Are collagen supplements worthwhile?

IN THIS ARTICLE

01 What is collagen
02 What is collagen made from
03 Is there vegan collagen
04 What does science say about collagen supplements
05 How to really stimulate collagen production
06 Why the vegan collagen set is the better choice
07 How to effectively slow down collagen breakdown
08 Conclusion: Is it worth taking collagen supplements?

Has the hype about collagen supplements reached you?
What the science says.

Perhaps you’ve already stumbled across the countless collagen supplements that are spreading all over the market. Smoother skin, fewer wrinkles, stronger hair and nails – these powders and pills promise it all. Many influencers swear by them, and even friends tell you how great their skin looks after a few weeks. But does collagen really deliver what it promises? Or are there alternatives that might work even better and are also ethically justifiable? Let’s take a closer look at the topic.

What is collagen anyway?

Collagen is a protein – more precisely, the most common protein in the human body. It is an essential part of the connective tissue that supports skin, bones, tendons, cartilage and blood vessels. It could therefore be regarded as the scaffolding that holds our body structures together. More than 30% of all protein in the human body is collagen, and there are over 28 different types. The most important for skin, hair and joints are types I, II and III. Over time, natural collagen production decreases – a completely natural part of ageing. The skin becomes flabbier, wrinkles form and the joints can also start to ache. This is the point at which many people turn to collagen supplements in the hope of combating ageing. But before we talk about supplements, let’s take a quick look at what collagen is actually made from. Spoiler: It’s not as appetizing as you’d like it to be.

What is collagen made from?

Most collagen supplements come from animal sources, especially offal such as cow, chicken or fish skin, bones and cartilage. Maybe not something you want on your breakfast table, right? # These parts are hydrolyzed – i.e. broken down into smaller peptides and thus destroyed so that the body can theoretically absorb them more easily. So in the end, it’s normal proteins and amino acids from these offcuts that you absorb with a collagen product and not really collagen.

Is vegan collagen available?

Here comes the disappointment: there is no such thing as vegan collagen. As collagen is a protein that only occurs naturally in animal organisms, it is not vegan by definition. What does exist, however, are vegan alternatives that aim to stimulate the body’s own collagen production. These alternatives are often based on nutrients such as vitamin C, amino acids and plant extracts that stimulate the fibroblasts in the body – our body’s own collagen factories – to produce more collagen themselves.

What does science say about collagen supplements?

This is where science comes into play. Unfortunately, there is no incontrovertible evidence to date that taking collagen supplements actually leads to a measurable improvement in skin texture or joint health. Many of the existing studies are either too small, have no control groups or were funded by the collagen industry itself, making the results questionable. The theory behind the supplements is that the collagen taken is absorbed in the gut in the form of peptides and then transported to the areas of the body that need it – for example, the skin. However, many experts question whether these peptides even reach the right place or are simply digested and broken down into amino acids like any other protein. While there is evidence that collagen supplements may have a small positive effect on skin hydration and elasticity, the evidence is nowhere near as strong as the marketing claims would have you believe. In fact, it makes much more sense to focus on a diet rich in the building blocks your body needs for collagen production – amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants and a few special botanicals that boost your collagen production.

How to really stimulate collagen production

Before you consume destroyed collagen fibers from slaughterhouse waste every day, which may never become new collagen, you should consider alternatives. Because a smart way to get more collagen is through fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are special cells in the connective tissue that are responsible for collagen production. They can be activated by various factors, including a healthy diet, certain nutrients and plant-based ingredients. So if we stimulate the fibroblasts, more collagen is produced – and this can happen without any animal products. You need the following active ingredients for this:

• Protein-rich diet: Your body needs amino acids such as glycine, proline and hydroxyproline to produce collagen.
  You can find these in plant-based protein sources such as pulses, nuts, seeds and wholegrain products.
  A good plant-based protein powder with a complete amino acid profile can also support you here.
• Ceramides: These lipids, which you will find in the “Timeless Skin Anti-Wrinkle Complex” from Ogaenics, stimulate collagen production in the deep layers of the skin.
  They also support the skin’s barrier function and help to retain moisture, which also contributes to a rejuvenated complexion.
• Vitamin C: This powerful antioxidant plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis.
  It supports the stabilization and cross-linking of collagen fibres, which leads to firmer skin.
• Zinc and copper: Both trace elements are essential for collagen production as they act as cofactors for certain enzymes involved in the formation and cross-linking of collagen fibers.
• Hyaluronic acid: Studies have shown that hyaluronic acid can stimulate fibroblasts at a molecular level to produce more collagen.
  It acts as a kind of “booster” for these cells by sending out signals that increase collagen production.
  You can find a botanical version of hyaluronic acid in the Beauty Fuel Skin Radiance Complex from Ogaenics.
• Antioxidants: Secondary plant substances such as OPC (e.g. in the Beauty Fuel Skin Radiance Complex from Ogaenics) protect your skin’s own collagen from damage caused by environmental influences, i.e. free radicals.

Why the “Vegan Collagen Set” is the better choice

While many swear by collagen supplements from animal sources, it is becoming increasingly apparent that plant-based alternatives are not only more sustainable, but also just as effective. The Vegan Collagen Set from Ogaenics provides everything your body needs to boost natural collagen production – without the ethical concerns associated with animal products. Timeless Skin contains plant-based ceramides that moisturize the skin from the inside out and strengthen the skin’s barrier function. Ceramides act as fibroblast boosters that stimulate collagen production. However, ceramides also appear to have an effect on the fibroblasts, i.e. the collagen-forming cells. In one study, ceramides increased the collagen content of the skin by 50% after 3 months – without any animal products. Beauty Fuel provides the building blocks your body needs to produce new collagen itself, stimulates the fibroblasts to produce more collagen with plant-based hyaluronic acid and inhibits collagen breakdown. Thanks to the synergistic effect of Timeless Skin and Beauty Fuel, you get all the important nutrients and active ingredients that keep your skin, hair and nails healthy and beautiful. You support your natural beauty from the inside out – completely vegan, sustainable and without animal ingredients.

How to effectively slow down collagen breakdown

As you get older, your body’s collagen production naturally decreases. At the same time, harmful environmental influences such as UV radiation or air pollution have a destructive effect on existing collagen. Protecting your existing collagen is therefore just as important as stimulating the production of new collagen. Here are some effective tips on how you can effectively prevent collagen degradation:

• Sun protection is the be-all and end-all: UV radiation is considered one of the biggest collagen killers.
  Sunlight releases free radicals that break down collagen and accelerate skin ageing.
  You should therefore apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day – even on cloudy days or in winter.
  Also avoid direct sunlight and stay away from sunbeds to protect your skin optimally.
• Quit smoking for firmer skin: Smoking is one of the biggest enemies of your collagen.
  The chemicals in cigarettes damage collagen fibers and prevent your body from producing new collagen.
  Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to slow down the breakdown of collagen.
  Just a few months after quitting, the health of your skin will visibly improve.
• Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates: A high-sugar diet leads to what is known as glycation, a process in which sugar molecules bind with collagen fibers and harden them.
  The result is a loss of elasticity and accelerated wrinkle formation.
  By reducing sugar and refined carbohydrates in your diet, you can slow down the breakdown of collagen and delay skin ageing.
• Antioxidants are your allies: Free radicals contribute significantly to collagen breakdown.
  Antioxidants help to neutralize these aggressive molecules and thus prevent the breakdown of collagen.
  You can get antioxidants from your diet as well as from supplements, such as the Beauty Fuel Skin Radiance Complex or the Cellular Life Antioxidant Complex from Ogaenics.
  There are also effective antioxidants in skin care products that can be applied topically.
• Get enough sleep for skin regeneration: While you sleep, your skin regenerates and produces new collagen.
  A lack of sleep disrupts this process and accelerates the breakdown of collagen.
  Make sure you get enough sleep – ideally between 7 and 9 hours a night – to give your skin the time it needs to regenerate.
• Stress management for firmer skin: Chronic stress increases the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which inhibits collagen production and accelerates skin ageing.
  To minimize this effect, you can integrate techniques such as meditation, yoga or breathing exercises into your daily routine.
  Support is also provided by the Adapto Genie Balancing Complexwhich helps you to cope better with stress and thus maintain your collagen production.

With these proven strategies, you can not only slow down the breakdown of collagen, but also protect your collagen levels and keep your skin firm, healthy and youthful for longer.

Conclusion: Is it worth taking collagen supplements?

So if you’re thinking about trying collagen supplements, you should ask yourself a few questions: Are you willing to consume animal products that often come from less appetizing sources such as slaughterhouse waste? Is there enough scientific evidence for you personally to justify the potential benefits of these supplements? The truth is: there is no magic pill against aging. Science largely agrees that living a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet and avoiding UV damage is the best way to keep your skin young and glowing for a long time. If you still want to use supplements, you can of course do so. There are plant-based alternatives that not only boost your collagen production, but are also ethical and sustainable. You’ll likely get the same or even better results by eating enough protein, incorporating the important collagen synthesis nutrient cofactors, antioxidants and ceramides found in the Vegan Collagen set into your daily routine.