Collagen is a vital essential protein that acts as a natural building block within our bodies. It basically helps hold us all together and is a necessary ingredient of the connective tissue that makes up a lot of things in our bodies like ligaments, muscles and our skin. Collagen has become steadily more trendy as a popular ingredient in a lot of beauty products and as a nutritional supplement and you might be wondering what all the hype is about. That’s why we’re here, to give you 4 reasons why you need collagen and should consider topping up.

1. Protect your Skin

Collagen makes up to 80% of our skin and is what gives our skin its strength and elasticity. We naturally produce collagen and have quite a lot of it when we’re young. But as we get older, our collagen production gradually starts to slow down and we begin to notice signs of ageing due to the lack of elasticity in our skin and an increase in wrinkles and lines. This process begins at about 25 years of age, and our collagen production continues to decline from there, especially when women go through menopause. By the time people hit middle-age their bodies typically produce less than half the collagen they once had in their youth and they produce less every year.

Plus external factors like UV rays from the sun, smoking and pollution can also inhibit collagen production. That’s why it’s important to top up on your collagen levels. If our body’s collagen production declines as we age, a simple solution could be to get your collagen from somewhere else, like a nutritional supplement. Studies have found that taking collagen supplements can help improve skin elasticity and slow signs of ageing. One 8-week study in women aged 35-55 found taking collagen supplements significantly improved skin elasticity compared to a placebo. Another 12-week study found that a daily collagen supplement improved the amount of protein in the skin and reduced signs of skin ageing.

2. Protect your Joints

Collagen is not just a vital protein for our skin, but for our joints as well. We use our joints all the time; to walk, run, bend, dance and more. An important component to allowing this movement and protecting our joints is the cartilage. One of collagen’s vital functions is to help maintain this cartilage and protect our joints and movement. But over time, as our collagen production starts to deplete, cartilage begins to naturally wear down and our joints lose their protective layer. This can cause inflammation, pain and make it difficult to move like we used to. Topping up on collagen can help reintegrate this vital protein and help maintain our cartilage tissue, which could protect our joints and help us move with less pain.

3. Protect your Gums

Surprisingly collagen is also necessary for the continued health of your teeth and gums. It plays an important role in strengthening your teeth and making sure they stay binded to your gums, helping to reduce the risk of receding gums which can cause root decay and inflammation, both of which are painful. While collagen supplements won’t be able to regrow any tooth decay, keeping your gums and teeth healthy is the best way to avoid any such problems in the future. 

In fact, research in Germany has been able to support the theory that collagen can help support the health of your gums, and could even improve gum healing. The study followed 14 patients who all had gum recessions, some of which had led to exposed tooth roots. The scientists used bovine collagen implants that were held in place around the affected areas and, after 6 months, the collagen implants were able to improve the ‘look and severity’ of the recessions, and in over half of the cases, the exposed roots became completely covered. It’s believed that the collagen was able to act as a support for the gums' own cells to repair themselves. While this is an extreme example, and involves implants rather than supplementation, it shows just how necessary collagen can be to the continued health of your gums and teeth.

4. Protect your Hair

Last but definitely not least, we need collagen to help maintain the health, strength and fullness of our hair. Collagen is rich in amino acids, primarily proline, which our bodies need to build keratin, the building block of the hair and the protein that contributes to helping your hair become healthier and thicker. Collagen also makes up to 70% of your dermis, which is a layer of your skin below the epidermis which houses your hair root follicles. But as you age, your body produces less collagen which could weaken the dermis layer. There is a theory that this is one of the reasons why hair gets thinner over time. Providing your body with collagen to replenish your depleted production, therefore, may help maintain a healthy dermis and reduce the risk of your hair thinning. 

So, collagen is a vitally important protein for our bodies, but we steadily begin to produce less and less of it as time goes on. Supplementation could be key to helping to top up levels and maintaining healthy skin, joints, gums, hair and more.

But what type of collagen supplementation should you take? 

1. Look out for Type 1 Collagen: There are many different types of collagen, but Type 1 is one of the most abundant forms of collagen in our bodies. Type 1 collagen is most typically associated with skin, bones and tendons and some studies have shown that taking Type 1 collagen supplements helps increase the number of fibroblasts in the skin, which are the cells that repair and create new skin cells. If you’re looking to protect your skin then you might consider looking for supplements that source Type 1 collagen.

2. Make sure it's Hydrolysed: Normally, most collagen molecules are so large that they are simply too big to be absorbed through cell walls and that makes it extremely hard for them to reach the skin. That’s why it’s important to always look for the hydrolysed versions of supplements as the collagen molecules are smaller, and therefore more likely to be absorbed through the cell walls and able to do their job. Studies have shown that 90% of hydrolysed collagen is absorbed in just a few hours. 

3. Try Marine Sourced Collagen: Collagen supplements were traditionally bovine in origin, but we have now discovered how to source it from marine sources too. Marine collagen peptides, which are derived from fish scales, are much smaller than bovine collagen which allows them to be more easily digested and absorbed into your body, up to 1.5 times more efficiently than bovine or porcine collagen. To ensure the best possible results it might be best to look for marine sourced collagen when you’re researching the type of collagen you want to take. 

That's why The Naturality Lab's collagen supplements are made using only Marine Hydrolysed Type 1 collagen!

Here at The Naturality Lab, we have worked with nutritionists and experts to create Collagen Skin Rejuvenation Formula capsules and Marine Hydrolysed Collagen powder, which combine Marine Hydrolysed Type 1 collagen with other vital nutrients to help boost your collagen absorption, stimulate your own natural collagen production and hydrate your skin from within. 



Our Collagen Skin Rejuvenation Formula capsules contain a unique skin protection blend that repairs, hydrates and revitalises for healthy, younger looking skin. It works in 4 ways to:

1. Reduce fine lines and wrinkles by topping up collagen loss as we age.
2. Support elasticity and firmness with Silica, Copper and Astaxanthin which stimulates collagen production.
3. Hydrate and moisturise by repairing the skin’s water barrier using super hydrators like Hyaluronic Acid.
4. Protect against UV damage with restorative Grapefruit extract, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to nourish and detoxify your skin from within. 

 

 

Our Marine Hydrolysed Collagen powder contains the 18 amino acids your body needs to maintain healthy skin, hair, nails and joints. Our delicious orange flavoured powder drink is enriched with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, plus the complete set of B Vitamins including Biotin. Each scoop contains 10g of Marine Hydrolysed Type 1 collagen to provide the foundation for beautiful skin, strong connective tissues and sturdy bones.

And remember, like all supplements, taking collagen consistently is the best way to see the benefits.

Sources: Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V & Oesser S (2014) Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study; Schlee M, Ghanaati S, Willershausen I, Stimmlmayr M, Sculean A & Sader R A (2012) Bovine pericardium based non-cross linked collagen matrix for successful root coverage, a clinical study in human;