What do Collagen Peptides do? – What You Need to Know

As we age, our body’s collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and weakened joints. This is a problem because collagen is essential for maintaining the structure, strength, and elasticity of our skin, hair, nails, and joints. A lack of collagen can result in a loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. It can also cause joint pain and weakness, making it difficult to move and perform everyday activities. 

By reading this article, you will understand what collagen peptides are, how they are made, and how they can benefit your overall health and well-being. Considering incorporating collagen peptides into your diet may help to improve your skin, hair, nails, and joints, and help to slow down the aging process.

What are Collagen Peptides?

Collagen peptides, also known as collagen hydrolysate, are short chains of amino acids derived from collagen that are created by breaking down the full-length collagen molecules. They are made of the same amino acids as collagen, but they have different properties.

This process makes the collagen more bioavailable, meaning that it is easier for the body to absorb and utilize the collagen. The hydrolysis process also allows for a specific molecular weight of collagen peptides, which can vary depending on the source of the collagen and the processing methods used. 

After consumption and absorption, collagen peptides travel throughout the body, repairing, rebuilding and providing energy. Collagen peptides are shuttled to the different tissues where cells will build the peptides into full-length collagen helices to repair our skin, bones and joints, or the cells can use the amino acids directly for energy.

Collagen peptides are good for aging skin and osteoarthritis, as well as for osteoporosis, brittle nails, muscle strength, and many other purposes. It’s important not to confuse collagen peptides with other types of collagen or with gelatin. To ensure optimal results, it is essential to choose a high-quality source of collagen peptides, as the quality can vary depending on the source, processing methods, and purity and concentration

How Collagen Peptides are made?

Collagen peptides are made by breaking down native collagen, using a process called enzymatic hydrolysis. This process involves using enzymes to break down the peptide bonds and extract the collagen peptides from the native collagen. The native collagen, such as bovine hide, must first go through a softening process to release the collagen peptides. The enzymatic hydrolysis process is carefully controlled to ensure that the resulting collagen peptides have the desired properties and molecular weight. The final product is a short chain of amino acids that can be used in supplements

What’s the Difference Between Collagen vs. Collagen Peptides?

When it comes to collagen vs. collagen peptides, the main distinction is in their composition. Collagen is a long chain of amino acids that makes up the structure of cartilage, bone, and skin. However, collagen peptides are created by breaking down these long chains into smaller pieces, making them more bioavailable and easier to absorb into the bloodstream. In other words, collagen peptides are essentially a more easily digestible form of collagen. Collagen peptides are more broken down form of collagen and are more easily absorbable in the bloodstream because they are shorter chains of amino acids than collagen and gelatin. They are fully hydrolyzed and have a more readily absorbable form.

Can Collagen Peptides cause weight gain?

No, collagen peptides supplements will not lead to weight gain, in fact, it can aid in weight loss efforts when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Collagen is beneficial for overall health and wellness, supporting the health of bones, muscles, hair, skin, and nails. Additionally, it can contribute to improving heart health, making it a valuable addition to a weight loss regimen.

What Collagen Peptides do?

Collagen peptides have been found to have a wide range of potential benefits for overall health and wellness. Studies have shown that regular intake of collagen peptides may lead to improved skin elasticity and hydration, resulting in a reduction of wrinkles and fine lines.

Additionally, collagen peptides may help to increase bone density and provide relief from joint pain, which can be especially beneficial for those suffering from osteoarthritis. Collagen peptides may also play a role in improving gut health, which can have a positive impact on overall health and digestion.

According to one research study, daily collagen intake can help make your bones thicker, slowing down the deterioration that makes them brittle. Oral collagen supplements have been found to improve skin hydration and suppleness. They may also aid in the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin, giving a more youthful appearance.

Who needs Collagen Peptides?

Collagen peptides can be beneficial for a variety of individuals, including those who want to improve their overall skin health and appearance, strengthen their hair and nails, increase muscle mass, and support weight loss goals. Additionally, for those who are looking to make a healthy change in their life, collagen can be a valuable addition to their diet. It is especially helpful for those who suffer from brittle and weak hair and nails, or who want to improve muscle strength and lower body fat composition

Not all Collagen Peptides are created equal

When it comes to collagen peptides, not all sources are created equal. The outcome of the hydrolysis process that creates collagen peptides can vary from one source to another, resulting in different peptide profiles. Different sources of collagen peptides have their own unique profile, and some are more effective than others. Like two different fingerprints, they may appear similar on the surface, but when you look closely, there are significant differences.

These small differences in the composition of peptides can have a dramatic effect on their ability to stimulate collagen. The results presented below are only applicable to specific collagen peptides. These specific bioactive collagen peptides undergo a patented process to create a unique composition of peptides, or peptide profile, to ensure the best results.

Research on Bioactive Collagen Peptides:

A study on bioactive collagen peptides began with in vitro work on primary human dermal fibroblasts. These cells are found in the dermis layer of the skin and are responsible for creating collagen for the skin. The preliminary research demonstrated a positive effect of specific bioactive collagen peptides on the expression of important proteins in the skin. Most importantly, there was a pronounced and statistically significant increase in type I collagen expression (data not published).

After this research discovered that a specific composition of collagen peptides was optimized to produce higher levels of collagen synthesis than generic collagen peptides, researchers needed to conduct human clinical trials to measure the clinical effectiveness of these collagen peptides. The term BCP represents the specific bioactive collagen peptides for beauty from within benefits in these studies.

Published Study #1: Skin Elasticity

The first of many human clinical trials was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, with 69 healthy women ages 33-55 years who were randomized to receive either 2.5 grams or 5 grams of BCP, or a placebo once daily for 8 weeks. Skin elasticity was measured as the primary outcome, along with several other aspects of skin health. The results showed that BCP significantly increased skin elasticity compared to placebo at both doses provided. This effect was significant in as little as 4 weeks and persisted after 8 weeks of supplementation. Interestingly, in some women a maximum increase of skin elasticity up to 30% could be observed after 8 weeks1.

Published Study #2: Skin Wrinkles

The second human clinical was even larger, with 114 women ages 45-65 years who were randomized to receive either 2.5 grams of BCP or placebo. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine the effectiveness of BCP on eye wrinkles and stimulation of collagen and elastin in the skin. Eye wrinkle volume (crow’s feet) was measured using a specific instrument that captured images of the skin and then compared those images taken at the beginning of the study (baseline) with those taken at the end of the study. Collagen and elastin levels were measured using suction blister biopsies. This is a method of measuring skin proteins by taking a small biopsy of the skin using a suction chamber and then analyzing it.

The results showed that BCP significantly reduced eye wrinkle volume after 4 weeks, and this effect was even more pronounced after 8 weeks with an average reduction of 20% compared to the placebo group. Procollagen type I content increased by 65% after 8 weeks of BCP treatment, which was a statistically significant change compared to the placebo group. Procollagen type I is the precursor to the making of collagen type I, which is the most abundant type of collagen in the skin. In addition to the increase in collagen, BCP also increased elastin content of the skin by 18% compared to the placebo group. Collagen and elastin are crucial to skin structure, firmness, and elasticity2.

Published Study #3: Nail Support

The third human clinical was an exploratory study to determine if BCP has any impact on nails. It was an open-label clinical trial, with 25 participants who took BCP daily for 24 weeks. Nail growth rate and broken or chipped nails were evaluated along with a physician’s evaluation of brittle nails. The results were very promising, showing that BCP treatment promoted an increase of 12% in nail growth rate and a decrease of 42% in the frequency of broken nails. Additionally, 64% of participants in this study achieved a global clinical improvement in brittle nails. The majority of participants in this study agreed that the use of BCP improved their nails’ appearance and was completely satisfied with the performance of this product3.

There are additional studies on these BCP for hair health4 and the skin on the body (5), but we will save those for another day. The study results are impressive on their own, and even more impressive when you consider these are published in scientific journals where they are peer-reviewed for increased credibility. It cannot be assumed that different collagen peptides would provide the same effects. So, the results of these studies and beneficial effects cannot be extrapolated to generic collagen peptides, and instead are specific to this source of bioactive collagen peptides.

Quality of Collagen Peptides

It is important to note that the quality of collagen peptides can vary greatly, and choosing a high-quality source is crucial for optimal health benefits. Factors that affect the quality of collagen peptides include the source of collagen, processing methods, and purity and concentration. Choosing a high-quality source of collagen peptides can ensure better absorption and effectiveness, as well as reduced risk of adverse effects.

Conclusion

In summary, collagen peptides are smaller pieces of the protein collagen that are better absorbed and digested by the body. Different sources of collagen peptides have their own unique peptide profiles, and some are more effective than others. Research on specific bioactive collagen peptides has shown their effectiveness in improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles, as well as stimulating collagen and elastin production in the skin. It is important to choose a high-quality source of collagen peptides for optimal health benefits. For a proven and effective source of collagen peptides, check out Beauty Focus Collagen+ or learn more by reading “What is Beauty Focus Collagen+

References:

  1. Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(1):47-55. doi:10.1159/000351376.
  2. 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):113-119. doi:10.1159/000355523
  3. Hexsel D, Zague V, Schunck M, Siega C, Camozzato FO, Oesser S. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(4):520-526. doi:10.1111/jocd.12393
  4. Oesser (2020). The oral intake of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides has a positive effect on hair thickness. Nutrafoods, 1:134-138.
  5. 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;18:1340–1348. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2015.0022
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Emily Taylor

Emily is a health and beauty writer who is passionate about natural and high-quality products, as well as self-care. She aims to inspire others to prioritize their well-being through her writing.