How to take Collagen Effectively

How does Collagen Supplementation Work?

Most supplements, for example vitamin C, work by increasing the amount of the substance available in the body. Once absorbed, the substance circulates throughout the body via the bloodstream. It can then enter cells through certain transporters, such as sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters (SVCTs), which are present in various tissues. Once in the cells the substance is used either directly, or as a catalyst, in biochemical reactions.

Collagen supplementation does not work in this way!

With collagen supplementation collagen peptides, small intact fragments of collagen, are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to various tissues, where they act as signalling molecules to stimulate the production of new collagen molecules. This occurs through a process called ‘collagenogenesis’, which involves the activation of fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen in the body.

How much collagen should I take daily?

To stimulate the production of collagen within the body, collagen peptides need to be absorbed whole into the bloodstream. However, both collagen and collagen peptide are proteins, and your digestive tract is extremely effective in breaking proteins down into their component amino acids.

There is a widespread belief that you need to take 10 grams of collagen peptide daily to successfully supplement. Although most collagen supplements quote this figure, in practice their daily dose contains between 5 and 10 grams of collagen peptide. However, these figures are a myth based on the daily quantity of collagen peptide used in the early research in the 1980’s.

At Ingenious, we successfully use a targeted daily dose of 627 milligrams of collagen peptide protected from the aggressive environment of the digestive tract by a specialist capsule thus ensuring its delivery into the bloodstream.

It is worth stating that, to date, no definitive research has been conducted to identify the precise quantity of collagen peptide required in the bloodstream to trigger collagenogenesis.

Although no definitive figure for daily collagen peptide consumption can be given; it can be stated that to be effective the collagen peptide must be protected from the aggressive environment of the digestive tract. Currently, this protection is only provided by INGENIOUS products.

Use of a smaller targeted quantity of collagen peptide also has significant environmental benefits in terms of:

• The quantity of source material needed to produce the collagen peptide
• The energy consumption used in hydrolysing the source collagen into collagen peptide

Can you take collagen with vitamins and minerals?

There are no known contraindications to undertaking collagen supplementation whilst supplementing with vitamins or minerals.

When is the best time to take collagen supplements?

The best time to take a collagen supplement is before bed. This is because while you sleep your body goes into repair mode thereby providing maximum benefit.

Conclusion

Although no definitive figure can be given as to the optimum daily dosage for collagen supplementation, it is important that the formulation is protected from the aggressive action of the digestive tract. If this is not done the collagen peptide will be broken down into component amino acids and not absorbed into the bloodstream as collagen peptides, as a result collagenogenesis will not take place. This supplementation is best undertaken just before bed as your body goes into repair mode as you sleep.