About Collagen

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein throughout the human body, it offers support and strength to everything from our bones to our fingernails. 

Collagen functions much like the frame of a house. Without the frame, your house will tumble down. 

Collagen not only anchors cells to each other (like cement and glue) but it also forms sturdy fibril strands that work as supporting structures for the skin, bones, connective tissues, and more. 

 

Where Is Collagen Found In The Body?

 

 

There are 28 Types of Collagen 

 

The 5 most common types are Type I, II, III, IV and V.

Type I Collagen is the most abundant in our body (over 90%)  and stronger than steel by weight. It is found in skin, hair, nails, muscle, joints and organs.

Type II Collagen makes up movable joints.

Type III (the so-called 'baby collagen') is the second most abundant collagen in human tissue.

Type IV forms basal lamina, the epithelium-secreted layer of the basement membrane.

Type V is present in cell surfaces, hair and placenta.

 

The Collagen Molecule:  A Look Inside

 

Each collagen molecule is a unique building block consisting of hundreds of  different amino acids (with high concentrations of 18 primary amino acids) connected like a chain in a triple-helix design that provides strength, rigidity and structural support for our skin and body.

 

 

Major Amino Acids That Make Up Collagen 

 

Our body produces collagen when we're young, but production gradually slows in our mid-20's.

 

While we’re born with an abundance of collagen in our skin, the body's production of collagen slows in our mid-to-late 20's and continues to decrease dramatically after age 30.  From there, the collagen levels in our skin begin to drop by 1-2% each year. When collagen starts to decline with age -- or due to excessive exposure to UV rays, pollution, or cigarette smoke -- our skin’s structural integrity is compromised. 

 

Collagen Peptides are short chains of combinations of the hundreds of specific amino acids that make up 'collagen'.  There are 18 amino acids that appear in high concentrations, and 3 are considered 'key':  Glycine ('Gly'), Proline ('Pro'), and Hydroxyproline ('Hypro').  This trio of amino acids are present in unusually high concentrations  in fish-sourced collagen peptides.

 

How Collagen Peptides Are Made

 

Creating effective collagen supplements for the skin is more complex than one might think. 

The collagen molecule is the largest molecule in the body -- often called the 'super molecule' -- and its tightly wound 'triple helix' design is simply too big and too strong (stronger than steel by weight) to penetrate the surface of the skin, or be broken down by digestive enzymes and absorbed into the bloodstream when ingested. 

This makes it difficult for topical applications or collagen drinks and collagen powders containing plain 'collagen' to replenish collagen in the skin.  While moisturizers, serums, and collagen creams containing plain collagen may claim to support the body’s natural production of collagen, they can’t replace the collagen in your skin.  The same is true for any collagen supplement you ingest (be it a collagen powder, collagen pill or collagen drink) that contains plain, whole molecule 'collagen.'  The molecule is just too big to be absorbed and have any desired effect.

Fortunately, several years ago researchers at a large food processing company in Japan discovered a solution to this problem.  They invented (and patented) a technology to break apart the collagen ‘super molecule’ into tiny collagen pieces, using various enzymes and high-pressure steam, a process called "Hydrolysis".  The end product is nano-sized snippets of collagen fibers called "Hydrolyzed Collagen" -- now commonly referred to as "Collagen Peptides".

Thanks to the innovation of hydrolysis, collagen that has been 'hydrolyzed' into collagen peptides can now efficiently deliver these small, usable collagen peptides with key amino acids into our body when ingested, or applied topically.

  

Sources of Animal Collagen for Collagen Peptides 

 

Type I and Type III Collagen (for skin) are derived from:

• the skin and/or scales of fish ("Marine collagen"),
• or the bones, cartilage and/or hides of cows ("Bovine collagen"),

 

Type II Collagen (for joints) is made from bones and cartilage of animals:

• the bones of pigs ("Porcine collagen") or
• cartilage of chickens
• bones, cartilage and/or hides of cows ("Bovine collagen").

 

The majority of fish collagen is Type I collagen (90%), with some Type III collagen (10%).  Our own body's collagen is approximately 85% Type I and is the primary building block of our skin's structure -- which explains why Type I Collagen is considered to be the most desirable ingredient in the best collagen supplements, and most beneficial for skin care.  

 

Why Marine Collagen Peptides are Superior For Skin

 

When it comes to skin health and skin benefits, fish-sourced Type I collagen peptides are widely considered to be superior to bovine-sourced Type I collagen peptides, due to the lower molecular weight (smaller size molecule) of fish-sourced collagen peptides. 

A lower molecular weight means enhanced absorption, which translates into increased bioavailability.

The molecular weight (measured in 'Daltons') of a collagen molecule in its native state is approximately 300,000 Daltons ("Da").  By comparison, the molecular weight of Type I fish ('marine') hydrolyzed collagen ranges between 3,000Da and 8,000Da, with an average size of 5,000Da. 

This dramatic reduction in size -- by a factor of 60 -- is equivalent to going from trying to swallow a basketball to swallowing a peanut.   This is what enables fish/marine hydrolyzed collagen to be absorbed up to 1.5x more efficiently than bovine or other animal-sourced collagen.

Type I collagen peptides sourced from fish are processed from fish scales and/or fish skin -- parts of the fish that would otherwise be discarded, making them an environmentally responsible choice for collagen supplements.

Type I hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides are available in different grades, based on the type of fish and the part of the fish used.  

The most premium grade of Type I marine collagen peptides available today is produced in Japan by the same food processing company that invented (and patented) hydrolysis.  This highest quality collagen peptide is sourced from Red Snapper, a sustainably-sourced, deep-water fish wild-caught in the South Pacific Ocean, using 100% fish scales ONLY (NO fish skin).

 

Science In A Nutshell

 

Multiple clinical trials have confirmed that hydrolyzed collagen (collagen peptides), when ingested in a sufficiently high dose, are absorbed into the bloodstream at a high rate, with bioavailability >90%.

Once these collagen peptides enter the bloodstream in a high enough concentration, the body detects their presence and triggers the 'wound repair' response in the brain -- similar to when you cut your finger. 

The brain directs the collagen peptides and amino acids to be transported to the dermis layer of the skin, and sends a signal to reactivate the fibroblasts (the specialized 'collagen factory' cells in the dermis, and the primary player on the 'skin repair' team) to synthesize new collagen fibrils, using the high concentration of key collagen peptides present in the dermis as building blocks to grow the new collagen.

 

 

Why are Collagen Peptides Used for Anti-Aging Nutrition and Supplements?

 

The best Collagen supplements for skin can increase and improve the appearance of your skin’s elasticity, firmness, and hydration, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin will look younger and healthier, and you’ll be able to recover your skin’s natural glow. Clinical studies show ingesting collagen peptides help improve skin density, skin hydration, smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Do Collagen Peptide Supplements Provide Other Health Benefits?

 

In addition to the visible benefits of using collagen for skin, studies show taking collagen supplements could offer other health benefits. Studies have shown that collagen supplements may help treat osteoarthritis. Because these supplements allow collagen to accumulate in the cartilage, researchers believe this can help decrease the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis and can improve joint function.

Collagen can also help your gut function more effectively, reducing leaky gut and potentially helping your body naturally repair the lining of your gastrointestinal tract so it works properly. Finally, if you’ve noticed that your nails and hair have started to weaken and break easily, consuming collagen supplements can support your body’s production of this structural protein, reinforcing hair and nail strength.

 

Are Taut® Collagen Peptides Safe? 

 

As with anything you ingest or apply to your skin, it is very important to understand the safety profile and sourcing history of the collagen peptides contained in a supplement or topical product.

Taut collagen peptides are 100% safe and have the following profile:

• 90% Type I and 10% some Type III collagen
• 100% marine collagen derived from red snapper fish scales, wild caught from South Pacific Ocean.
• Optimum molecular weight - 5,000 Daltons
• Highest degree of purity - odorless, tasteless & colorless
• Tested for heavy metals, pesticides and contaminants
• Free from allergens and animal-borne diseases
• 'GRAS' status from FDA & Health Canada ("Generally Recognized As Safe")
• Sustainably sourced - traceable supply chain
• Manufactured In Japan 
• ISO9001 certified
• Obtained FDA import clearance
• Adheres to current Good Manufacturing Practices ('cGMP')
• Environmentally-friendly manufacturing process
• Certified Non-GMO