Love it or not, the facts are the facts. We are all going to get older, but we don’t have to look it. Let’s make looking mature, healthy, glowing, and fabulous the new “old”.
How can we do that? One word - collagen.
What Is Collagen?
As one of the more abundant proteins in the body, collagen is a structural protein that accounts for 25-35% of the whole-body protein content and plays an important role in the health of hair, skin, nails, gut, tendons, joints, and more.
The ongoing health of your skin depends on stimulating the formation of new collagen and elastin to improve structure.
We naturally produce collagen through breaking down dietary protein but collagen decreases as we age, starting as early as in our 20s.
This is why the skin will lose firmness and elasticity as we age. This can also lead to dryness and sagging of the skin.
Collagen depletion can be accelerated over time when exposed to environmental stressors UV rays, pollution, and smoking.
Collagen formation is supported through amino acids found in a variety of protein-rich foods such as beef and chicken. It is also supported by nutrients such as vitamin C and zinc. However, a collagen supplement is a way to go to know exactly what you’re getting. And choosing a hydrolyzed collagen is the most efficient way to optimize absorption, more on that later.
Which Proteins Are More Dominant in the Skin?
The skin consists of proteins including collagen (hydroxyproline) and elastin, which give elasticity to the skin.
The difference between collagen and elastin is that elastin makes skin supple while collagen will help strengthen and moisturize the skin.
Why Take Collagen?
Taking a collagen supplement is a proactive step to counter the effects of naturally declining collagen.
Collagen Types
There are over 15 different types of collagen that all serve a slightly different purpose in your body.
Here are the top collagen types you need to know:
Type I is the most plentiful collagen in our skin. As your skin is your largest organ, type 1 is one of the most abundant in your body and key for skin health. It is also found in bones and your gut lining.
Type II is found in your cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
Type III is similar to type 1 in that it’s found in skin, bones, and the lining of your gut.
Which is the Best Collagen Source?
Like the ever-expanding chip aisle at your local grocery store (Honey Dijon chips anyone?!?!), the collagen supplement section seems to be growing just as fast. With all the options out there, it’s good to know what you’re looking at on the ingredient list.
Here are the most common collagen supplements you’ll see today:
Bovine Collagen comes from cattle, often grass-fed, and is made up of types 1 and 3 collagen.
Porcine Collagen comes from pigs and is made up of types 1 and 3 collagen.
When looking for a collagen supplement, hydrolyzed is the way to go. Hydrolyzed means it’s already partially broken down into smaller peptides so it’s easier for your body to use.
Whichever you decide is up to you. To your body, your choice. What matters most is that you take it constantly, that is how you will see the greatest benefit.
Marine Collagen is derived from wild-caught fish and is Type 1 collagen. Marine collagen is known to have superior bioavailability (your body’s ability to actually use what you consume) because it has a lower molecular weight than beef or pork, with some research suggesting it is absorbed 1.5 times more efficiently.
For our Whey Series, only the best will do which is why we exclusively use Collative Marine Collagen.
Why Collactive ™?
- Improves skin health
- Highly absorbable (100% hydrolyzed collagen (type I))
- Mimics collagen & elastin ratios found in skin
- Sustainably sourced and fully traceable
- Clinically-studied
Collactive marine collagen is developed using a proprietary process and formulated in the same ratio found naturally in human skin, 94% Type I hydrolyzed collagen, and 6% elastin oligopeptides.
But chose Collative for more than just this ratio. Collative has numerous benefits which include:
Highly absorbable
With a low molecular weight, Collactive is water-soluble with a high level of digestibility. Collactive has been shown to be effective at a 2-gram dose, compared to collagen products that recommend 5-10 grams per serving.
Improves skin health
Collagen Type 1 is responsible for the strength and moisturization of your skin.
Sustainably Sourced
Collactive™ is provided by CTPP-Copalis, representing a cooperative of fisheries in Boulognesurmer, France -Europe’s leading port for fish processing.
Collactive is extracted (solvent-free) from fish skin collected daily from 100% wild-caught fish – primarily haddock, saith, and plaice. The fish used in Collactive are fully traceable and sustainability harvested.
Clinically-studied
The Study 411:
A clinical study involving 44 women over 40 years old. The results show an increase of the entire epidermis hydration (+8%) after oral administration of Collactive for three months. In addition, Collactive caused a moisturizing effect on the skin.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 53 women aged 40-60 years were randomized to receive 1000mg of low-molecular weight collagen peptide supplement (a fish-derived collagen hydrolysate) or placebo, daily for 12 weeks. The group given collagen had significantly higher values of skin hydration after 6 weeks and 12 weeks.
The Results:
The Study 411:
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study 114 women aged 45-65 years were randomized to receive 2.5g of collagen peptide supplementation or placebo daily for 8 weeks. Eye wrinkles were visibly and significantly reduced in the group given collagen (p<0.05) at 4 weeks and 8 weeks.
The Results:
Where Can I Find Collative?
Collactive™ collagen is found Natreve Whey Protein.