What is Collagen?
Everything You Need To Know About Collagen Supplements
Essential for plump, hydrated, glowing skin, collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and is vital for the health of our bones, joints and connective tissues, muscles, gut, nails and hair.
Essential for plump, hydrated, glowing skin, collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and is vital for the health of our bones, joints and connective tissues, muscles, gut, nails and hair.
WHAT DOES COLLAGEN DO?
When it comes to our complexion, collagen is the connective tissue that gives our skin elasticity and a youthful bounce. It plays a vital part in keeping our skin smooth, supple and radiant by helping fibroblasts to form in your dermis, which helps spur the growth of new cells.
While we often associate collagen with skin, this protein plays an important role throughout the human body, having a major impact on your health. There are over 28 different types of collagen, with some of the most common types found in the human body including type I collagen (skin, bones, tendons, organs), type II (cartilage), type III (blood vessels, uterus, bowel), type IV (internal coverings of organs) and type V (hair).
Over 90% of your body’s collagen is made up of type I, which not only supports elastin in skin but also provides strength and structure to bones, tendons and ligaments, helping them to withstand pressure during stretching and impact.
What Happens To Collagen Levels As We Age?
Collagen is produced by the body when amino acids, which are sourced from protein-rich foods (including beef, fish, chicken and beans) are combined with minerals (such as copper, and zinc) and sources of vitamin C (think: citrus fruits).
When we’re young, our collagen levels are at their peak; however, collagen production can start to naturally decline as early as our 20s.
This decline in natural collagen levels causes some of the side effects of skin ageing, such as wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity, decreased hydration, joint pain and slower wound healing.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN?
One of the most incredible benefits of collagen is its ability to promote strong, supple skin. Collagen contributes to skin strength, elasticity, firmness and hydration—which become increasingly important as we age and collagen production naturally declines.
We are able to support our body’s collagen stores in two ways—firstly by consuming enough of the essential nutrients (such as vitamin C and zinc) which support our body’s own ability to synthesise collagen, as found in our liquid vegan collagen booster, COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost, and also by ensuring our diet includes enough of the amino acids required to build collagen, as in our marine collagen powder, DEEP MARINE COLLAGEN™ Inner Beauty Support.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SOURCES OF COLLAGEN?
Collagen can come from a number of sources—with bovine collagen deriving from the bones and hides of cattle and marine collagen deriving from fish. However when choosing a collagen supplement, it’s essential to dive a little deeper—as with where our food is sourced, not all collagen is created equal. The marine collagen used in our DEEP MARINE COLLAGEN™ Inner Beauty Support, for example, is made from 100% clean and certified sustainable marine collagen peptides which are sourced from wild-caught, deep-sea North Atlantic cod.
Our formula is made from hydrolyzed collagen—a process where larger proteins are broken down into smaller structures known as peptides. These peptides are more bioavailable and easier for our bodies to digest.
Which Lifestyle Factors Contribute To Collagen Loss?
It’s worth noting that external lifestyle factors such as excess sun exposure, poor diet, smoking, stress, and genetics can all speed up the natural loss of collagen and signs of ageing. That’s why wearing sunscreen and eating a healthy, well-rounded diet filled with vital nutrients and antioxidants is so important for our skin health and wellness goals.
Benefits Of Collagen Peptides: Why Take An Oral Collagen Supplement?
As we age, the natural process of collagen synthesis becomes less frequent. Taking a collagen supplement can help boost our natural stores and support collagen synthesis. When skin starts to lose its elasticity and the collagen fibres in our dermis start to become less effective (as early as our 20s), we often look to topical skincare, serums and creams to help counteract skin ageing. Think of collagen as part of your inner beauty skincare routine, helping to give your skin a youthful glow from the inside out.
While collagen supplements have been available for some time, studies and scientific literature in this area have been limited until recently. However, the science is catching up. Research now supports collagen health benefits, including how collagen hydrolysate can help to improve skin elasticity and hydration, boost collagen production, improve collagen density and promote wound healing.
WHICH COLLAGEN IS RIGHT FOR ME?
SHOP COLLAGEN
Marine Vs Bovine Collagen Powder: Different Types Of Collagen Explained
There are two main types of collagen used in supplements: marine and bovine. Put simply, marine collagen peptides are sourced from the skin of fish. Bovine collagen peptides are sourced from the hides and bones of cattle.
While both types of collagen have skin and wellness benefits, sustainability and transparency are important factors when choosing the right supplement or collagen protein for you. Do you know where your collagen is sourced? As with the beef we eat, not all bovine collagen comes from grass-fed cows and so as a conscious consumer, it’s vital to investigate how the cows were raised, how they were fed and the farming practices used in the product’s development.
Marine collagen can be considered a more sustainable choice when it is sourced from fish skins that are collected as a byproduct of the fishing industry. Supplements that carry the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) tick of approval contain responsibly-collected collagen obtained from fisheries that respect the surrounding marine environment. While marine and bovine are the most common types of collagen found in supplements, there are plenty of other collagen-rich foods out there—including bone broth and gelatin—that also have skin health and joint health benefits when consumed as part of a healthy diet.
Before adding a collagen supplement to your diet, always consult a medical professional—such as a GP, dietitian, nutritionist, dermatology expert or naturopath—for personalised medical advice.
COLLAGEN FAQ
WHAT CAUSES LOSS OF COLLAGEN IN THE BODY?
Unfortunately, we’re not promised an endless supply of this firming protein. In fact, as we age, our body’s ability to produce, store and synthesise collagen naturally declines, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and a lack of elasticity. And while collagen degradation and skin-related ageing
are inevitable, there are certain unhelpful habits—think smoking, sun damage and poor dietary choices—that can speed up the process.
Why take collagen?
One of the main reasons to take collagen is due to our body’s declining ability to produce and store collagen we age. It’s essential to help support collagen formation by consuming enough amino acids from protein-rich foods—as this builds and boosts our collagen stores—as well as the essential vitamins and minerals (including vitamin C and zinc) which enable our bodies to continue to produce this skin-plumping protein. In addition to a well-balanced diet that focuses on wholefoods, including a collagen supplement in your daily inner beauty routine is an excellent way to support your body’s ability to produce, protect and preserve collagen.
whAT IS THE BEST COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENT?
In the same way we each have different dietary preferences, we each will have a different set of preferences that will determine the best collagen supplement to take. What is important to consider, however, is where your collagen is sourced—as not all supplements are created equal. The Beauty Chef’s DEEP MARINE COLLAGEN™ Inner Beauty Support is a marine collagen powder sourced from wild-caught, deep-sea North Atlantic cod. It is clean and sustainable making it an excellent choice for someone looking to add a marine collagen supplement to their inner beauty routine. However, as it derives from fish, it is not suitable for vegans or those with a fish allergy.
In contrast, our COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost is a plant-based, vegan alternative to traditional collagen supplements and combines natural, wholefood ingredients with vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, and zinc, which contributes to normal skin structure and the maintenance of normal hair and nails.
WHAT ARE COLLAGEN PEPTIDES?
Collagen peptides are the smaller molecules produced when collagen protein is broken down through the process of hydrolyzation. As these smaller peptides have a lower molecular weight, they are water soluble and more easily digested and absorbed by the body.
WHAT CAUSES LOSS OF COLLAGEN IN THE BODY?
Unfortunately, we’re not promised an endless supply of this firming protein.
In fact, as we age, our body’s ability to produce, store and synthesise collagen naturally declines, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and a
lack of elasticity. And while collagen degradation and skin-related ageing
are inevitable, there are certain unhelpful habits—think smoking, sun
damage and poor dietary choices—that can speed up the process.
WHY SUPPORT COLLAGEN FORMATION?
As our body’s natural ability to produce collagen declines with age, it’s essential to help support its formation by consuming enough amino
acids from protein-rich foods—necessary for building and boosting our collagen stores—as well as the essential vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin C and zinc) which enable our bodies to continue to produce this
skin-plumping protein. In addition to a well-balanced diet that focuses on wholefoods, including a collagen supplement in your daily inner beauty routine is an excellent way to support your body’s ability to produce and preserve collagen.
why take the beauty chef's products?
Our COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost is a plant-based, vegan alternative to traditional collagen supplements and combines natural, wholefood ingredients with vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, and zinc, which contributes to normal skin structure and the maintenance of normal hair and nails.
DEEP COLLAGEN™ Inner Beauty Support is a marine collagen powder sourced from wild-caught, deep-sea North Atlantic cod. It is clean and sustainable—however as it derives from fish, it is not suitable for vegans or those with a fish allergy.
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