What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix found in the body’s various connective tissue, being cartilage, bones, tendons, ligaments and skin. As the main component of connective tissue, it is the most abundant protein in our bodies and makes up 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content.

The five most common types of Collagen are:

-Type 1: skin, tendon, vasculature, organs, bone (the main component of the organic part of the bone)
-Type 2: cartilage (a main collagenous component of cartilage)
-Type 3: reticulate (the main component of reticular fibers), commonly found alongside type I
-Type 4: forms basal lamina, the epithelium-secreted layer of the basement membrane
-Type 5: cell surfaces, hair, and placenta

Type 1 Collagen is found in skin, tendon, vasculature, organs, and bone (the main component of the organic part of the bone) / It assembles into fibers that form the structural and mechanical scaffold (matrix) of bone, skin, tendons, cornea, blood vessel walls, and other connective tissues.
This is the type of collagen you want to ingest in order to minimize fine lines, and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and hydration. Not only does it help rebuild your muscles, eyes, bones, and spine, but it’s also good for strengthening your nails and helping you grow stronger, thicker hair.

Type 2 Collagen is often found alongside Type I. It makes up of muscles, organs, arteries, and some connective tissues in the liver, spleen, blood vessels, and internal organs, including the uterus.

So, to help create and maintain thick, strong, and healthy skin as well as strong healthy muscle tissue for our skin to sit upon we need to focus on Collagen types 1 and 2.

Look for Hydrolysed Collagen powders.

It’s important to look for ‘hydrolyzed‘ collagen – it’s a process whereby collagen is broken down into small peptide chains that make it easier for your body to use and makes the supplement more effective. Hydrolyzed collagen is thought to be the only kind of collagen that can impact the skin positively and it’s what clinical trials and data support.

Watch this video of Fiona Tuck, (the creator of Vita Sole supplements and Collagen-Boost Marine Collagen Powder) talking about why it is imperative that collagen powders be Hydrolysed.

I became interested in Vita-sol products due to Nancy Abdou founder, CEO & head trainer at The Australian Dermal & Laser Institute (TADLI) recommended these products and learned how respected the creator Fiona Tuck, (known as The Forensic Nutritionist)  is within the beauty industry.

Vitamin C is needed for the synthesis and maintenance of collagen.

It helps to produce collagen, as it has an active role in collagen synthesis. It also acts as a sort of glue that binds collagen fibers together. Vitamin C also helps in the process of regenerating vitamin E. Vitamin C is important for immune support, skin health, and the growth and repair of body tissues.

Ascorbic acid is the pure form of vitamin C, and as the name suggests, it’s acidic. Vitamin C is generally well tolerated. For some people though, the pure ascorbic acid form may be too acidic and cause some irritation in the digestive system. An upset stomach or diarrhea may result. If this is the case, then a non‐acidic form of vitamin C could be a suitable alternative.

When ascorbic acid is bound with a mineral such as calcium or sodium, it becomes buffered and this changes it to a non-acidic form of vitamin C.

Buffered forms of vitamin C are gentle on the stomach, but you still get all the regular benefits of Vitamin C. So, if you have stomach sensitivities you may want to choose a collagen supplement that contains Ascorbate calcium in place of Ascorbic acid 

-Supplements consisting of ascorbic acid contain 100 percent vitamin C. Calcium ascorbate, on the other hand, is a combination of calcium and ascorbic acid, so it provides about 890 to 910 milligrams of vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid per 1,000-milligram supplement, with the remaining 90 to 110 milligrams coming from calcium.

-Ascorbic acid supplements are absorbed just as well as the ascorbic acid that is naturally present in foods, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Both the calcium and the vitamin C from calcium ascorbate are well absorbed. A popular vitamin C supplement containing calcium ascorbate and small amounts of other forms of vitamin C claims it is better absorbed than supplements containing just ascorbic acid, but the evidence for this is conflicting.

Side Effects to Consider:

If regular ascorbic acid supplements cause you to experience side effects, such as diarrhea, upset stomach, or heartburn, calcium ascorbate may be a better option because the calcium helps buffer the acid. There isn’t, however, strong evidence one way or the other that this reduces side effects.

If you choose calcium ascorbate supplements, make sure they don’t push your calcium intake over the tolerable upper intake level of 2,500 milligrams per day when you take into account the other foods and supplements you’re consuming.

Don’t consume more than the tolerable upper intake level of 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day unless advised to do so by your doctor. This could cause adverse effects, including stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and a reduction in the absorption of copper and vitamin B-12. If you have hemochromatosis, it could also make your condition worse because vitamin C increases iron absorption.

High intakes of vitamin C may increase blood sugar levels and heart disease risk for diabetics, and vitamin C may also interact with NSAIDs, antacids, blood thinners, the antibiotic tetracycline, chemotherapy medications, and protease inhibitors.

Do you need Hyaluronic acid within a Collagen Powder or supplement?

Hyaluronic acid is an important compound for collagen in the skin. It is found in foods rich in amino acids, such as beans, root vegetables, and soy. Adding hyaluronic acid to the diet through food can easily help to boost collagen levels. Hyaluronic acid is also available as a supplement.

So yes, if you can find a quality Collagen powder or supplement that contains Hyaluronic acid then great, if not make sure your supplement contains vitamin C (that’s a deal-breaker) and make sure to stay well hydrated, drinking 2 liters of water per day. Even if your Collagen supplement contains Hyaluronic acid you should work to drink 2 liters of water per day to maintain good overall health within all your body’s systems, keep the 3 pm dreaded brain fog at bay, and feel your very best.

I was NEVER a fan of collagen supplements until COVID-19 hit Perth in 2021 and I was separated from my clients for 3 months. When I was able to see my BeautyCats again two of them who had been taking collagen powders looked amazing, and we found it far easier to build on their treatment results due to them taking the supplement. I have listed the supplements these clients used below, as well as another brand I personally like.