COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS: COMMON MYTHS AND FACTS

COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS: COMMON MYTHS AND FACTS

One of the most abundant; and more so important proteins in the body is Collagen. Its fiber-like structure is used to make connective tissues that connect to other tissues. Also, collagen is a major component of skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and cartilage. In fact, collagen helps makes tissues strong and flexible and enables them to withstand stretching.

With age, the levels of collagen in our body deplete. Further, it’s harder for our bodies to produce more of it. This is because of reduced fibroblast activity; responsible for collagen production in the body.

As a result of this reduced rate of collagen production; we start getting symptoms like:

• Wrinkled, saggy and dull-looking skin
• Dull and thin hair that falls out easily
• Brittle; non-shiny nails

Collagen peptides that are commonly marketed online or over the counter, often make claims like:

• They increase collagen levels in the body
• They make your skin, hair and nails healthy
• They exert beneficial effects on joint health too

Though, such collagen peptides or powders may be good; and haven’t shown any negative effects in clinical studies so far;

we must know common myths and facts about these collagen supplements.

Myth # 1:

Taking any collagen supplement (peptide, marine collagen, pills or powder) adds to body collagen

Fact:

Taking collagen supplements in any form (such as collagen peptides, pills or powder – from marine, plant or meat sources) is not clinically proven to have significant effects. Taking collagen peptides or powder or pill is similar to taking normal food; as our body views collagen supplements like any other protein-rich meal.

For collagen to work optimally, you need to generate collagen within the body, not eat it.  This simply means you need to activate the enzymes within your body that activate Fibroblast activity, responsible for producing collagen within the body. 

Myth # 2:

Collagen "Peptides" Stimulate Collagen Production

Fact:

Collagen peptides are actually ‘fragments’ of collagen; formed by breaking down collagen into smaller pieces. Nevertheless, they do not stimulate enzymes responsible for stimulating fibroblast activity. Hence, stimulating collagen production is practically not possible with Collagen Peptides.

Scientifically explaining; your body starts making collagen according to a specific genetic DNA code. This code tells the enzymes inside skin fibroblasts (and bone osteoblasts) how to make collagen. Here's a medical fact. There are absolutely NO GENETIC CODES for collagen peptides. That means it is NOT POSSIBLE for collagen peptides to integrate into newly synthesized collagen.

Myth # 3:

It is impossible to replenish lost collagen 

Fact:

By activating the production of collagen within the body, one can replenish the lost collagen. For this, the fibroblast activity needs to be stimulated, which is responsible for producing collagen naturally within the body.

Myth # 4:

Collagen creams can make the skin more elastic and firmer

Fact:

Collagen molecules are too large in size. Hence, collagen creams are unable to penetrate the epidermis (topmost layer of the skin). This means that collagen creams are ineffective in this regard. However, such creams can help moisturize the skin and make fine lines and wrinkles appear less prominent. Nevertheless, this is just a localized, temporary effect.

For naturally younger-looking and radiant skin, it is vital to generate collagen endogenously.

References:

• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/collagen/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542226/
• Skin pharmacology and physiology. 2014;27(1):47-55
• Nutrients. 2018 Jul;10(7):826