Collagen for Beautiful Skin and Healthy Bones

What is collagen good for, and how do collagen supplements fit into a daily routine? What does the research say about collagen supplements?

Collagen Powder or Liquid Collagen: Why Does It Matter?

Collagen is one of the body’s most abundant proteins and plays a role in the structure of skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and cartilage. It has a fiber-like structure and is a key part of connective tissue.

Proteins are made up of amino acids. The main amino acids in collagen are proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids help form collagen’s triple-helix structure. As we age, the body makes collagen less efficiently, so many people choose collagen powders, capsules, gummies, or liquid supplements.

What Collagen Does

The most important functions of collagen are:

• Supports fibroblasts, the connective tissue cells in the dermis, which play a role in skin structure.
• Helping support the normal renewal of skin cells.
• Providing a protective layer for organs.
• Supports skin structure and elasticity.
• Assisting blood clotting.

The most well-known types of collagen

The body contains several types of collagen, and these are the five main types:

• Type 1 collagen is found in skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons.
• Type 2 collagen is found in flexible cartilage and is commonly included in joint-support formulas.
• Type 3 collagen is found in internal organs, blood vessels, and muscles.
• Type IV, found in certain layers of the skin.
• Type 5 collagen is found in the cornea and in certain layers of skin and hair.

Beef collagen, chicken collagen, and fish collagen

Collagen-containing dietary supplements and collagen products can provide different types of collagen, depending on the source.

• Marine collagen is a source of type I collagen and is commonly included in formulas designed to support skin and connective tissue.
• Chicken collagen is a source of type II collagen and is commonly included in formulas for joint support.
• Beef collagen provides type I and III collagen and is commonly used to support skin structure and connective tissue.

The price of collagen depends on the amount of active ingredient and the quality of the ingredients. Because collagen molecules are large and aren’t absorbed whole, they need to be broken down into smaller peptides or amino acids, also known as collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen. Collagen peptides are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.

Research on Collagen

Many people use collagen capsules and other supplements as part of a skin-care routine. Some studies suggest collagen may support skin appearance, but results vary.

A meta-analysis of 19 studies involving 1,125 participants (95% women) aged 20 to 70 reported that hydrolyzed collagen was associated with changes in skin hydration and elasticity in some studies compared with placebo.

A Read the study followed 102 postmenopausal women with low bone density. Those who took 5 grams of collagen peptides daily for one year reported different bone outcomes than the participants who took a placebo.

USA Medical High-Dose Collagen Capsules

If you’re comparing collagen capsules, look for a formula with a blend of collagen peptide sources, like the premium Collagen Complex capsules from USA Medical. This product contains bovine collagen peptides, hydrolyzed chicken collagen peptides, hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides, and eggshell membrane collagen peptides.

It is important to note, however, that dietary supplements do not replace a healthy lifestyle and a varied, balanced diet.

Hydrolyzed Collagen Capsules with 5 Types of Collagen

The USA Medical Collagen Complex capsules contain five types of collagen, including types I, II, III, V, and X. If you’d like to explore more supplements, browse our store for other dietary supplements.