Collagen 101: What is collagen, why you need it & when to take it

Ingestible collagen is a fast-growing category. With the promise of glowing, resilient skin, split-proof nails and optimal hair health, there’s a lot to be excited. And a lot to learn.

Big claims don’t come without big questions. Like, what is collagen and is collagen a protein? Is collagen powder good for you and when to start taking collagen? Here, we’ll delve into the science behind marine collagen and invite you to discover its revolutionary benefits.

What does collagen do?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and acts as a support system. Think of it like scaffolding. Found predominately in the skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles, it provides structure to cells aiding strength, flexibility and elasticity within connective tissues.

Unfortunately, from our mid-twenties, collagen production slows making way for fine lines, wrinkles, a loss of elasticity and firmness, hair loss and breakage as well as brittle nails.

What does collagen do for skin?

Collagen makes up 70-80% of the skin giving the dermis its structure. It’s responsible for promoting a youthful, plump and smooth appearance by providing elasticity that allows skin to move back to its neutral state after muscular movements.

As your body’s own production levels wind down, replenishing this with a high-quality, bioavailable collagen supplement can help to maintain skin integrity and hydration to combat signs of ageing. Skin is left smooth, plump, firm and glowing.

What does collagen do for hair & nails?

Hair health was the inspiration behind Vida Glow’s founding story and one of the first areas our community report improvements in when supplementing with Natural Marine Collagen. A decrease in hair shedding, increase in thickness and length and an improvement in overall hair strength and scalp health are why collagen supplements have become a go-to for hair.

Similarly, it can help heal brittle and tear-prone nails. We know that consistent manicures and life’s daily demands leave nails feeling weak and dulled. By supplementing collagen, you can combat damaged and compromised nails, and improve your overall nail health.

What causes collagen loss?

We know that our body’s ability to produce fresh collagen naturally declines as we age. However, there are external factors that accelerate skin ageing and the depletion of collagen.

• Sun Exposure: Excessive UV exposure impacts the skin’s connective tissue in the dermis, breaking down collagen and elastin fibres. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
• Poor Diets: A high-sugar diet increases the rate of glycation, a process where blood sugars attach to proteins to form new molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
• Lifestyle factors: Pollution, stress and lack of sleep can also lower our body’s ability to naturally produce collagen and speed up the degradation of our natural collagen stores.

Why take collagen?

As an essential protein for skin, hair and nail integrity, maintaining collagen levels is the key to slowing signs of ageing. But why take collagen supplements over skincare or diet adjustments?

In skincare, collagen does a great job of moisturising and replenishing the skin, but it can’t penetrate the surface due to the size of the molecule. Likewise, collagen from our diets is difficult to absorb due to the large molecular size making hydrolysed Natural Marine Collagen the most efficacious way to replenish collagen and the ultimate superfood for visible, outward benefits.

As an ingestible, marine collagen is absorbed and distributed into the bloodstream, reaching the deepest dermal layers of skin. In doing so, it increases the pool of specific amino acids needed by cells to stimulate fresh collagen production. So fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, elasticity is improved, and the complexion is plump and glowing. With consistent supplementation, hair is thicker, and nails are stronger too.

What is collagen bioavailability?

Let’s start by understanding what bioavailability is. The term refers to the extent and rate at which a substance is able to be used by the body for its intended purpose. For collagen, this means being absorbed into the bloodstream for delivery to the hair, skin, nails and joints as needed. The more bioavailable a collagen peptide is, the more efficient and effective in getting visible results it will be.

Marine collagen is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently than collagen from cows or pigs, meaning it has optimal bioavailability. Vida Glow’s marine collagen also goes through a natural hydrolysation process ensuring the smallest peptides for maximum absorption.

When should you start taking collagen?

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to starting your collagen journey. The good news is, it’s never too late to begin. Both clinical and consumer trials have seen great results in mature skin.

For best results and maximum efficacy, adopt a preventative approach to your skincare routine. So start taking collagen from your mid-twenties or whenever you start to notice changes in your skin, hair and nails.

How much collagen per day depends on your age, skin condition and goals. Advanced ageing concerns may benefit from a higher dose. However, consistency is key so it’s important to choose a dose that works with your lifestyle and can conveniently fit into your daily regime. We typically recommend:

• One serve per day – for those 25-35
• Two serves per day – for those 36-45
• Three serves per day – for those 45+

Keeping your skin, hair and nails looking and performing at their best doesn’t have to be complicated. Supplementing with marine collagen is a simple and effective way to restore the collagen we naturally lose as we age to prevent premature signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, hair shedding and brittle nails. With a consistent daily dose, you can see results in just weeks without having to revolutionise your entire routine.