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The secret of collagen peptides' ability to keep your skin supple and your joints flexible lies in the collagen's amino acids. All proteins are made up of building blocks called amino acids. Each protein has a special combination of amino acids – the amino acid profile is what makes protein from fish different from e.g. protein from peas.
Collagen is special because it contains an abundance of three valuable amino acids that you don't find in the same amount in other foods:
These three amino acids are the keys to collagen's anti-aging effect in the body, and also contribute to more flexible and healthy joints, to better stomach and intestinal health! The list of collagen's positive effects can be made long!
Glycine, proline and hydroxyproline (Hyp) contribute to 57% of the total amino acids in the protein collagen , which accounts for a third of the proteins in animals and humans. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, which is important for maintaining the normal structure and strength of connective tissues, such as bones, skin, cartilage and blood vessels.
When you eat collagen (collagen can come from various sources such as fish, beef, pork or chicken and even eggs) your digestive system breaks down the collagen into amino acids. The amino acids enter the blood and travel throughout the body, to the places from which your body signals a need.
Glycine, proline and hydroxyproline that you get when you eat a collagen supplement - often end up in the fibroblasts, special cells in your skin and connective tissue. That's because your body's collagen has an almost identical amino acid composition to the collagen supplement you're taking. Collagen in the human body consists almost entirely of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, in relatively the same ratio as found in a collagen supplement . It is the combined power of these three amino acids that makes your collagen supplement effective.
A collagen supplement also increases your levels of elastin, another protein that maintains moisture and elasticity in the skin and joints. It is no surprise that taking collagen every day makes the skin more elastic and hydrated and reduces visible wrinkles or that collagen reduces activity-related joint pain in athletes.
When choosing your collagen supplement, always check to see if it is hydrolyzed collagen (also called “collagen peptides”). Hydrolyzed collagen is partially degraded. It is easier for the body to digest, which means you get maximum access to glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and the other valuable amino acids in collagen.
Choose a company or brand that you know is transparent about the content of their supplements. A company and product that is clear about where each ingredient comes from.
Always choose collagen from wild-caught fish, if you want to eat collagen for increased beauty and health.
Always choose 100% pure collagen peptides from fish or beef that also contain vitamin C (vitamin C is important for optimal collagen synthesis), without added artificial flavors, dyes, preservatives, or other substances that do not add any benefit to you.
