolve in hot and cold drinks. Groovy Bee Collagen Peptides contain no gluten, GMOs or artificial preservatives and are meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Groovy Bee Collagen Peptides contain eight essential amino acids, which your body can’t produce and must be obtained from foods or supplements. These amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine and valine. Our premium collagen peptide powders also provide ample amounts of non-essential amino acids that support many key bodily functions, including healthy immune function and healthy protein synthesis.
Groovy Bee Collagen Peptides is a convenient and highly digestible supplement specially formulated to help you maintain optimal collagen and energy levels that are already within the normal range. It also supports healthy digestion. Our premium collagen peptide powder contains no gluten, GMOs or artificial preservatives and is lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
How to take collagen peptides
Collagen peptide powder is a versatile ingredient that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine. Try adding Groovy Bee Collagen Peptides to the following:
- Water – Add a scoop of collagen peptide powder to a cup of cold water.
- Herbal teas – Stir a scoop of collagen peptide powder into your tea. Hot liquids can easily dissolve collagen peptide powder so you don’t have to worry about clumping.
- Nut milk – Add a scoop of collagen peptide powder to a cup of your chosen nut milk. Use a shaker bottle or an immersion blender to avoid clumping.
- Hot cocoa – Mix a scoop each of collagen peptide powder and cocoa powder with hot water.
- Protein shake – Make your pre- or post-workout protein shake more nutritious by stirring in a scoop of collagen peptide powder.
- Oatmeal – Add some collagen peptide powder to your oatmeal for a nutritious breakfast.
- Orange juice – Add a scoop or two of collagen peptide powder to orange juice to boost your nutrient intake.
- Soups – Instead of flour, use collagen peptide powder to thicken your favorite soups.
- Eggs – Add a scoop of collagen peptide powder to your scrambled eggs for a quick nutritional boost.
- Yogurt – Stir a spoonful of collagen peptide powder into your yogurt for a healthy afternoon snack.
- Pancakes – Make your pancakes extra nutritious by adding a scoop of collagen peptide powder to your batter. You can also add the powder to bread, muffins and brownie batters.
Experience the amazing health benefits of clean, lab-verified collagen peptides when you incorporate Groovy Bee Collagen Peptides into your daily routine.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[1] https://www.organicfacts.net
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[5] https://www.livescience.com
[6] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[10] https://www.frontiersin.org
[11] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[13] https://www.healthline.com
[14] https://www.nutraingredients-latam.com
[15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[17] https://www.summitortho.com
[18] https://my.clevelandclinic.org
[19] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[20] https://www.britannica.com
