Hydrolyzed collagen (HC), also called collagen peptide or collagen hydrolysate, is a kind of collagen that may be simply absorbed into the bloodstream when it is used as a complement.
In recent times, HC dietary supplements have grown in recognition amongst folks searching for to provide their pores and skin a younger look, alleviate joint ache, or enhance bone well being. It has additionally been utilized in medical trials as a complement for the promotion of wound therapeutic after a burn.
Nevertheless, the usage of collagen dietary supplements will not be with out controversy. There’s a lack of regulation over the standard or amount of substances in over-the-counter collagen dietary supplements, as there may be minimal peer-reviewed literature supporting its advantages.
In 2016, the collagen market was estimated at $3.71 billion and it’s projected to achieve $6.63 billion in 2025.
Whereas some research have produced promising outcomes about the advantages of collagen dietary supplements on pores and skin growing older, bone and joint well being, and different circumstances, extra analysis is required to totally perceive how collagen dietary supplements work.
Verywell / Alex Dos Diaz
Understanding Collagen and Hydrolyzed Collagen
A key protein produced within the physique, collagen is discovered primarily within the pores and skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, and tooth. It performs a important position within the construction and performance of the physique’s cells and tissues equivalent to blood vessels, cornea, gums, and scalp. And it promotes wound therapeutic and bone restore.
With age, collagen manufacturing declines. And a few folks take hydrolyzed collagen dietary supplements in an effort to assist restore collagen that has been depleted.
Collagen loss begins between the ages of 18 and 29—and after age 40, the physique can lose round 1% of its collagen per 12 months; at round age 80, collagen manufacturing can lower by 75% general compared to that of younger adults.
The collagen present in dietary supplements may be extracted from a number of totally different animal sources, together with cows and pigs.
Current analysis has proven good properties of HC present in pores and skin, scales, and bones of marine sources, equivalent to fish, and invertebrates equivalent to shellfish, jellyfish, or sponges. And a few producers additionally extract collagen from algae. Various sources of HC which have proven nice performance embody hen legs and ft, and a frog species present in China and Mongolia.
Well being Advantages of Hydrolyzed Collagen
Well being advantages of collagen dietary supplements have been reported.
Collagen analysis has particularly centered on:
Pores and skin anti-aging
Bone and joint well being
Wound therapeutic
Physique composition
There’s much less analysis on the consequences of collagen on weight reduction, nail progress, coronary heart well being, and eye well being.
Pores and skin Well being
Collagen makes up round 70 to 75% of our pores and skin, the most important organ within the physique, which protects us from exterior harm, helps regulate temperature, and performs different important bodily capabilities. As we age, collagen within the pores and skin’s inside layer can turn into depleted, resulting in dryness, lack of elasticity, and contours and wrinkles.
Current research have proven oral HC dietary supplements to be efficient in slowing down indicators of pores and skin growing older.
In 2017, Genovese et al examined 120 wholesome topics who ingested a nutricosmetic formulation containing 50 milliliters (mL) of HC or placebo. An evaluation revealed that the nutricosmetic formulation produced an enchancment within the construction of the dermis.
The construction and stratification of collagen fibers inside the dermis was additionally improved. In a post-study questionnaire, 95% of the themes agreed that their pores and skin was extra hydrated, extra elastic (91.6%), stronger (81.7%), and thicker (91.7%).
One other research, an eight-week investigation of 114 wholesome feminine sufferers, confirmed that consumption of collagen demonstrated a big discount in eye wrinkles in contrast with placebo. Topics additionally confirmed a rise in procollagen sort 1 (65%) and elastin content material (18%).
Lastly, a 12-week research that included 106 White females demonstrated that oral consumption of collagen derived from fish led to a big 8.83% enhance in collagen density versus 0% with placebo, and a 31.2% discount of collagen fragmentation versus elevated fragmentation with placebo.
Whereas these research provide some promising outcomes, the usage of collagen dietary supplements in dermatology has been controversial, because of the lack of large-scale randomized managed trials (RCTs). Moreover, some individuals who use collagen-based merchandise for dermatologic functions might have unrealistic expectations about outcomes.
Joint and Bone Well being
Up to now, there are greater than 60 research about HC efficacy in decreasing collagen harm, osteoarthritis (joint ache and erosion), and osteoporosis (bone density loss). These outcomes, in addition to a excessive stage of tolerance and security, could make taking HC interesting for long-term use in bone and joint degenerative ailments.
Current findings embody a research of 51 postmenopausal girls with osteopenia (bone loss) that discovered that the addition of HCs to calcium and vitamin D dietary supplements might improve bone metabolism.
In one other research of 250 topics with osteoarthritis of the knee, contributors got 10 grams of HC day by day for six months. On the completion of the research, there was a big enchancment in knee joint consolation, primarily based on each visible analog and ache scale assessments. Topics with the best joint deterioration benefited essentially the most.
Wound Therapy
Current findings present that HC-based dietary supplements may considerably enhance wound therapeutic and circulating prealbumin, and clinically scale back time spent within the hospital for burn sufferers. Low prealbumin present in burn sufferers at admission is predictive of an extended size of hospital keep.
In a 2019 pilot medical trial, 31 grownup males with 20 to 30% burns over their whole physique floor space had been randomly assigned to obtain both a collagen-based complement or placebo for 4 weeks.
Serum prealbumin, fee of wound therapeutic, and size of hospital keep had been assessed at baseline, and on the finish of weeks two and 4. Researchers discovered that serum prealbumin was considerably greater at week two and week 4 within the collagen group in comparison with the management group.
Modifications in pre-albumin focus had been additionally considerably greater within the collagen group at week two and week 4. Hospital keep was clinically, however not statistically, decrease within the collagen group in comparison with the management group.
One other investigation examined the impact of collagen supplementation on the remedy of stress ulcers (phases II and IV) in 89 long-term care residents. Sufferers handled with collagen demonstrated statistically vital wound therapeutic, as measured by the stress ulcer scale for therapeutic (PUSH) in contrast with placebo (rating of three.55±4.66 vs 3.22±4.11).
Physique Composition
Though there are few research performed on people concerning the results of collagen peptides on physique fats discount, early outcomes present promise.
A 2019 Korean research investigated the efficacy and tolerability of skate pores and skin collagen peptides (SCP) on the discount of physique fats in obese adults. Ninety wholesome volunteers with a imply physique mass index (BMI) of 25.6 ± 1.9 kg/m² had been assigned to the intervention group, which acquired 2000 mg of SCP per day, or to the management group given a placebo for 12 weeks; 81 (90%) contributors accomplished the research.
Modifications in physique fats had been evaluated utilizing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA scan). On the finish of the trial, the proportion of physique fats and physique fats mass within the intervention group had been discovered to be considerably higher than these of topics within the management group. SCP was properly tolerated and no notable hostile impact was reported from both group.
A second research additionally confirmed optimistic outcomes. In a cohort of 77 premenopausal girls, resistance coaching, together with collagen supplementation, induced a considerably greater enhance in fat-free mass and hand-grip energy than resistance coaching paired with placebo supplementation.
As well as, there was a considerably greater loss in fats mass and a extra pronounced enhance in leg energy within the remedy group in comparison with the management group.
Facet Results and Precautions
HC’s excessive stage of security makes it interesting as an agent for long-term use. Nonetheless, some folks might expertise unwanted side effects, equivalent to delicate digestive points.
Definitely, these allergic to fish or shellfish ought to keep away from any merchandise containing these substances. They’re additionally not appropriate for vegetarians or vegans since they comprise animal by-products.
As well as, the FDA has issued warning letters to beauty firms that make unproven claims about their merchandise or classify them as medicine, not cosmetics. These letters state that the merchandise are being marketed with drug claims, indicating they’re meant to deal with or forestall illness or change the physique’s construction or capabilities.
These have included claims that sure merchandise enhance the manufacturing of collagen and elastin, leading to pores and skin that’s extra elastic and firmer, with fewer wrinkles.
Customers ought to all the time verify with their healthcare supplier earlier than beginning any complement routine.
Lastly, collagen dietary supplements haven’t been examined for security. This contains particular populations equivalent to pregnant girls, nursing moms, youngsters, and people with medical circumstances or who’re taking drugs.
Administration and Dosages
Normally, collagen dietary supplements are ingested orally, as a pill, capsule, or in powder kind. HC is steadily used as an ingredient in meals dietary supplements as properly, because it has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It may also be consumed by consuming bone broth or pork pores and skin.
Relying on the situation being handled, advisable dosages can range, from 2.5 grams to 30 grams per day.
It’s necessary to notice that not all collagen dietary supplements are created equal. That’s, many over-the-counter HC dietary supplements comprise different substances, equivalent to hyaluronic acid, nutritional vitamins, and minerals, which may complicate determining the right dosage for a selected situation.
A Phrase From Verywell
Collagen performs key roles within the physique. Folks usually make much less of it as they age, main some to take collagen dietary supplements to interchange it. This has created a big marketplace for hydrolyzed collagen dietary supplements derived from cows, pigs, chickens, and marine animals. Though some research involving collagen’s impact on pores and skin, bones and joints, and wound therapeutic have been promising, extra analysis must be carried out.