We saw the rise of collagen supplements in 2018, with products flying off the shelf but it turns out that this beauty trend is here to stay. Whilst the term collagen is nothing new collagen supplements have piqued consumers interests around the globe.
Our bodies are full of collagen when we’re born, but sadly our natural supply declines every year from around the age of 25. And by the time you reach 40, the body’s ability to produce collagen has decreased significantly.
What is collagen?
Dr. Susan Beck, SVP of science & research at GOOP explain to PEOPLE that collagen is often described as “the body’s scaffolding.” She explains, “It’s a type of protein that provides cushioning to different areas of the body, such as the skin. Collagen in the skin declines with age and environmental factors such as UV radiation and pollution, but there have been there have been studies in the last few years that show consuming collagen in the form of a dietary supplement has a positive effect on skin.”Collagen isn’t anything new studies go as far back as 1992, when Eskelinin found in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that women aged between 40-60 experienced epidermal and dermal thickening and increased skin elasticity after 90 days of using collagen supplements.A more recent study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology confirms that “oral collagen peptide supplementation significantly increased skin hydration after 8 weeks of intake.”How does it work?
We spoke to the experts at Health Performance Collective to find out exactly how collagen works. “Collagen is a protein that forms connective tissue throughout your body, from your bones to your skin” explains sports dietitian, Chloe McLeod. “Collagen fibres are very tightly packed together in young skin, so when the light hits our skin, it bounces back very quickly to give off that glow,” Dr Anita Patel, spokesperson for the Australasian College of Dermatologists, told Women’s Health. “As our collagen gets older it becomes more fragmented, so the light is absorbed into the skin and we have the perception that our skin looks duller.” But the results go further than just skin deep, Chloe adds “there is a growing body of evidence which indicates gelatin supplementation may help promote collagen synthesis and strengthen musculoskeletal tissues.”
What are the health benefits?
Jessica Spendlove, Sports Dietitian for elite athletes and clubs like GWS Giants and the Giants Netball team explains that uses gelatin supplementation (i.e collagen) for her athletes, “particularly those with acute or chronic connective tissue injuries (ligaments, tendons etc).” Numerous bodies of research “suggests there is a place for gelatin, or collagen supplementation in the active and athlete population groups, in both a preventative capacity, ongoing management or acute rehabilitation of athletes at risk of, or those with certain musculoskeletal tissue injuries.”Other benefits include:- Reduction of inflammatory gut related conditions
- Improved bone health.
- Plumper skin
- Stronger hair and nails
Is it safe?
There is currently no evidence that states otherwise.What are the dangers and side effects?
At this stage, no research suggests any dangers or side effects.One thing to note is that true collagen and gelatin products are made from animal products, so they may not be suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Although there are marine and vegan alternatives available, the amino acid profile isn’t the same as those coming from land animals so the benefits cannot be guaranteed.13\ Vida Glow
$59.95Marie Claire’s Online Beauty Editor, Anna McClelland, recently put Vida Glow Marine Collagen supplements to the test. And whilst she found them “a little salty” she was willing to continue drinking Vida Glow after the 30-day trial.
12\ Neocell
$39.9011\ Proplenish
$49.9510\ Vital Protein’s
$36.009\ Nature’s Way Beauty Collagen Booster
$29.958\ Shoalhaven Health Co Marine Collagen
$49.957\ Beauty Tonic Beauty Collagen
$38.006\ Beauty Boosters, Collagen-C
$29.955\ The Beauty Chef, Collagen Beauty Boost
$424\ Edible Beauty Native Plant-Based Collagen
$37.003\ Collagen Pure Protein
$69.952\ Nutra Organics Collagen Body
$29.951\ Nesproteins Collagen Hydrolysate
$43.95
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