Well Groomed | Marine Collagen

Collagen is a fundamental building block for our skin. It’s the main structural protein in the various connective tissues in our bodies, and the most abundant protein found in mammals, making up between 25% – 35% of our bodies protein content. Not only does it mend bones and keep joints and ligaments strong, it provides the structure that causes skin to be firm, elastic and supple. From our early 20’s we begin to lose this vital building block at a rate of 1% each year. By the time we reach our 30’s, we’ve lost around 10% of our collagen. Studies have shown that to keep skin wrinkle-free and younger for longer, we need to keep our collagen levels topped up to slow down depletion.

The science behind supplements…

Within the deep layers of the skin, cells called fibroblasts are responsible for providing skin tension and continuously producing collagen and elastin. In young skin, the number and productivity of the fibroblasts is high giving skin firmness and strength. Unfortunately, as we age the efficiency of fibroblasts in the skin reduces. Reduced collagen synthesis together with further damage to collagen structures from the sun and lifestyle factors, such as smoking, leads to less collagen and therefore reveals the natural signs of ageing… wrinkles, lines and loss of volume. It is now well established that nutrition is a crucial element for maintaining healthy, younger looking skin. Collagen peptides, also known as hydrolysed collagen, come from fish (marine collagen). These collagen peptides are a perfect source of collagen which are upcycled to create a high-quality supplement. By consuming collagen peptides you are allowing your body to continuously produce more collagen to improve the strength of hair, skin, nails and bones. Like with any supplement, collagen supplements work best when they are consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

So what are the benefits…

• Skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body, the most visible and the most exposed to environmental effects such as sun damage. Collagen is crucial for maintaining the structure of the skin and therefore, youthful radiance and firmness.

• Joint Health

Studies have found that collagen can help reduce pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints and may be especially beneficial for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Collagen supplements can positively affects joints by improving the density of the cartilage in the joints.

• Flexibility and Mobility

Collagen supplementation may improve flexibility and mobility which is especially important for maintenance of an active and healthy lifestyle.

• Circulation

A major constituent of the structure of blood vessels is collagen, and ingestion of collagen has been shown to increase the elasticity of blood vessels and blood flow. Increased blood vessel elasticity may help to reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries and associated heart diseases. Healthy circulation also helps to boost the radiance and fullness of the skin.

• Hair

Collagen is an important element for healthy, strong hair growth. Supplementation with collagen may result in an increase in the thickness and strength of the hair. 

• Nails

As with hair, collagen is an integral part of strong, healthy nails. Research has shown that collagen supplements improve brittle nails if taken as part of a healthy diet.

How do supplements compare to collagen creams…

In comparison to collagen products applied directly to the skin, collagen supplements have several distinct advantages. The skin is a multi-layer protection system designed to prevent unwanted things to cross through it and enter the body. The fibroblasts that are central to the promotion of healthy skin are located in the dermis which is situated deep below the layers of the epidermis. Collagen molecules found in creams are too big to penetrate your epidermis, and definitely too big to get down into the dermis. In contrast, the hydrolysed collagen found in supplements has been broken down into smaller chains of amino acids known as peptides. It is the believed that when ingested orally these peptides can traverse the intestinal barrier and be absorbed into our bloodstream more easily, essentially providing the building blocks for fibroblasts to make new collagen. As with all supplements it is recommended you give them time to see the gradual effects, don’t expect instant results.

Which brands are championing marine collagen…