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A Guide to Collagen Supplementation

collagen

A Guide to Collagen Supplementation

Dwayne N. Jackson, PhD

 

Collagen is a structural protein that binds our tissues together by forming their extracellular matrix. Simply put, collagen acts as the glue that holds our body parts together. As such, the many forms of collagen provide the structural basis for skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone, the digestive tract, heart, blood vessels, and spinal discs. Thus, it should be no surprise that collagen (in all its forms) is an important and abundant protein the body.

 

 

Collagen: 3 abundant forms of collagen in the body

 

COLLAGEN TYPE WHERE IT IS FOUND
Type I Skin, tendons, blood vessels, ligaments, organs, bones, skeletal muscle
Type II Cartilage
Type III

(forms gelatin when boiled)

Bone, nails, dentin, tendons, cartilage, bone marrow, skeletal muscle

 

Although collagen is naturally produced by the body, the science tells us that collagen supplements can provide significant health and aesthetic benefits.

 

Like most things, collagen production slows as we age. Combine this with daily exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and environmental pollution and you may find that collagen production fails to meet the body’s demand. It’s this process that makes us susceptible to premature aging, joint problems, and cellulite. In this article I have highlighted the science behind collagen supplements, how they can slow premature aging and help you look great and feel amazing!

 

Collagen Supplementation

 

Collagen supplements come in several different forms, from specifically isolated collagen peptides to full spectrum collagen isolates. Since there are several types of collagen, which play different roles in the body, the R&D team at ATP Lab has formulated 2 key products to cover the entire spectrum of healthy collagen supplementation.

Collagenik is formulated with hydrolyzed beef collagen, patented UCII collagen, and other cofactors which are proven to support the body’s natural collagen production. The hydrolyzed beef collagen consists of isolated bioactive collagen peptides providing all 3 types of collagen. Patented UCII is a premium collagen source that is produced under low heat and without enzymes. Advanced processing provide the purest and most bioactive Type II collagen available.

The formulation is supported by co-factors which have been shown to support the generation of collagen in the body.

 

LOOK GREAT!  

 

Wrinkles? Collagen to the rescue!

 

In humans, collagen (type I) makes up about ¾ of the dry mass of skin. Scanning your skin will quickly reveal that covered up areas, which have aged with minimal environmental influences, are generally silky, smooth, and well preserved. Now, contrast this with skin of the face, neck, and hands— body parts that are chronically exposed to the sun and other sources of oxidative stress. Although the degree of skin damage varies from person to person, we can all agree that damaged skin has less tone, shows significant ‘wear and tear’, and more wrinkles. This is mainly due to a breakdown of collagen and elastin in our skin.

In a recent study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, researchers from Germany and Brazil found that women who ingested 2.5 g of bioactive collagen peptides daily for 8 weeks had an 18% reduction in eye wrinkle volume (crow’s feet) compared to baseline. In contrast, those in the placebo group had a 14.5% increase in wrinkle volume over the same period. This translates to a more than 32% overall reduction in the appearance of crow’s feet in those who received the collagen supplement versus placebo! Furthermore, the scientists noted that the positive effects of collagen supplementation prevailed for at least 4 weeks after stopping the supplements. Beyond measureable changes in skin wrinkles, the authors further reported that those who received the collagen supplement had a 1.65-fold increase in skin collagen content and 1.2-fold increase in skin elastin content versus placebo.

 

Cellulite? Collagen to the rescue!

 

If you are afflicted with cellulite, you are not alone! In fact, cellulite affects 85% of women over the age of 20—appearing mainly on the thighs, butt, and abdomen. Cellulite rears its head for several reasons including genetics, age, diet, sedentary lifestyle, and pregnancy. Although cellulite is a complex problem, one major contributor is an altered extracellular matrix in the skin.

In a double blind and placebo controlled clinical trial published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, 105 women aged 24-50 years with moderate cellulite received a daily dosage of hydrolyzed collagen or a placebo for 6 months. At the end of the study it was found that collagen supplementation promoted significant decreases in the degree of cellulite and skin waviness on thighs in normal-weight and overweight women. The authors concluded that regular ingestion of bioactive collagen peptides, over a period of 6 months, leads to a clear improvement of the skin appearance in women suffering from moderate cellulite.

 

LOOK GREAT WITH COLLAGEN:

 

If you are looking to increase the overall appearance of the skin, and/or reduce the appearance of cellulite, then you should consider taking a collagen supplement derived from Type I and Type III collagen. I suggest mixing one scoop of Supreme Beef Protein in 250-400 ml of water (or milk type of your choice) and drink it sometime between breakfast and lunch.

 

FEEL GREAT!

 

Sore joints? Collagen to the rescue!

 

Collagen (Type II) is most abundant in the cartilage that lines our joints. This smooth cartilage type acts as a bearing surface for our joints, keeping them working smoothly and painlessly. Unfortunately, the normal wear and tear that comes with intense training and age can lead to premature breakdown of joint cartilage, promoting joint inflammation, bone loss, joint pain, immobility, and time lost from activity and training. In terms of joint pain, a recent clinical trial, published in The Eurasian Journal of Medicine, illustrated that when knee osteoarthritis patients took a native Type II collagen supplement with their standard daily dose of acetaminophen, there were significant improvements in joint pain, joint function, and quality of life that were far superior to taking acetaminophen on its own.

Although exercise promotes collagen synthesis, which (in a perfect world) provides ongoing repair to our joints, heavy training schedules, genetic predispositions, past injuries, and age make it difficult for our bodies to match collagen supply with demand. Recently, it was reported that taking a preworkout collagen supplement (with vitamin C) increases collagen synthesis better than exercise itself. In fact, subjects who took the vitamin-C enriched collagen supplement showed a 200% increase in collagen synthesis over placebo.

 

FEEL GREAT WITH COLLAGEN:

 

In an effort to keep your joints running smooth and painlessly, we suggest using ATP Lab’s Collagenik.

 

References:

 

Inoue N, Sugihara F, Wang X. Ingestion of bioactive collagen hydrolysates enhance facial skin moisture and elasticity and reduce facial ageing signs in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study. J Sci Food Agric. 2016 Sep;96(12):4077-81.

Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113-9.

Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S, Proksch E. Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology. J Med Food. 2015 Dec;18(12):1340-8.

Bakilan F, Armagan O, Ozgen M, Tascioglu F, Bolluk O, Alatas O. Effects of Native Type II Collagen Treatment on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Eurasian J Med. 2016 Jun;48(2):95-101.

Figueres Juher T, Basés Pérez E. [An overview of the beneficial effects of hydrolysed collagen intake on joint and bone health and on skin ageing]. Nutr Hosp. 2015 Jul 18;32 Suppl 1:62-6.

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