Le marine collagen is an ingredient that is becoming increasingly popular as an active ingredient in anti-ageing food supplements and cosmetics.
Products containing marine collagen are primarily intended for the beauty of the skin and the maintenance of good health, especially that of the joints.
The integration of marine collagen is important because it compensates for the reduction in collagen produced by the body with age.
Marine collagen is not the only type of collagen used to produce cosmetics and food supplements. Bovine or porcine collagen is also sometimes used.
However, marine collagen has a number of advantages over bovine, pork or chicken collagen.
Studies show that up to 30 % of skin collagen is lost in the first five years after the menopause; this rate is then reduced to 2 % per 2 years.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, accounting for around 33% of the protein composition of the entire human body.
Collagen is a structural and compositional element :
- bones
- of the skin
- muscles
- tendons
- ligaments
- blood vessels
- teeth
- of the cornea.
Collagen can be compared to a kind of 'glue', capable of creating a bond in the internal structures of the tissues that contain it. Not surprisingly, the Greek word for collagen means 'glue'.
Collagen represents around 80 % of the skin's dry weight and provides the skin's tensile strength (i.e. resistance to tearing by stretching).
Functions
Collagen plays an essential role in the formation of tendons, ligaments and skin, playing a mainly structural function.
Along with elastin, hyaluronic acid and other glycosaminoglycans, collagen forms part of the extracellular matrix, the three-dimensional structure that gives the skin its elasticity, tone and turgidity.
Different types of collagen
There are several types of collagen in the body.
TYPE I COLLAGEN
It accounts for 90 % of the body's collagen and gives structure to skin, bones, tendons, connective tissue and teeth. Most of the collagen in the skin is made up of this type of collagen.
TYPE II COLLAGEN
It is found mainly in cartilage, and its function is to cushion the joints.
TYPE III COLLAGEN
It is found in the dermis and is necessary to support the structure of muscles, organs and arteries.
TYPE IV COLLAGEN
It promotes filtration of the basal membrane and is located mainly in the skin, providing tissue support.
HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN
In food supplements and cosmetics, marine collagen is mainly found in its hydrolysed form, i.e. 'broken down' into small portions.
WHY USE HYDROLYSED COLLAGEN?
The structure of collagen is very complex because it is made up of large chains of very long, heavy proteins.
As a result, collagen is not used in its original structure in the formulation of food supplements, as it is not very bio-available and is difficult to digest.
To promote intestinal absorption of the collagen present in food supplements, the molecule is inserted in its hydrolysed form, i.e. partially digested.
To obtain hydrolysed marine collagen, special enzymes are added, capable of "fragmenting" the collagen into small, easily absorbable and more bio-available portions.
Certain hydrolysed collagen fragments (peptides), particularly those containing hydroxyproline, are able to cross the intestinal barrier, reach the bloodstream and accumulate in the skin for up to 96 hours 43.
Comparison of different collagens
Collagen is a peptide of animal origin, found in the connective tissue of certain meats and fish.
Hydrolysed fish collagen, taken in the form of food supplements (liquid, tablet or powder) provides real benefits for the skin, but not only that.
Marine collagen:
- is environmentally friendly and sustainable: to obtain marine collagen, we use parts of the fish (skin and bones) that are usually discarded;
- acts in the same way as type I and type II collagen in the human body, i.e. it :
- ensures beautiful skin
- has positive effects on cartilage
- has an anti-wrinkle action
- accelerates healing.
- formulated in its hydrolysed form, it is rapidly absorbed and accumulates in the skin
- protects the skin against UV rays;
- promotes the regeneration of bone tissue.
Bovine collagen
Bovine collagen stimulates the synthesis of type I and type III collagen fibres. That's why it's proven effective for:
- reduce fine lines;
- ensure that the skin is properly hydrated;
- maintain the skin's elasticity.
MARINE COLLAGEN VS BOVINE COLLAGEN
It seems that the hydrolysed marine collagen in the form of food supplements offers more benefits than bovine collagen, for a number of reasons:
- after ingesting marine collagen, the risk of creating inflammatory reactions is lower;
- marine collagen is safer, as it presents a lower risk of disease transmission.
- the intestinal absorption of marine collagen is faster and more immediate.
Plant collagen
Preparations based on plant 'collagen' are of no benefit to the skin.
Collagen itself is exclusively of animal origin, so it is found in the connective tissues of both cattle and fish.
Products sold as "plant collagen" are nothing more than gelatin, made up of polysaccharides that have a gelling/thickening action, but are of no benefit to the skin.
Benefits for the skin
Scientific research has shown that collagen plays an essential role as an anti-ageing molecule.
With age, collagen synthesis gradually declines, triggering a series of effects that affect the skin and body:
- the skin tends to look less toned, thinner and less elastic:
- it loses its natural moisture and looks drier
- wrinkles form easily
- the immune system is weakened
- the risk of digestive problems increases
- the risk of chronic diseases increases
With age, the endogenous production of collagen inevitably decreases, so absorbing marine collagen can slow this phenomenon, with positive effects on health.
Is it effective?
Benefits for the skin
The marine collagen-based food supplements taken orally appear to be effective in stimulating collagen production.
IMPROVES THE APPEARANCE OF SKIN, NAILS AND HAIR
Collagen improves the appearance of the skin, nails and hair: the increase in type I collagen fibres helps the skin to remain firm and smooth, while stimulating cell renewal.
Various studies have shown that patients who have taken marine collagen have observed benefits for the skin in particular:
- more toned skin
- more hydrated skin
- a reduction in wrinkles
- more elastic skin.
ACCELERATES HEALING
Le collagen accelerates healing and reduces the appearance of scars.
As a component that mimics the collagen in the extracellular matrix, marine collagen is able to promote skin regeneration after injuries of all kinds, such as scars, burns and rashes.
STIMULATES FIBROBLASTS
The addition of hydrolysed collagen can encourage the synthesis of other substances involved in skin beauty, such as hyaluronic acid, elastin and fibrillin.
LONG-TERM BENEFITS
The benefits for the skin can also be seen in the days following oral intake of hydrolysed fish collagen:
- collagen peptides can remain in the dermis for several weeks
- the skin is better protected from the sun's rays;
- the skin is much more hydrated;
- the collagen and elastin fibres present are repaired.
- Other benefits for the human body
The effectiveness of marine collagen taken orally does not stop at its effects on the skin.
Its functional actions act on the whole body, resulting in a series of benefits, proven and attested by various scientific studies and research.
Oral absorption of hydrolysed fish collagen is effective and beneficial in various areas of health:
PROMOTES BONE STRENGTH
Various studies show that peptides from marine collagen promote the absorption of calcium and other mineralsessential for strong bones.
HELPS STABILISE BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
In a study carried out in 2016 by the Alberta Diabetes Institute, an improvement in blood glucose levels was observed in patients with type 2 diabetes.
In fact, marine collagen contains a high dose of glycine, which is useful for balancing blood glucose levels.
REDUCES INFLAMMATION AND HELPS RELIEVE JOINT PAIN
Studies show that taking marine collagen is effective in promoting joint mobility and reduce age-related joint pain.
PROMOTES CONCENTRATION, SLEEP AND RELAXATION
Glycine makes up around 20% of the amino acids that form collagen.
Studies show that increasing glycine, derived from taking collagen orally, can have a positive effect on the brain, promoting sleep, concentration and relaxation.
PLAYS AN ANTIBACTERIAL ROLE
Recent studies have shown that hydrolysed fish collagen is effective in inhibiting the development of bacterial infections. This effect is made possible by the presence of collagencin, a peptide derived from collagen.
Applied directly to the skin, collagen appears to contribute only to superficial hydration, as it cannot cross the epidermal barrier.
For effective anti-ageing action, we recommend taking marine collagen-based food supplements by mouth.
Side effects
As it is a source of protein, no significant side effects have been observed following oral intake of marine collagen food supplements.
WARNINGS
It is recommended not to take marine collagen supplements if you are allergic to fish.
It is advisable to inform your doctor if you are taking medication to ensure that marine collagen does not interfere with your treatment.
