Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein, and is a key component of bone, skin, muscles, tendons and cartilage.
It’s essential for healthy joints and skin elasticity, and provides support, strength and structure wherever it is found in the body.
Although we humans produce it naturally, as we get older that rate declines, and it has fallen to the health and beauty industry to give Mother Nature a helping hand.
Our Arella Vegan Collagen liquid supplement has been scientifically formulated to restore your overall health and wellbeing. We know it works, as do our customers, thanks to the excellent feedback we receive.
If you’ve never tried a collagen supplement before or you're sceptical about this hottest of wellness products, pull up a chair. In this blog, we’ll set out to answer the question: how do collagen supplements work?
What is collagen?
Collagen is produced when the amino acids glycine and proline are combined with vitamin C, zinc and copper, they twist together to form a robust triple helix.
There are around 28 different types of collagen, but the five main forms are:
Type I strengthening skin, bones, ligaments and tendons
Type II flexible cartilage supporting joints
Type III found in blood vessels, other connective tissues and internal organs
Type IV present in some skin layers
Type V found in hair, corneas and some skin layers
Type I accounts for around 90% of the body’s own collagen and is essential for maintaining skin moisture, skin hydration and generally healthy skin.
Sources of collagen
To maintain the body’s natural collagen production, it’s important to eat plenty of glycine- and proline-rich foods, such as meat and fish.
To ensure we have enough vitamin C, zinc and copper to aid collagen production, your diet should include foods such as papaya, citrus fruits, tomatoes, leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, shellfish, nuts, and whole grains.
Other good foods that can boost collagen production include:
- bone broth
- fish with skin on
- chicken
- red meat
- aloe vera
- beans
- eggs
- dairy produce
When we eat these collagen rich foods, the proteins they contain are broken down into peptides, absorbed by the body and used to create more collagen.
Ways to keep up your collagen production
We all know the benefits of a healthy lifestyle but scientists have identified several ways we can minimise collagen loss.
Watch what you eat
Include lots of spinach, kale, oranges, tomatoes, olive oil and fish in your weekly meals, so you eat enough glycine, proline and amino acids.
Getting lots of vitamin C and E in our food not only encourages collagen production to improve skin health, it also protects the collagen we have from being damaged.
Limit UV exposure
Sunscreen and hats are not just for summer. Wearing them both while also avoiding peak hours of collagen-damaging UV rays is a great way to maintain human skin health.
Make sure your sunscreen is at least SPF 30, and wear it every day if you are outside for more than 15 minutes.
Embrace a healthy lifestyle
Collagen loss can also be accelerated by lifestyle factors, including smoking, drinking alcohol and stress. Adopting a healthier way of life can help boost your collagen levels, strengthening connective tissue and potentially minimising joint pain.
Despite our best efforts to live and eat well, as we age, the body’s ability to produce collagen still diminishes, and we feel we need a boost in collagen production.
This is where collagen supplements come in.
Different types of collagen supplements
Collagen supplementation falls into two camps: those made from animal collagen, such as cow hides, fish scales or chicken feet, and those made from plant-based sources, such as our Arella Vegan Collagen liquid supplement.
The majority of collagen supplements contain Types I, II and III, and have a digestible form known as collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen.
You can buy three types of oral collagen supplement:
Collagen liquid supplements
Our Arella Vegan Collagen comes in liquid form. There’s no need to dilute it, so it’s practical to take while on the go, while the Japanese Plum taste is delicious.
It contains VeCollal® - the world's first plant-based (vegan) collagen alternative, it is one of the most effective collagen supplements on the market, with more than 70 scientific studies demonstrating its efficacy.
Unlike some collagen supplementation, VeCollal® is identical to Type I collagen in humans, is cruelty-free, environmentally friendly and backed by scientific research to ensure it works.
Inspired by the skin and body connection, our liquid collagen drinks have been formulated to restore overall health and wellbeing.
Collagen peptides
Collagen peptides are tiny pieces of animal collagen sold in the form of pills and powders.
When consumed, they are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and combined with other amino acids to produce more collagen for connective tissues, bone and skin.
Collagen powder
Collagen powder contains the same active ingredients and amino acids as collagen capsules and gummies, but the dosage can vary, depending on the product.
Most collagen supplements in powder form contain less sugar than gummies, and can be added to food and drinks to make them easier to take.
The science of collagen supplements
Many studies have been carried out to determine whether collagen supplements are beneficial for our health.
They include one in which participants took a hydrolyzed collagen supplement for 90 days. They reported their skin had improved elasticity and hydration, and fine lines appeared reduced, with no adverse side effects.
In a 12-week study, 26 older men with sarcopenia (an age related, involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength) took 15 grams of collagen while participating in an exercise programme. They gained significantly more muscle mass and strength compared to men who exercised but did not take the collagen supplement.
In studies of postmenopausal women who took 5 grams of collagen alongside a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement, they had significantly lower blood levels of proteins that promote bone breakdown, and an increase in bone density, compared to women who did not take collagen.
In a six-month study, 30 healthy adults took a daily, 16-gram dose of collagen daily. By the end of the programme, they experienced a significant reduction in measures of artery stiffness, while good cholesterol levels rose by an average of 6%.
Other potential health benefits of collagen supplements
While many studies suggest that collagen supplements have visible health benefits, it’s important to note that more research is needed to gather definitive evidence.
That said, there are several potential benefits of collagen supplements for wannabe healthy humans looking to take care of their connective tissue, tendons, teeth and bones.
Some studies have suggested that collagen supplements could ease osteoarthritis symptoms and relieve joint pain and stiffness, potentially reducing inflammation and enhancing joint health.
The amount of collagen in our body decreases as we age, also affecting our bone mass, again leading to conditions such as osteoporosis. Scientific research suggests that collagen supplements could reduce levels of bone mass loss and the associated osteoporosis risk.
Some health professionals have claimed the oral supplementation of collagen can treat leaky gut syndrome, as well as help strengthen hair and boost nail growth. Other claims of benefits from collagen supplements include potential weight loss and brain health, but are not backed by scientific research.
What are the side effects of taking collagen supplements?
Although more research is needed to fully understand all the benefits to our bodies, the studies that have been done show that there are no negative side effects from taking collagen supplements.
Clinicians add that taking a dietary supplement isn’t a replacement for embracing healthy lifestyle habits. It’s worth remembering that smoking and poor sleep quality can also disrupt how much collagen your body produces.
How long does it take for collagen to work?
While we can’t speak for other products, we can say that studies showed the VeCollal® in our Arella Vegan Collagen liquid supplement boosted collagen production by 134%.
As if that wasn’t enough to shout about, 80% of participants saw reduction in wrinkles after just four weeks. Just imagine the goodness that a daily 30 ml sachet was doing for their skin elasticity and hydration to achieve that result.
Boost your skin, body connection with our Arella Vegan Collagen liquid supplement
Do you want to give your skin, hair and nails a boost, as well as your bones and muscles? It couldn’t be easier with our Arella Vegan Collagen liquid supplement.
One 30 ml sachet a day is enough to give your body a collagen boost, without harming animals or the planet.
We offer a range of buying options, including a 28-day subscription. Just click the one that works for you and we’ll do the rest.
FAQs
If you have any queries about our Arella Vegan Collagen liquid supplement or any of our products, browse our FAQs.
Contact us
Alternatively, you can email us at info@arella-beauty.co.uk, call 03303 209190, or fill in this contact form and we’ll get back to you straight away.
