Hydrolyzed collagen - what is it? What is collagen hydrolysate?
We most often associate collagen with young, firm skin. In fact, this protein is one of the key building blocks of almost the entire human body and performs many important functions in it. Natural collagen production decreases with age, so it should be supplied through food or dietary supplements. One of the most popular types of this compound is collagen hydrolysate.
What is hydrolyzed collagen and how is it produced? What is the difference with regular collagen? Read our short tutorial to learn more about the form of collagen made with the hydrolysis process.
Spis treści
- Collagen hydrolysate - what is it?
- What is collagen hydrolysis?
- What is collagen hydrolysate made from?
- Fish (marine) collagen hydrolysate
- Bovine collagen hydrolysate
- What is the difference between hydrolysed collagen and a regular collagen?
- Why is it worth drinking hydrolyzed collagen?
- Which collagen hydrolysate should you choose?
- Hydrolyzed collagen or lyophilized collagen?
- Collagen hydrolysate - contraindications
Collagen hydrolysate - what is it?
Collagen deficiency worsens as we age, primarily due to the body’s natural aging process. A lack of this essential protein can lead to deterioration in the condition of the skin, hair, and nails, as well as numerous health problems. The body’s reduced ability to synthesize new collagen fibers can result in slower wound healing, the formation of wrinkles, reduced blood vessel efficiency, and weakened, stiff joints, among other issues.
To effectively replenish collagen levels in the body, supplementation is a great option. When searching for a well-absorbed form of this important protein, supplements containing hydrolyzed collagen are a top choice. Multiple scientific studies have shown that taking collagen hydrolysate can provide significant benefits to the body, helping to combat the effects of collagen depletion.
Hydrolyzed collagen is a protein that has undergone enzymatic hydrolysis, a process in which large collagen molecules are broken down into smaller fragments – hydrolyzed collagen peptides. This reduction in molecular size makes the collagen much easier for the body to absorb, allowing it to enter the bloodstream more quickly and effectively.
Additionally, because of this breakdown process, hydrolyzed collagen dissolves easily in both warm and cold water, making it a convenient addition to your daily routine. Whether you mix it into a beverage or add it to your food, it’s simple to incorporate into your diet.
What is collagen hydrolysis?
Collagen hydrolysis is a complex chemical reaction designed to break down long collagen chains into smaller, more manageable fragments. During this process, special enzymes are introduced to the protein mixture, which helps to split the collagen into smaller peptides, resulting in free, undamaged collagen peptides that have a low or medium molecular weight. These peptides are known for their high bioavailability, meaning they are easily absorbed by the body and can effectively deliver the desired benefits.
The properties of collagen hydrolysate largely depend on the type of hydrolysis used. While enzymatic hydrolysis is the most common and gentle method, strong acids or bases can also be used to break down collagen. However, this more aggressive method can result in collagen peptides that may be missing some of the amino acids found in those produced through enzymatic hydrolysis.
Enzymatic hydrolysis is a more costly method, but it offers significant advantages in terms of digestibility and biological activity of the resulting protein. One of the key benefits of this process is that it preserves sensitive amino acids, such as methionine and tryptophan, which can be degraded in more aggressive conditions, such as those involving acidic environments. This makes enzymatic hydrolysis a preferred choice for obtaining high-quality collagen with maximum nutritional value and efficacy.
What is collagen hydrolysate made from?
Collagen hydrolysate is primarily made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. The most notable amino acids found in hydrolyzed collagen are:
- glycine
- proline
- hydroxyproline
These amino acids are essential for the synthesis of new collagen fibers in the body, which helps maintain healthy skin, joints, and connective tissues.
To produce collagen hydrolysate, fish or beef are typically used as the source of collagen. These animals provide high-quality collagen derived from their skin, bones, and connective tissues. In some cases, pork is also used, specifically from connective tissues like tendons, bones, and skin.
Through a process called enzymatic hydrolysis, the collagen from these sources is broken down into smaller peptides, making it more easily absorbed by the body and ensuring effective supplementation.
Fish (marine) collagen hydrolysate
Products containing fish collagen hydrolysate are becoming more popular on the market. This ingredient is mostly acquired from bones, scales, and skins of fish like tuna, salmon, cod, and pollock. It contains mostly type I collagen, present in the human body in bones, joints, tendons, and also in the cornea of the eye.
Fish collagen supplementation is recommended especially for people wishing to slow down the aging process, but also for those who want to keep a healthy, beautiful appearance.
Bovine collagen hydrolysate
Another frequently bought supplement is based on bovine collagen, collected from bovine connective tissue like skin, tendons, or bones. It’s a valued source of collagen type I and III. Type III collagen is often perceived as complementary to type I, especially in tissues requiring elasticity and flexibility.
Products with bovine collagen hydrolysate are often chosen by physically active people who lead a healthy lifestyle, but also by aware consumers caring for proper joint functioning.
What is the difference between hydrolysed collagen and a regular collagen?
A protein included in such foods as meat, fish, offal, or bone broths doesn’t absorb into the organism as effectively as hydrolyzed collagen. The reason is its high molecular weight. Molecules of this protein, present in foods, are way bigger than collagen peptides received in the hydrolysis process.
Gelatine absorbs a bit better than regular collagen, but its molecules are still too big, which limits its bioavailability.
That’s why people who want to support hair growth or take care of joint health are recommended to take supplements with ‘youth protein’ in the form of powder or tablets.
Why is it worth drinking hydrolyzed collagen?
The benefits of using collagen in hydrolyzed form have been confirmed by numerous scientific studies. Its effectiveness is mainly due to its lower molecular weight, which allows the compound to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly and efficiently.
Supplementation with hydrolyzed fish or beef collagen can have a positive effect not only on the condition of the skin, hair, and nails. Regular intake of this compound can also contribute to strengthening cartilage and tendons, improving joint function, increasing bone mineral density, and accelerating wound healing.
Which collagen hydrolysate should you choose?
When choosing fish or beef collagen hydrolysate, it is important to pay attention primarily to the product's ingredients. For the sake of your health, it is best to reach for a supplement without added sugar from a trusted manufacturer, which does not contain artificial dyes, preservatives, or other unnecessary fillers in its formula.
The presence of additional functional ingredients, such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, biotin, or coenzyme Q10, is also very important. These compounds help in the production of collagen fibers, and their deficiency in the body can contribute to the deterioration of the condition of the skin, hair, and nails.
Hydrolyzed collagen or lyophilized collagen?
Alongside supplements with hydrolyzed collagen, you can often encounter products containing collagen in the lyophilized form. What is this ingredient, and what distinguishes it from regular collagen?
Lyophilized collagen, as the name suggests, is produced through the process of lyophilization, which involves freezing and evaporating the water between its molecules. This process does not damage the proteins – they remain chemically intact and retain all of their properties.
Products with lyophilized collagen are characterized by a high amino acid content. Additionally, they are easily digestible and pass through the human digestive tract more efficiently. Unfortunately, they are not among the most affordable products.
Collagen hydrolysate - contraindications
Although supplements containing hydrolyzed beef and fish collagen are considered to have a high safety profile, there are contraindications to their use. These products should not be used primarily by women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as by individuals with a tendency to be allergic to collagen.
It is also important to remember not to exceed the recommended daily intake while taking the supplement. Excess collagen in the body can lead to side effects such as joint pain, constipation, diarrhea, bad breath, and general weakness. In case of any doubts, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor or pharmacist.
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