Today’s post is all about collagen, what it is, why you need it, hydrolysed collagen and so on. This will give you a better understanding about why everyone needs it. Please write in your comments or any questions you may have in the comment section below.

What is Collagen?

Before we take a look at collagen, let’s first get some understanding about protein since most of what we are going to be talking about here is to do with protein.

What is Protein?

When we eat protein, it’s broken down into amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Proteins build muscle and help regulate immune function. Think of amino acids as beads strung together by a string to form a long chain which is protein.

What Are Peptides and Why Do We Need Them?

  • A peptide is a compound consisting of 2 or more amino acids.
  • Oligopeptides have 10 or fewer amino acids.
  • Polypeptides have 50 or less amino acids.
  • Peptides that have more than 50 amino acids are classified as proteins.

We need peptides because they are short chain amino acids, meaning they are so small, they can be absorbed by the body more easily. This allows them to penetrate the skin & intestines and enter the blood stream more quickly. One important protein in your skin is collagen.

Why is Collagen Important?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It’s necessary for the proper functioning of your skin, nails, hair, muscles, tendons, joints & ligaments, bones, tissue, gut, heart, brain and eyes.

People usually think of anti aging, reversing wrinkles or improving skin elasticity when they hear the word collagen. However, we need collagen for more than skin care.

As we age we lose collagen and peptides. The good news is that we can take collagen in a hydrolysed form, which means that the collagen is broken down and easier to absorb.

Collagen can be taken as supplemental pills or powder. Most collagen supplements are hydrolyzed, meaning they’re already broken down which makes them easier to absorb.

Collagen supplementation keeps your nails strong, prevents hair loss, strengthens bones, supports cardiac muscle cells, promotes gut health to name a few.

Types of Collagen.

Not all collagen is the same. Depending on where it’s sourced from, collagen can contain different types, ranging from Type 1 to Type 28, each with its own benefits. However, around 90% of your body’s collagen is type I.

Two major sources of collagen in supplements are bovine and marine. While both have benefits, each has a different makeup of types.

Bovine collagen is made from the skin, muscles, tendons or bones of cows. It’s rich in Type 1 and Type 3 collagen. Both of these types are some of the most abundant in the human body. Excellent for bone, joint & gut health. Rich in two amino acids proline & glycine.

Marine, or fish collagen is sourced from discarded fish bones and scales. It is rich in Type 1 collagen, proline, and glycine. However, fish collagen peptides are smaller, giving them superior bioavailability and digestibility.

Marine collagen is also rich in the amino acid hydroxyproline, which is an essential component of skin, blood vessel walls, and other connective tissues. Because of their molecular size they can enter the blood stream & be carried more quickly throughout the body.

What is hydroxyproline?

Hydroxyproline is a non essential amino acid derivative, which can be produced in your body from the amino acid proline, so you don’t have to get it from foods in order to be healthy. Hydroxyproline, stimulates the growth of new skin cells.

Hydroxyproline gives strength to the protein collagen in the bones, tendons, cartilage and skin

  • Vitamin C is required to change proline into hydroxyproline
  • Vitamin C cannot be made by the body, so we need to get it from our diet.

That’s the reason why vitamin C has been incorporated into the Joyome Collagen Multi Action Complex because Plexus does not leave it to chance that people are getting the necessary Vitamin C from their diet for the body to convert proline into hydroxyproline.

If you don’t have hydroxyproline what happens to the collagen structure & function? The collagen structure gets weaker & weaker & your gums start to bleed b/c there isn’t enough collagen to hold the blood back.

There’s pain in your muscles b/c the muscles aren’t strong anymore, or your teeth fall out b/c the collagen isn’t strong enough to hold them in place anymore.

These are the ingredients found in this Joyome Collagen Multi Action Complex Formula and the benefits.

Hydrolyzed Type I and III Collagen

Both these types provide structural support from beneath the skin’s surface, preventing sagging and wrinkles. Type 1 type is rich in the amino acid hydroxy-proline, which contains peptides that help naturally activate the body to produce collagen.

FOS Fructose oligosaccharide. (pre biotic) The same prebiotic found in our age-defying serums.

Vitamin C promotes antioxidant activity, and protects against the oxidative effects of free radicals, helps to replenish other antioxidants, and also plays an essential role in cross-linking collagen which gives collagen its strength and elasticity.

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient and an abundant antioxidant in the lipid fraction of the skin. It also provides photo-protective benefits to help defend the skin against damage caused by environmental aggressors.

Biotin. Also called Vitamin H, biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that supports healthy skin, hair, and nails. Humans cannot make their own biotin, and must get it from dietary sources or via synthesis from gut bacteria.

Ceramides are lipids, or fats, found naturally in high concentrations in the uppermost layers of skin & help form the skin’s barrier and helps the skin retain moisture. They help to enhance hydration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Ceramides make up over 50% of skin’s composition & helps the skin protect against environmental aggressors like irritants, and pollution. Ceramides have proven anti-ageing properties. If you compare them to bricks and mortar, skin cells are the bricks and ceramides are the mortar.

A great clinical study that was done supports the positioning around improving & supporting skin hydration, elasticity, smoothness & appearance in as little as 15 days with increased benefits after two months. Imagine that!

Pomegranate Fruit Extract is a nutrient-dense fruit that is rich in antioxidant phytonutrients, particularly anthocyanins. Anthocyanins possess anti diabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-obesity effects, as well as prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)

Acai Palm Fruit is a palm plant that bears large drooping clusters of its dark blue fruits that are rich in Anthocyanins and polyphenol antioxidants.

Lucuma Fruit Powder is a subtropical fruit that possesses high antioxidant capacity due to its high concentration of triterpenes, flavonoids, and carotenes. Triterpenes seem to favor wound healing.

Asparagus Shoot is a small shrub plant with one main stalk and numerous feathery leaves, asparagus is a rich source of antioxidant flavonoids and saponins that are responsible for its health benefits.

Saponins affect the immune system in ways that help to protect the human body against cancers, and also lower cholesterol levels. Saponins decrease blood lipids, lower cancer risks, and lower blood glucose response.

Camu-Camu Fruit Juice. A tropical fruit that is rich in antioxidants due to its high content of vitamin C and polyphenols.

Summary: Here’s what this blend does. It features hydrolyzed collagen at a lower molecular weight so your body can easily absorb these peptides to receive maximum collagen benefits, without needing to include high levels of grams of protein.

Some competing products include additional protein content, but don’t include targeted beauty boosting ingredients that this holistic formula does, including the ingredients listed above.

By doing so, this formula is able to boost not only collagen construction but also reduces collagen depletion which tackles both sides of the support, not just adding protein.

As you can see, this is a powerful collagen blend. However, the proof is in the eating of the pudding! Contact me for further details.

Love & Blessings,

Brenda