After writing the post on collagen, found here, I listened to a professional webinar on collagen. I wanted to share a few additional things about collagen that I learned. I also added this information to the bottom of the collagen substack under “collagen updates.”
The webinar provided research articles to support their claims, and I have shared these references at the end of this post.
Collagen Updates (June 2024)
The information below is from a professional product webinar I attended. The presentation included references for all points I shared below.
The Dose
Many collagen products have roughly 12 grams of collagen per serving. The literature indicates that this is insufficient to see results in hair, nails, skin, and joints. The collagen dose needs to be around 20 grams per serving once daily.
The Super Collagen Plus product by Neocell contains 12 grams of collagen; the directions state that you should take it once daily. Therefore, this product would not improve my skin, hair, and nails since it contains types I and III. I would need to take the product twice daily or use two scoops once daily instead of one and consume 24 grams of collagen. If I did that, the container would only provide one week of servings.
The Duration to See Results
Most people, including myself, will abandon a product if no changes are seen within four weeks. Like some other products, collagen results require patience.
Based on the research presented in the professional webinar, noticeable results take about 12 weeks, so don’t ditch the collagen after one or two months—give it more time.
Collagen Types
I said that taking collagen I and III together and away from type II is better for bioavailability as they can compete. I stated this based on information that I read.
Based on listening to the webinar, that may not entirely be accurate.
The company is promoting its new collagen product, so I take the claims with a grain of salt. Still, they provided much research to support adding bioactive silicon as stabilized orthosilicic acid (OSA) to the collagen, enhancing collagen synthesis and bioavailability. Therefore, the product can contain types I, II, and III together. They described the OSA as the glue to keep the collagen intake. This is a bioavailable monomeric silica, as opposed to polycondense silica, which has lower bioavailability.
The previous collagen post mentioned that collagen should still be hydrolyzed for bioavailability. The majority of products that I glanced at online do have collagen in this form.
Collagen Source
Also, while collagen can be sourced from marine life and animals, the webinar presenter indicated that bovine collagen might be the best-utilized source for humans for collagens I and III but indicated that eggshell membrane and sternum collagen are type II-rich sources. Eggshell membrane, that thin layer you can peel off the inner part of the eggshell, provides natural constituents of connective tissue, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and proteoglycans. Studies using eggshell membranes have shown it can also improve skin and hair.
Next Steps
Based on this information, I ordered the collagen powder advertised in the webinar. Each container has 20 servings. I plan on taking it once daily for 12 weeks and then report the results, if any, on my substack. As a post-menopausal woman not taking BHRT, I have wrinkles, thinning hair, and psoriatic arthritis, so I am interested to see if I get any improvements.
Update November 2024: I took the collagen daily, adding a scoop to my morning tea so it was easy to remember to consume. I continue to take it past the 12-week trial period because I have noticed less psoriatic arthritic pain.
However, I hoped it would improve the thinning hair on top of my head, which it has not. It does feel like the hair on my crown area is thicker, but that is not where I was concerned. Other postmenopausal women have started this collagen product for hair loss and have noticed improvements.
I have not noticed any visible facial signs, such as fewer wrinkles.
I continue to take it for joint reasons because I feel it has helped, and I want to remain active.
I also emailed the company asking whether they tested the collagen product for heavy metals. They responded immediately and stated that all products are tested for heavy metals. The company tests arsenic and lead for < 0.14 ug/kg b.w./day, cadmium for <0.09ug/kg, and mercury for <0.29 ug/kg.
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References from the webinar
1. Ouyang, Z., Dong, L., Yao, F., et al. (2023). Cartilage-Related Collagens in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Pathogenesis to Therapeutics. International journal of molecular sciences, 24(12), 9841. 2. Statzer, C., Luthria, K., Sharma, A., et al. (2023). The Human Extracellular Matrix Diseasome Reveals Genotype-Phenotype Associations with Clinical Implications for Age-Related Diseases. Biomedicines, 11(4), 1212. 3. Kim, D. U., Chung, H. C., Choi, J., et al. (2018). Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, PlaceboControlled Study. Nutrients, 10(7), 826. 4. Sorushanova, A., Delgado, L. M., Wu, Z., et al. (2019). The Collagen Suprafamily: From Biosynthesis to Advanced Biomaterial Development. Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), 31(1), e1801651. 5. Shin, J. W., Kwon, S. H., Choi, J. Y., et al. (2019). Molecular Mechanisms of Dermal Aging and Antiaging Approaches. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(9), 2126. 6. Price, C. T., Koval, K. J., & Langford, J. R. (2013). Silicon: a review of its potential role in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. International journal of endocrinology, 2013, 316783. 7. Jugdaohsingh, R., Tucker, K. L., Qiao, N., et al. (2004). Dietary silicon intake is positively associated with bone mineral density in men and premenopausal women of the Framingham Offspring cohort. Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 19(2), 297–307. 8. Jugdaohsingh R. (2007). Silicon and bone health. The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 11(2), 99–110. 9. Skov, K., Oxfeldt, M., Thøgersen, R., et al. (2019). Enzymatic Hydrolysis of a Collagen Hydrolysate Enhances Postprandial Absorption Rate-A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(5), 1064. 10. Mobasheri, A., Mahmoudian, A., Kalvaityte, U., et al. (2021). A White Paper on Collagen Hydrolyzates and Ultrahydrolyzates: Potential Supplements to Support Joint Health in Osteoarthritis?. Current rheumatology reports, 23(11), 78. 11. Larder, C. E., Iskandar, M. M., & Kubow, S. (2023). Collagen Hydrolysates: A Source of Bioactive Peptides Derived from Food Sources for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 10(9), 50. 12. Clark, K. L., Sebastianelli, W., Flechsenhar, K. R., et al. (2008). 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Current medical research and opinion, 24(5), 1485–1496. 13. Benito-Ruiz, P., Camacho-Zambrano, M. M., Carrillo-Arcentales, J. N., et al. (2009). A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of a food ingredient, collagen hydrolysate, for improving joint comfort. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 60 Suppl 2, 99–113. 14. Kviatkovsky, S. A., Hickner, R. C., Cabre, H. E., et al. (2023). Collagen peptides supplementation improves function, pain, and physical and mental outcomes in active adults. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 20(1), 2243252. 15. Zdzieblik, D., Oesser, S., Baumstark, M. W., et al. (2015). Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomised controlled trial. The British journal of nutrition, 114(8), 1237–1245. 16. König, D., Oesser, S., Scharla, S., et al. (2018). Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-A Randomized Controlled Study. Nutrients, 10(1), 97. 17. Barati, M., Jabbari, M., Navekar, R., et al. (2020). Collagen supplementation for skin health: A mechanistic systematic review. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 19(11), 2820–2829. 18. Hexsel, D., Zague, V., Schunck, M., et al. (2017). Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 16(4), 520–526. 19. León-López, A., Morales-Peñaloza, A., Martínez-Juárez, V. M., et al. (2019). Hydrolyzed CollagenSources and Applications. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 24(22), 4031. 20. Bagi, C. M., Berryman, E. R., Teo, S., et al. (2017). Oral administration of undenatured native chicken type II collagen (UC-II) diminished deterioration of articular cartilage in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis and cartilage, 25(12), 2080–2090. 21. Thompson, H. S., Harper, N., Bevan, D. J., et al. (1993). Suppression of collagen induced arthritis by oral administration of type II collagen: changes in immune and arthritic responses mediated by active peripheral suppression. Autoimmunity, 16(3), 189–199. 22. Martínez-Puig, D., Costa-Larrión, E., Rubio-Rodríguez, N., et al. (2023). 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Novel Hydrolyzed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Extract Improves Facial Epidermis and Connective Tissue in Healthy Adult Females: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 25(5), 12–29. 27. Ruff, K. J., Winkler, A., Jackson, R. W., et al. (2009). Eggshell membrane in the treatment of pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebocontrolled clinical study. Clinical rheumatology, 28(8), 907–914. 28. Ruff, K. J., Morrison, D., Duncan, S. A., et al. (2018). Beneficial effects of natural eggshell membrane versus placebo in exercise-induced joint pain, stiffness, and cartilage turnover in healthy, postmenopausal women. Clinical interventions in aging, 13, 285–295. 29. Cánovas, F., Abellán-Ruíz, M. S., García-Muñoz, A. M., et al. (2022). Randomised Clinical Trial to Analyse the Efficacy of Eggshell Membrane to Improve Joint Functionality in Knee Osteoarthritis. Nutrients, 14(11), 2340. 30. Kiers, J. L., & Bult, J. H. F. (2021). Mildly Processed Natural Eggshell Membrane Alleviates Joint Pain Associated with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of medicinal food, 24(3), 292–298. 31. Kalman, D. S., & Hewlings, S. (2020). The effect of oral hydrolyzed eggshell membrane on the appearance of hair, skin, and nails in healthy middle-aged adults: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 19(6), 1463–1472. 32. Rondanelli, M., Faliva, M. A., Peroni, G., et al. (2021). Silicon: A neglected micronutrient essential for bone health. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.), 246(13), 1500–1511. 33. Zhou, H., Jiao, G., Dong, M., et al. (2019). Orthosilicic Acid Accelerates Bone Formation in Human Osteoblast-Like Cells Through the PI3K-Akt-mTOR Pathway. Biological trace element research, 190(2), 327–335. 34. Ma, W., Wang, F., You, Y., et al. (2021). Ortho-silicic Acid Inhibits RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis and Reverses Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss In Vivo. Biological trace element research, 199(5), 1864–1876. 35. Sergent, T., Croizet, K., & Schneider, Y. J. (2017). In vitro investigation of intestinal transport mechanism of silicon, supplied as orthosilicic acid-vanillin complex. Molecular nutrition & food research, 61(2), 10.1002/mnfr.201600602. 36. Marcowycz, A., Housez, B., Maudet, C., et al. (2015). Digestive absorption of silicon, supplemented as orthosilicic acid-vanillin complex. Molecular nutrition & food research, 59(8), 1584–1589. 37. Petersen Vitello Kalil, C. L., Campos, V., Cignachi, S., et al. (2018). Evaluation of cutaneous rejuvenation associated with the use of ortho-silicic acid stabilized by hydrolyzed marine collagen. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 17(5), 814–820. 38. Geusens, P., Pavelka, K., Rovensky, J., et al. (2017). A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled multicenter study of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid in patients with symptomatic
Looking forward to hearing about the results.
I hate to disagree, but...we were on 10mg a day in morning coffee. Joints felt great. Hair was ridiculously thick again. Skin looked radiant! BUT...as I've stated before I can't do collagen. I don't digest/process protein properly. It makes me gain weight. ALOT of it. I'm taking steps with homeopathic MD to correct this issue. I recently bumped my husband down to 5 mg a day because, I believe it was Dr Mercola, stated 5 mg was plenty. Especially since he eats plenty of protein. He hasn't noticed joints hurting or any difference. I'm also not the only person who gains weight due to protein. I read an article where a personal trainer had a small group she'd put on collagen as part of her regime. She stated all were gaining weight and NONE were losing! If following her plan along with the workouts she lead them through no way they should have gained! She removed collagen from the mix and all started losing weight as planned! I got bigger than I'd EVER been except pregnant! Like 15 lbs bigger! In that I loved the other affects, but weight gain wasn't worth it! Everyone is different. To the skinny old men and women with sagging skin I'd say go for 20, but to the average joe 20-55 I'd say start with 5mg...you can always move up, but when that weight comes on it's HARD to lose! Just simply stopping the collagen you won't lose ONE pound! I had to fast and I keep moving ALLLLLL day! We use (he still uses) Native Path btw. It's Bovine 1 and 3. Unflavored you can't taste it one bit in anything and dissolves GREAT! I can't do Krill oil or Omega 3's either. It is what it is. 🤷♀️