What is collagen made of?

We want to approach understanding what collagen is made of in two ways. These are:

1. The sources of collagen.
2. The scientific make up of collagen.

It is important to know these things for those with dietary requirements so that they can navigate the collagen space and select a supplement that is in line with their religious or personal values.

As well as this, to understand and be aware of what you are putting into your body.

Where does collagen come from?

First of all collagen is either naturally created in your body through what is called collagen synthesis of amino acids or it is supplemented into your diet through hydrolysed collagen powders or tablets.

Here we will focus on the collagen that is supplemented in to your diet. This type of collagen, known as collagen peptides (which is a tablet or powder), will have been created using collagen from an animal source.

The majority of collagen options on the market are sourced from the following animal groups, and by doing are so, have different types of collagen:

1. Bovine collagen – This is sourced from beef, more specifically cow hides, bones, and muscles.
2. Marine collagen – This is mainly sourced from fish, but can also be sourced from invertebrates such as jellyfish, sponges, sea urchins and octopus.
3. Poultry collagen – This is sourced from chicken, so bones, cartilage and tissues.
4. Porcine collagen – This is sourced from pig skin.
5. Ovine collagen – This is sourced from sheep skin, as well as bones, and other by-products, like the gut.

The reason why collagen is sourced from animals is because it is the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom with at least 30% of a mammals protein content in the body being collagen, making it easily accessible.

Now for those looking to add collagen to their diet, it is very important to make sure wherever you are buying it from that:

1. You buy the collagen which mainly has the type with the benefits you are looking for e.g. to aid joint pain, improve skin health or muscle growth.
2. It aligns with your religious (halal or kosher), preferential or ethical dietary requirements.
3. You can be careful if you have any particular allergies.
4. You are mindful of the cost, buy within your budget and change when you are more aware of exactly what your body needs.

The scientific make up of collagen

Collagen is made up of only 3 amino acids which are proline, glycine and hydroxyproline.

Hydrolysed collagen is when the by products from one or more of the above sources is taken and put through a manufacturing process to break the existing collagen down.

This results in smaller chains of amino acids which allows the amino acids to be more effectively digested into your body.

Hydrolysed collagen is what you typically find in collagen peptides, which is another name for tablets, powders and liquids.

Once the amino acids are in your body, it puts them through a process called collagen synthesis which is how the amino acids are pulled together, resulting in collagen which is then used around the body (again depending on the type of collagen you take).

At this point your body not only needs the amino acids to create collagen, but also nutrients to give it the best opportunity, this is why a balanced diet which includes Vitamins C and E is important.