How to choose the best collagen supplement

The collagen in our bodies is broken down daily by free-radical damage and sun exposure – so we lose 1% of collagen per year after the age of 25.

It is this modern knowledge that has created an interest in how we can slow down this process. Unfortunately, moisturisers are only a temporary fix – gravity, ageing and sun exposure will do their damage anyway.

And lifestyle choices also have an impact on how we outwardly age – it’s common knowledge that cigarette smoking contributes to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin.

Fine lines and wrinkles are a part of life and there is no way to avoid them entirely – but you can give your skin the best chance possible by seeking out scientifically proven methods of bringing out beauty from within.

There is a plethora of collagen supplements on the market – and this is set to grow even more in the next three years. So when choosing a collagen supplement, what should you be looking for?

There are three main types of dietary collagen out there – and Type 1 collagen is known to be the best, comprising 90% of skin, hair, nails, organs, bone and ligaments.

Type 1 collagen can be found in four main sources; marine (fish), bovine (cow), porcine (pig) and fowl (chicken).

The pros of choosing a marine collagen supplement is that peptides from fish are considered to be superior in raising all over body collagen to improve skin, hair, nail and bone quality. For this reason – marine collagen peptides cost more than other sources of collagen – ever heard the saying ‘you get what you pay for’?

However, it was in Absolute Collagen’s ethos to make sure that ‘beauty isn’t pocket deep’, so we keep our prices as cost-effective as possible for the end consumer – almost half the price of our main competitor.

Bovine, porcine and fowl collagen are lower cost and highly accessible – BUT studies show they do not raise overall collagen levels in the body as effectively as marine – and some consumers steer clear of animal-sourced products.

In order for collagen to work effectively once taken, it is also imperative to look at any supporting nutrients when choosing a supplement.

Vitamin C plays a critical role in collagen synthesis and activates the body’s own mechanisms for producing collagen – so is paramount to a collagen supplement.

Definitely avoid products with fillers (ie: maltodextrin), oils or binders – and try to avoid those with ‘plastic’ coatings. A recent study reported in Environmental Health Perspectives reported that the plastic coatings of many supplements contain ‘phthalates’ which have been linked to health problems.

Finally – look at the amount of pure hydrolysed collagen in each product, usually measured in grams. The higher the amount of collagen per dose – the more effective the supplement will be.